Clinical vestibular research

Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a debilitating neuro-otological disorder characterized by a persistent sensation of self-motion. It can be triggered by exposure to motion, such as being on a boat, or occur spontaneously. Due to the unknown pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this condition, current treatment options for symptom management are limited. At the ENT departmentof Sint-Augustinus Hospital, we provide a standard treatment protocol that is now recognized as the most established approach for managing MdDS. This treatment consists of optokinetic stimulation (OKS) combined with a fixed head roll at 0.167Hz, administered over three consecutive days in the OKS booth.

Investigating the treatment’s effectiveness 

In a recent study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the standard treatment by analysing the subjective and objective outcome measures captured for 131 MdDS patients. From our results, we could conclude that the treatment is successful in significantly reducing the swaying sensations MdDS patients experience continuously.

Virtual reality application as worldwide accessible treatment tool

To enhance accessibility and reduce costs, we have developed a virtual reality application based on this standard treatment, which can be accessed through an online platform by patients worldwide. 

MRI imaging to unravel underlying mechanism 

In addition to offering treatment, we are dedicated to advancing our understanding of MdDS through clinical trials. We have conducted MRI scans of patients before and after treatment to assess its effects on the brain and compare these findings to scans from healthy controls to elucidate the neural characteristics of MdDS.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) as innovative treatment approach 

Our latest approach involves the use of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) for MdDS patients. Given that patients often experience relief from symptoms during passive transportation (such as car rides), we hypothesize that GVS, which delivers small electrical stimulations to the vestibular system to mimic sensations of movement, could serve as a therapeutic alternative to passive transport.

Duration: 2020 - present