Vestibular stimulation frequency for altering spasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy

Mechanical vestibular stimulation for reducing spasticity is not yet well understood. It is crucial to identify the proper characteristics of mechanical stimulation needed to impact the otoliths. Therefore, vestibular stimulation was provided to 1 child with cerebral palsy (CP) and motor changes were evaluated with the Pendulum Knee Drop test (PKD), along with surface EMG before and after stimulation. The vestibular stimulation consisted of 7.5 cm of vertical oscillation at frequencies of 2 Hz and (5, 10, 15) minutes and 1 Hz and (5, 10, 15). The data in this study suggest that mechanical vestibular stimulation resulted in reduced muscle tone at both stimulation frequencies (1 and 2) Hz. Stimulation provided for 15 minutes at 2 Hz has a largest impact on the level of spasticity in an individual with CP.