Acceptability and feasibility of a vestibular nerve stimulation headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy

Karen Mc Connell; Daniel Topley; Jason McKeown; Claire Kerr

doi:10.1186/s12887-021-03093-1

Acceptability and feasibility of a vestibular nerve stimulation headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy

Karen Mc Connell
, Daniel Topley
, Jason McKeown
, Claire Kerr

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

74 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS: Children aged 5-18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS: Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89-100% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a 'non-active' headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an 'active' headset may increase participation in future research.

Original language	English
Article number	34
Number of pages	8
Journal	BMC Pediatrics
Volume	22
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-03093-1
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 11 Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Medical Research Council’s Project to Discovery Fund. The funder had no role in the study design, conduct, data collection, data analysis or dissemination of findings.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Funding

Funding Information: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council’s Project to Discovery Fund. The funder had no role in the study design, conduct, data collection, data analysis or dissemination of findings. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

Cerebral palsy
Vestibular nerve stimulation
Balance

Access to Document

10.1186/s12887-021-03093-1Licence: CC BY

McConnell et al 2022 VeNS Feasibility StudyFinal published version, 1 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Acceptability and feasibility of a vestibular nerve stimulation headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).METHODS: Children aged 5-18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.RESULTS: Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89-100\% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.CONCLUSIONS: Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a 'non-active' headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an 'active' headset may increase participation in future research.",

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note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council{\textquoteright}s Project to Discovery Fund. The funder had no role in the study design, conduct, data collection, data analysis or dissemination of findings. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, The Author(s).",

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AU - Kerr, Claire

N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by the Medical Research Council’s Project to Discovery Fund. The funder had no role in the study design, conduct, data collection, data analysis or dissemination of findings. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).

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N2 - BACKGROUND: Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).METHODS: Children aged 5-18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.RESULTS: Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89-100% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.CONCLUSIONS: Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a 'non-active' headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an 'active' headset may increase participation in future research.

AB - BACKGROUND: Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).METHODS: Children aged 5-18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.RESULTS: Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89-100% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.CONCLUSIONS: Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a 'non-active' headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an 'active' headset may increase participation in future research.

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KW - Vestibular nerve stimulation

KW - Balance

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JO - BMC Pediatrics

JF - BMC Pediatrics

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Acceptability and feasibility of a vestibular nerve stimulation headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

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Keywords

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Acceptability and feasibility of electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation in children with cerebral palsy

A systematic review of vestibular stimulation in cerebral palsy

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