Sunday, 18 August 2019

Stimulation Therapy in the Ear May Help to Reduce Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease is becoming exceedingly common in older adults. It’s a chronic and progressive condition which damages and negatively affects parts of the brain. The NHS estimates that there are around 130 000 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s disease – which basically boils down to 1 in every 500 people!

Until recently, treatment options for the affliction have been quite limited, but new research has unveiled a beacon of hope for sufferers. It is important to note that this research is still very much in its infancy stages, but there definitely seems to be a connection between regular ear stimulation therapy and a significant reduction in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The Study

The study has been conducted by the University of Kent and has followed a randomized, controlled methodology. The ultimate finding is that those sufferers who received ear stimulation therapy for two months, twice a day, reported a substantial reduction in both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Almost all of the participants (46 in total) found that the stimulation encouraged improved mobility and allowed them to see an improvement in their attention span, decision-making, memory, overall mood and quality of sleep. Many also reported that they were better able to perform regular day-to-day activities and duties once the two-month study came to a close.

What is also important to note is that many of the alleged benefits of the therapy were greatest five weeks following the end of treatment. This suggests that the therapy may have long-lasting effects.

Professor David Wilkinson at Kent's School of Psychology, the lead professor of the study said, "This study raises the intriguing possibility that some aspects of Parkinson's disease may be better managed if traditional drug-therapies are combined with gentle, non-invasive stimulation of the balance organs."

Since the results were released to the public, a number of other scientists, medical professionals and professors have also weighed in. "The results from this small-scale study are very exciting. While more research is needed to better understand how delivering this kind of non-invasive stimulation to the nerve in the ear works, it holds a lot of promise to relieve troublesome symptoms that many with Parkinson's experience," commented Dr Beckie Port, Research Manager at Parkinson's UK.

Who knows what this discovery could mean for people living with Parkinson’s and elderly care at home going forward? We look forward to keeping an eye on how it develops.

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