Improving self-motion perception and balance through roll tilt perceptual training.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vestibular System
• Perceptual Learning

Background:

• Vestibular perceptual thresholds correlate with postural sway.
• Vestibular noise is a potential contributor to postural instability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if vestibular perceptual learning improves roll tilt self-motion perception.
• To determine if such training enhances balance performance.

Main Methods:

• Two groups (n=10 each) underwent 1,300 trials of roll tilt training over 5 days at 0.2 Hz or 0.5 Hz with feedback.
• Roll tilt perceptual thresholds and quiet stance postural sway were measured before and after training.

Main Results:

• Training significantly improved 0.2-Hz and 0.5-Hz roll tilt thresholds in the 0.2-Hz group.
• The 0.5-Hz group improved 0.2-Hz thresholds; neither group improved at 1 Hz.
• The 0.5-Hz training group showed reduced postural sway in eyes-open and eyes-closed foam conditions.

Conclusions:

• Vestibular perceptual training can improve roll tilt perception with less than 5 hours of practice.
• Vestibular perceptual training may reduce subclinical postural instability.
• Vestibular noise contributes to postural sway, and training can mitigate this effect.