Impact of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Anxiety Level in Young Adults

Abstract

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive method used to stimulate the vestibular system. The vestibular system includes the sensors, neural pathways, vestibular nuclei and the cortical areas receiving integrated vestibular inputs. In addition to its role in postural control or gaze stabilization, the vestibular system is involved in some cognitive functions and in emotion processing. Several studies have revealed a modulating effect of vestibular stimulation on mood state, emotional control, and anxiety level. Nevertheless, GVS is known to induce motion sickness symptoms such as nausea. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of a GVS protocol to be used potentially as a treatment for anxiety, and also to test the impact of stimulation parameters (duration) on anxiety. Twenty-two students underwent three stimulation conditions: (1) a sham session (no stimulation); (2) a single-duration session (38 min of GVS); and (3) a double-duration session (76 min of GVS). Before and after each stimulation, participants completed a Graybiel Scale form for motion sickness symptoms evaluation and a visual analog scale form for anxiety. We observed a significant diminution of anxiety level after a 38-min session of GVS, while a low level of motion sickness was only found following a 76-min session of GVS. Our preliminary study confirms the feasibility of using GVS to modulate anxiety and corroborates the involvement of the vestibular system in the emotional process.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation and its applications: a systematic review

“…: not informed Čobeljić et al 45 2018/Belgrade (Serbia) Descriptive cross-sectional 7 individuals with complete spinal cord injury Intensity: 4 mA GVS to determine changes in clinical and biomechanical measures of spasticity Freq. : not reported Time: 15 s Pasquier et al 46 2019/Caen (France) Descriptive cross-sectional 22 individuals with a history of anxiety Intensity: 1 mA To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of GVS in the treatment of anxiety Freq. : not informed Dilda et al 47 2012/New York (United States) Descriptive cross-sectional 120 healthy subjects Intensity: from 1 to 5 mA To evaluate the effects of GVS on cognition Frequency: from 0.16 to 0.61 Hz Hilliard et al 48 2019/Dresden (Germany) Descriptive cross-sectional 47 healthy subjects Intensity: from 0.25 to 1.25 mA To evaluate the effects of GVS on spatial learning and memory Freq.…”

“… 36 Among the central diseases, Parkinson's disease, 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 central ischemic lesions 43 , 44 and motor myelopathies stand out. 45 GVS is also applied in anxiety disorders 46 and to improve cognition 47 and memory. 48 , 49 This advance in research on the use of GVS in clinical practice stems from favorable characteristics for its usage, such as objectivity, safety, easy performance, low cost, fastness and minimal discomfort for the patient.…”

Vestibular Stimulation in Neuropsychiatry

“…They observed a significant decrease in anxiety after a 38 minute session. The polarity of the galvanic stimulus changed 4 to 8 times depending on the duration of the stimulus [34].…”

Effectiveness of 6 weeks vestibular exercises practice on depression, anxiety, stress, and memory in hypertensive working women

“…It has been used as a therapy for management of anxiety in earlier days. 4 The negative emotions are associated with decrease in the memory if not managed effectively. 5,6 Vestibular stimulation was known to improve memory effectively.…”