Background: In a previous study on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we showed that vestibular dysfunction derived from cerebral disorders contributes to balance disorders. No previous clinical study has attempted to prevent the progression of balance disorders in dementia patients through vestibular stimulation using an air caloric device.

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to delay the progression of balance disorders by inducing vestibular compensation, specifically by utilizing the effect of vestibular stimulation to activate the cerebrum.

Methods: Fifteen individuals were randomized and classified into a stimulation group or a nonstimulation group. Eight AD patients underwent vestibular stimulation every 2 weeks for 6 months in the stimulation group. Seven AD patients participated in the nonstimulation group (the control group). Both groups were subsequently evaluated using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), stepping test, caloric test, and smooth pursuit eye movement test just before starting the study and 6 months later.

Results: For balance parameters, the various tests did not show any significant differences between the two groups. However, in the stepping test, the decline rate tended to be higher in the nonstimulation group than in the stimulation group. The stimulation group’s rate of decline in MMSE scores was lower than that of the nonstimulation group (p=0.015). No adverse events were tracked during the present study.

Conclusion: Repeated vestibular stimulation might help patients retain greater balance and higher function. To prove these effects, the future clinical application will require an increased number of cases and longer periods of vestibular stimulation. This study showed that vestibular stimulation by air caloric device is safe and tolerable in patients with AD.

背景：在之前的一项关于阿尔茨海默病（AD）的研究中，我们发现由脑部疾病引起的前庭功能障碍会导致平衡障碍。之前没有临床研究尝试通过使用空气热量装置刺激前庭来预防痴呆症患者平衡障碍的进展。

目的：这项初步研究的目的是通过诱导前庭代偿，特别是利用前庭刺激的作用来激活大脑，从而延缓平衡障碍的进展。

方法：将 15 名个体随机分为刺激组或非刺激组。刺激组有 8 名 AD 患者每两周接受一次前庭刺激，持续 6 个月。七名 AD 患者参加非刺激组（对照组）。随后，在研究开始前和 6 个月后，两组均使用简易精神状态检查 (MMSE)、步进测试、热量测试和平滑追踪眼动测试进行评估。

结果：对于平衡参数，各项测试均未显示两组之间存在任何显着差异。然而，在踏步测试中，非刺激组的下降率往往高于刺激组。刺激组MMSE评分下降率低于非刺激组（p=0.015）。在本研究期间没有追踪到任何不良事件。

结论：重复前庭刺激可能有助于患者保持更好的平衡和更高的功能。为了证明这些效果，未来的临床应用将需要更多的病例和更长的前庭刺激时间。这项研究表明，空气热量装置刺激前庭对于 AD 患者来说是安全且可耐受的。