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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception

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Testing human otolith function using bone-conducted vibration.

I S Curthoys¹, A M Burgess, H G MacDougall

¹School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ianc@psych.usyd.edu.au

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|August 4, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Forehead bone-conducted vibration elicits ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs). The n10 oVEMP component reflects otolithic function and is altered in vestibular loss patients.

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Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Measurement of Vibration Detection Threshold and Tactile Spatial Acuity in Human Subjects

Published on: September 1, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Otolaryngology
Vestibular System Research

Background:

Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) are a diagnostic tool for evaluating vestibular function.
Bone-conducted vibration (BCV) is a method for stimulating the vestibular system.
The n10 component of oVEMP is a key metric in assessing otolithic function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the utility of forehead BCV for eliciting oVEMPs.
To characterize the n10 oVEMP response in healthy individuals and patients with vestibular loss.
To determine the otolithic specificity of the n10 oVEMP component.

Main Methods:

BCV applied to the forehead (Fz) to stimulate mastoids.
Recording of oVEMPs using surface EMG electrodes below the eyes.
Analysis of the n10 oVEMP component's amplitude and symmetry in different subject groups.

Main Results:

oVEMPs were elicited by forehead BCV in healthy subjects.
The n10 oVEMP component was symmetrical in healthy individuals.
In unilateral vestibular loss (uVL) patients, n10 was reduced contralaterally, while in bilateral loss, it was absent.
Guinea pig studies suggest selective activation of otolith neurons by low-intensity BCV.

Conclusions:

Forehead BCV is effective in eliciting oVEMPs.
The n10 oVEMP component is a sensitive indicator of otolithic function and vestibular integrity.
oVEMP testing with BCV can differentiate between healthy individuals and those with varying degrees of vestibular loss.