Harmonic versus impulsive acceleration testing of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in normal humans

Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was tested in 9 normal humans by using both harmonic (sinusoidal) and impulsive (post-rotatory) angular accelerations. VOR gain and main time constant were 0.49 +/- 0.20 and 15.48 +/- 2.26 s, respectively, when computed from sinusoidal responses, 0.45 +/- 0.17 and 14.28 +/- 3.07 s when computed from impulse responses. Paired comparison could not prove statistically significant differences between the two sets of data. The conclusion is drawn that, in normals, equivalent information about VOR static and dynamic characteristics can be derived from either harmonic acceleration or post-rotatory tests.