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Showing posts from April, 2018

BEYOND BALANCE: The Vestibular / Sensorimotor Connection

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Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change or adapt both physically and functionally throughout life. It is the change in morphology of neurons in response to various internal and external stimuli. “Let us assume that the persistence or repetition of a reverberatory activity (or "trace") tends to induce lasting cellular changes that add to its stability.[…] When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite a cell B and repeatedly or persistently takes part in firing it, some growth process or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A's efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased." ---Donald Hebb, 1949 The Organization of Behavior   Current knowledge of neuroplasticity suggests that it is possible to intentionally induce morphological changes in the brain with strategies involving goal-directed experiential activities.   These strategies involve repetitious stimulation of the sensorimotor system to provide the brain wit

BEYOND BALANCE: Parkinson's Disease and Vestibular Stimulation

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Parkinson's Disease makes mobility increasing difficult and robs many of the ability to accomplish routine tasks that rely on fine motor skills such as brushing teeth or buttoning a shirt. Studies have shown that vestibular stimulation can have a positive impact on several aspects of Parkinson's Disease. /span> Here are links to three studies: Tamlin, Belinda , Kim McDonald, Margaret Correll, Margaret H. Sharpe. The Immediate Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Gait in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. 1993. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair.Vol 7, Issue 1, pp. 35 – 39 Van Vaerenbergh, Jo & Vranken, Ria & Baro, Frans. (2003). The influence of rotational exercises on freezing in Parkinson's disease . Functional Neurology. 18. 11-6. Wafaa Abdel-Hay El-Kholy, Hesham Mohamed Taha, Soha Mohamed Hamada, Mona Abdel-Fattah Sayed, Effect of different modes of therapy on vestibular and balance dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, In Egyptian Journal

BEYOND BALANCE: Learning/Developmental Delay and Vestibular Stimulation

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Numerous studies have shown that children with developmental delays and learning disabilities benefit from vestibular stimulation and sensory motor therapy  -- providing them opportunity for better success in academic learning, relationships, daily routine, and interacting with peers.  Here is a handful of the many research citations available: L. Eugene Arnold, David L. Clark, Larry A. Sachs, Stephanie Jakim, Chris Smithies; Vestibular and Visual Rotational Stimulation as Treatment for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity . Am J Occup Ther 1985;39(2):84-91. doi: 10.5014/ajot.39.2.84. Amel E. Abdel Karim; Amira H. Mohammed   Effectiveness of sensory integration program in motor skills in children with autism , Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, ISSN: 1110-8630, Vol: 16, Issue: 4, 2015, Page: 375-380   Grabherr, Luzia and Macauda, Gianluca and Lenggenhager, Bigna, The Moving History of Vestibular Stimulation as a Therapeutic Intervention . Multisensory Research ,

BEYOND BALANCE: Vestibular Stimulation and PTSD

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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after exposure to a potentially traumatic event that is beyond a typical stressor. Events that may lead to PTSD include, but are not limited to, violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, combat, and other forms of violence. Many military personnel are routinely exposed to unique circumstances and situations that put them at risk for injury and exposure to trauma resulting in PTSD.  Learn more at https://vestibular.org/military Because PTSD often manifests as vestibular dysfunction, vestibular stimulation and therapy are considered as means to address its symptoms. Here are several studies about PTSD concerning cognition, and the vestibular system. NPR: War Studies Suggest A Concussion Leaves The Brain Vulnerable To PTSD, September 26, 2016, Morning Edition. O. Haber, Yaa & Chandler, Helena & Serrador, Jorge. Symptoms Associated with Vestibular Impairment in Veterans with Posttraumat

GyroStim and Sports Performance : Major League Baseball

This puts a new spin on hand eye coordination! Absolute rush going through a few protocols/exercises! I would consider this prepping for #readyplayerone video game play! #lookoutfuture #gyrostim A post shared by Cole Hamels (@colehamels) on Apr 10, 2018 at 11:32am PDT

GyroStim and Sports Performance: Mixed Martial Arts and UFC

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Recently, up and coming MMA fighter, Grant Neal of Denver Colorado won the title bout in the TuffNUff Rising Stars of the MMA competition. Prior to the fight,  Grant trained tirelessly in his gym, worked to cut weight sensibly and prepare for the biggest fight of his career to date. He also trained in GyroStim two to three days each week several weeks before the fight, working on his reaction speed, discernment, hand eye coordination and overall ability to perceive, process, and react to what was going on around him.  It seems to have worked out.