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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Published on: August 30, 2019
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in healthy control subjects using the head rotation method
Jason A Beyea1, Anthony G Zeitouni
1Department of Otolaryngology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
Objective:
To evaluate the methodology for vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, with a focus on the usefulness of the head rotation as a means to tense the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. Our goal was to obtain normative data for our site and methodology.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting:
Outpatient otolaryngology clinic.
Methods:
P rospective study. Volunteers without an otologic history were selected. While sitting, the volunteer rotated his or her head away from the tested ear so as to tense the ipsilateral SCM. While the SCM was tensed, the volunteer was presented with loud clicks. Responses were averaged.
Main Outcome Measures:
VEMP positive (pI) wave latency and amplitude, VEMP negative (nI) wave latency and amplitude, and volunteer ability to perform the head rotation method.
Results:
In healthy controls, average P1 latencies (milliseconds) were 12.58 +/- 0.39 and N1 latencies were 21.88 +/- 0.40. Average P1 amplitudes (microvolts) were 20.48 +/- 1.94 and N1 amplitudes were -25.56 +/- 2.21. VEMP amplitudes were less consistent in patients with limited neck strength.
Conclusions:
VEMPs can be elicited from the majority of volunteers. The test is easy to perform, and it is only mildly uncomfortable for most patients using the head rotation method.
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