Vertigo & migraine has new hope: place this device on neck

Vertigo/ dizziness & headache sufferers due to acute vestibular migraine hope to get relief by just applying an electrical stimulator over the neck, according to a recent study. The electrical stimulator is a non-invasive device that anyone can use at home and is available under the name of GammaCore. The research done at the university of texas was published online in The journal Neurology. Researchers claimed that nVNS (Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation) may provide rapid relief of vertigo and headache in acute Vestibular Migraine.

In this article, we will try to understand how this research was carried out and what findings made researchers conclude this. But, let’s first try to understand what is vestibular migraine and its associated vertigo.

What is Vestibular migraine

Vestibular migraine is the most common neurological cause of vertigo in adults and it does not always cause a headache. For most patients, vestibular migraine is an episodic disorder; however, the duration of attacks ranges from seconds to days. It is commonly seen in females and the symptoms include:

1. Spontaneous vertigo—ie, an illusory sensation of motion of self or surround, Dizziness induced by head movement, Positional vertigo, or gait instability.
2. Visual motion sensitivity
3. Hearing loss,
4. Migrainous symptoms such as photophobia or phonophobia.

Episodes of vestibular migraine can be brought about by triggers including menstruation, irregular sleep, stress, physical exertion, dehydration, food and drinks, and intense sensory stimulation.

Research methodology

It is a retrospective study conducted between November 2017 and January 2019. A total of 18 participants were recruited with a mean age of 14 years. Out of 18 participants, 16 were females. 14 of them were treated for acute vestibular migraine (VM) by placing the device (nVNS) against their neck for two minutes during an attack.

Patients graded the severity of vestibular symptoms and headache using an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS; 0 = no symptoms, 10 = worst-ever symptoms) before and 15 minutes after nVNS.

Result

In those with acute VM, vertigo improved in 13 of the participants. The mean vertigo intensity before nVNS was 5.2, and after the application of electrical stimulation, it reduced to 3.1, clearly indicating a 47% reduction in VM. Five participants experienced headaches with the VM attack; all reported 63.3% reduction in following nVNS.

How this (nVNS) electrical stimulator works

The US and UK government-approved electrical stimulator (for this purpose) is called GammaCore. Electrical stimulation like IFT (Interferential Therapy), and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is already an integral part of physical therapy in the treatment of various musculoskeletal pain including serious conditions such as sciatica.

GammaCore works by stimulating the vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is responsible for all the sensation and movement of facial muscles and jaws (biting, chewing).

Vestibular migraine treatment at home using GammaCore

This video demonstrates how to use GammaCore at home. In addition to this, there are exercises for vertigo which may prove to be beneficial in vertigo.

Keep Reading: How to Cure Vertigo Permanently? These tips & exercises would help

Sunit. S. Ekka

Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.