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Sense of direction in vestibular disorders
Alexander I G Moore1, John F Golding1,2, Anastasia Alenova1
1Department of Brain Sciences, Neuro-otology Unit, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Journal of Vestibular Research : Equilibrium & Orientation
|March 15, 2024
Summary
Sense of direction (SOD) is impacted by vestibular disorders, particularly central and functional types, more than peripheral ones. Spatial anxiety strongly correlates with orientation abilities in all individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System Function
- Human Spatial Navigation
Background:
- Sense of direction (SOD) integrates visual and self-motion cues from vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
- Vestibular disorders can significantly impair sensory integration, affecting spatial orientation.
- The impact of specific vestibular dysfunctions on SOD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how vestibular system dysfunction affects perceived SOD across various vestibular disorders.
- To explore the influence of dizziness, migraine, and psychological symptoms on SOD in patients and controls.
- To differentiate the effects of peripheral versus central/functional vestibular disorders on SOD.
Main Methods:
- 87 patients with vestibular disorders and 69 controls were evaluated.
- Validated questionnaires assessed symptoms and sense of direction (SOD).
- Included the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale and Object Perspective test.
Main Results:
- Vestibular disorder patients showed significantly worse group-level SOD than controls.
- Central and functional disorders (vestibular migraine, persistent postural perceptual dizziness) significantly differed from controls.
- Peripheral disorders (BPPV, VBF, Meniere's disease) did not show significant group differences.
- Orientational abilities strongly correlated with spatial anxiety, separate from general dizziness and psychological factors.
Conclusions:
- SOD is more affected by functional/central vestibular diagnoses than peripheral dysfunction.
- Higher-level disruptions in central vestibular processing networks impact SOD more than reduced peripheral sensory input.
- Spatial anxiety is highly associated with orientational abilities in both patient and control groups.
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