[Influence of neck vibration on body sway]

To investigate the influence of the cervical input to the equilibrium, the effect of neck vibratory stimulation on body sway was analyzed in 49 normal human subjects. Body perturbations during standing posture were recorded by a force platform with or without vibratory stimulus on the upper cervical region, and analyzed by computer. During the neck vibratory stimulation, the center of gravity was shifted to the forward, and the amplitude of the body sway was increased especially along the front-rear axis. These results indicate that the proprioceptive inputs from the cervical receptors largely modifies the body equilibrium in normal subjects.