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Acute VOR gain differences for outward vs. inward head impulses
Michael C Schubert1, Georgios Mantokoudis2, Li Xie3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Journal of Vestibular Research : Equilibrium & Orientation
|January 8, 2015
Summary
Vestibular rehabilitation specialists found no difference in angular vestibular ocular reflex (aVOR) gain for inward versus outward head rotations in patients with acute vestibular loss. This suggests flexibility in prescribing gaze stability exercises for vestibular patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physical Therapy
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Vestibular rehabilitation is key for managing gaze instability, often involving head rotations.
- Gaze stability exercises are standard, even with unilateral vestibular loss.
- Limited research exists on acute angular vestibular ocular reflex (aVOR) gain differences during ipsilesional head rotations (away from or towards center).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare acute aVOR gain during outward versus inward passive head rotations in patients with unilateral vestibular pathology.
Main Methods:
- Video head impulse test equipment recorded head and eye velocity.
- Patients (n=7) had unilateral vestibular pathology (tumor resection or labyrinthectomy).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in ipsilesional aVOR gain was observed for inward or outward head rotations.
- Ipsilesional aVOR gain showed an inverse correlation with head velocity, but not for contralesional rotations.
Conclusions:
- Ipsilesional aVOR can be assessed using head impulse rotations in either direction in the acute phase post-vestibular ablation.
- Physical therapists can prescribe both ipsilesional and contralesional gaze stability exercises during the acute recovery stage.
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