Effects of caloric vestibular stimulation on head and trunk movements during walking

The effects of vestibular stimulation on head and trunk movements were investigated during human walking (4.0 km/h). Vestibular stimulation was produced by irrigating an external auditory meatus with 4 degrees C ice water for 10 s. Using a 3-D motion analysis system, the linear (medial/lateral and vertical) translations and angular (yaw, pitch and roll) rotations were determined at the head, thorax, pelvis, knee, and foot. After caloric stimulation, waking trajectory deviated toward the stimulated side during dizziness. In addition, the amplitude of medial/lateral (M/L) linear translation and yaw rotation were significantly increased by caloric stimulation, especially at the head and thorax, whereas changes in vertical translation and pitch and roll rotations were not significant. The compensatory coordination (i.e., the yaw rotation to oppose the M/L linear translation) of the head was precisely maintained both before and after caloric stimulations, but it was decreased at the thorax and pelvis after stimulation. Our results suggested that vestibular sensory information, probably via the horizontal semicircular canals, contributes predominantly to the regulation of dynamic head and trunk movements in the M/L direction.