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Design and preliminary evaluation of a VR-based optokinetic stimuli system for vestibular rehabilitation: insights
Korak Sarkar1,2,3,4,5,6,7, Kathleen Delpy1,2, Summer Skelton1,3,4
1Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, United States.
Background:
Vestibular therapy is essential for treating dizziness and balance disorders. There is growing evidence supporting the benefits of incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) into vestibular therapies.
Objective:
To gather feedback from neuro-rehabilitation specialists on an optokinetic virtual environment (OVE).
Methods:
An OVE modeled after the traditional optokinetic drum was developed for commercially available VR headsets and tested by practicing vestibular therapists. Participants completed a Likert-based survey and semi-structured interviews to assess their perceptions of the OVE. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Results:
Ten therapists with an average of 9 years of clinical experience (range: 3-15 years) participated from October 2024 to March 2025. The likelihood of using the OVE in clinical practice was rated highly, with Likert scores ranging from 6 to10 (median = 9), where 10 indicated a high likelihood. Five key themes emerged for potential improvements: (1) Clinical Usability and Setup, (2) Control and Customization, (3) Immersive Design and Realism, (4) Output and Measurement Preferences, and (5) Implementation Barriers.
Conclusion:
Vestibular rehabilitation clinicians expressed strong interest in utilizing VR-based optokinetic stimuli. Feedback from this study will inform iterative, user-focused application improvements. Future studies will test the improved OVE with patients to evaluate tolerance, efficacy, and usability.
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