The Effect of Galvanic Stimulation on vHIT and VEMP Tests

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Introduction: Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is a well-established technique with a history spanning over a century, primarily used to manipulate the vestibular system. Recent interest has surged in its potential for understanding human vestibular function and aiding in functional recovery. GVS applies electrical currents to the mastoid region, modulating vestibular afferents, and induces specific effects based on the participant's posture and current polarity. While GVS's impact on the central nervous system and its potential to aid in functional recovery have been studied, its immediate effects on vestibular reflexes remain less explored. Methods: In this study, thirty healthy adult participants underwent ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests, as well as the velocity Head Impulse Test (vHIT) before and immediately after one hour of GVS application. Statistical analyses were performed to assess changes in VEMP and vHIT results.

Official Title
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The Effect of Galvanic Stimulation on vHIT and VEMP Tests

Conditions
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Vestibular System Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: No history of hearing loss and/or balance disorders No physical (neck) problems No history of psychological or neurological disorders Not using alcohol and/or vestibular suppressant drugs regularly Feeling balanced in daily life Exclusion Criteria: History of hearing loss and/or balance disorders Physical (neck) problems History of psychological or neurological disorders Using alcohol and/or vestibular suppressant drugs regularly

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 22 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Device: Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation|Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive technique that uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the vestibular system, affecting balance, posture, and eye movements. It has applications in research, clinical assessment, and rehabilitation of vestibular and balance-related issues, as well as potential applications in cognitive and motor function enhancement.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cervical Vestibuler Evoked Myogenic Potentials | Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are muscle reflexes that occur in response to high-intensity acoustic stimuli delivered to the ear. These responses can be easily recorded using surface electrodes placed on the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) or near the inferior oblique muscle . | 5 months | 
| Ocular Vestibuler Evoked Myogenic Potentials | Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are muscle reflexes that occur in response to high-intensity acoustic stimuli delivered to the ear. Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) recorded from surface electrodes placed under the eyes. | 5 months | 
| Video Head Impulse Test | The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is responsible for stabilizing images on the fovea during head movement. The velocity Head Impulse Test (vHIT) battery is a standard test for measuring head and eye movements, enabling the calculation of the gain of eye speed. The vHIT system typically employs light goggles to monitor eye position through cameras, along with a gyroscope to measure angular head movements, facilitating the computation of VOR gain. | 5 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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galvanic vestibular stimulation, VEMP, vHIT