Where can I get information about tongue stimulation to assist cognitive and balance rehabilitation?

Hi and thanks for your question!

I am not aware of any therapies that use tongue stimulation for cognitive rehab, however, the release of popular writer Norman Doidge’s new book Rewired:Learning to Tame a Noisy Brain (or, how you can use the power of neuroplasticity), has brought electrical tongue stimulation into the media spot light.

Doidge says that electrical stimulation of the tongue will fire up the brain stem which plays an important role in balance. A google search of ‘tongue stimulation for balance’  also brings up many articles, but there is not yet any hard evidence to prove that it is an effective treatment.

There are many different causes for balance problems and also different treatments. Common causes are weakness on one side of your body, loss of sensation, damage to your cerebellum or brain stem (areas that control balance), reduced confidence and lack of concentration. Other less common causes are dizziness, reduced co-ordination of the muscles, reduced vision and medication side-effects.  A physio can assess you and help determine the cause of the balance problem and then advise on the treatment that will suit you best.

Here is a link for our fact sheet for Movement and Exercise After Stroke, where balance and treatment are discussed.

Here is a booklet on Balance Problems After Stroke by the Stroke Association in the UK.

Here is a booklet on preventing falls.

Please call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 from Mon-Fri 9am-5pm if you would too discuss it further and we would be happy to speak with you.

Best wishes,

Melita (StrokeLine)