None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Mal de Debarquement Syndrome is a rare condition whereby the person has continued perception of rocking and imbalance, usually occurring after a cruise, aircraft flight, or other sustained motion event. In many cases this continued perception of motion recedes after several hours or days. However in some cases persistent Mal de Debarquement Syndrome will last for years and decades. It has only recently received attention and very little scientific research has been conducted. However, the limited research to date has suggested that this condition is due to changes in excitability within the brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of repetitive brain stimulation on people with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. Individuals with this condition will receive eight sessions of repetitive brain stimulation, an established and safe technique, versus sham. Tests of brain excitability, balance testing, and self-reported perception of balance in daily activities will be undertaken prior to and at the end of the brain stimulation intervention, with self-reported perception of balance in daily activities followed up at six and eight weeks post intervention. It is hypothesised that those who received the real brain stimulation treatment will reduce symptoms in imbalance compared to those receiving sham. It is also hypothesised that brain excitability will reduce in those receiving the real treatment compared to sham treatment.
Interventions
Individuals with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) will receive eight treatments of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, twice per week for four weeks. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation will be administered using a Magstim Rapidstim system with a 70 mm figure of eight air-cooled coil applied to the left dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex. To identify the correct region, patients will wear a snug fitted cap, fitted to individual anatomical landmarks (anteriorly at the glabella,
Individuals with Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) will receive eight treatments of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, twice per week for four weeks. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation will be administered using a Magstim Rapidstim system with a 70 mm figure of eight air-cooled coil applied to the left dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex. To identify the correct region, patients will wear a snug fitted cap, fitted to individual anatomical landmarks (anteriorly at the glabella, posteriorly at the occipital protuberance and laterally at the external auditory meatus). The cap is pre-marked areas from the accepted 10-20 electroencephalography system with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at region F3. The repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment will be at a frequency of 10 Hz, of 45 sets of 40 pulses per set (4 seconds duration per set) and a rest period per set of 26 seconds. Overall the duration of each visit will be 30 minutes (which includes patient set up).
Sponsors
Deakin University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
These participants will be otherwise healthy but experience symptoms of a persistent sensation of motion usually described as rocking, swaying, or bobbing; and difficulty maintaining balance.
Exclusion criteria
Children and/or young people <18 years, people with an intellectual or mental impairment, and people highly dependent on medical care or unable to communicate in English.
Outcome results
None listed