Insight into postural control in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular hypofunction.

This pilot study aimed to identify postural strategies in response to sensory perturbations (visual, auditory, somatosensory) in adults with and without sensory loss. We tested people with unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction (N = 12, mean age 62 range 23-78), or with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss (USNHL, N = 9, 48, 22-82), or healthy controls (N = 21, 52, 28-80). Postural sway and head kinematics parameters (Directional Path in the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions (sway & head); pitch, yaw and roll (head) were analyzed in response to 2 levels of auditory (none, rhythmic sounds via headphones), visual (static, dynamic) and somatosensory cues (floor, foam) within a simulated, virtual 3-wall display of stars.

Relevance of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale to Urban Community-Dwelling Adults With Diagnosed Vestibular Dysfunction.

Objective: To determine how relevant the items on the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale are to patients living in an urban setting and to evaluate additional items relevant to urban populations but not included in the current version of the scale.

Design: Cross-sectional clinical survey.

Setting: Urban, tertiary vestibular rehabilitation clinic.

Immediate Improvement in Subjective Visual Vertical and Disequilibrium Predicts Resolution of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Following Single Canalith Repositioning Maneuver.

Objective: To evaluate whether immediate post-canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) vestibular changes are predictive of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) resolution.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Postural and Head Control Given Different Environmental Contexts.

Virtual reality allows for testing of multisensory integration for balance using portable Head Mounted Displays (HMDs). HMDs provide head kinematics data while showing a moving scene when participants are not. Are HMDs useful to investigate postural control? We used an HMD to investigate postural sway and head kinematics changes in response to auditory and visual perturbations and whether this response varies by context.

Contextual sensory integration training via head mounted display for individuals with vestibular disorders: a feasibility study.

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) interventions can simulate real-world sensory environments. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a novel VR application (app) developed for a Head Mounted Display (HMD) to target dizziness, imbalance and sensory integration in a functional context for patients with vestibular disorders. Here we describe the design of the app as well as self-reported and functional outcomes in vestibular patients before and after participating in vestibular rehabilitation using the app.

Weighting and reweighting of visual input via head mounted display given unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction.

We translated a well-established laboratory paradigm to study sensory integration into a Head-Mounted-Display (HMD). In the current study, a group of 23 individuals with unilateral vestibular dysfunction and 16 age-matched controls observed moving spheres projected from the Oculus Rift. We confirmed increased visual weighting with an unstable surface and decreased visual weighting (i.

A virtual reality head stability test for patients with vestibular dysfunction.

Background: The contribution of visual information to standing balance in patients with vestibular dysfunction varies between patients. Sensitive tools to detect kinematic response to visual perturbation are needed to individualize treatment.

Objective: Using the Oculus Rift headset and sensors, we developed a novel virtual reality (VR) test of head stability (HST) in response to visual perturbation.

An Oculus Rift Assessment of Dynamic Balance by Head Mobility in a Virtual Park Scene: A Pilot Study.

Postural sway does not differentiate between balance disorders. Head kinematics within a salient, immersive environment could potentially help identifying movement patterns that are unique to vestibular dysfunction. We describe a virtual park scene, where participants are asked to avoid a virtual ball approaching their head, to target dynamic balance and quantify head movement strategy.

Control Mechanisms of Static and Dynamic Balance in Adults With and Without Vestibular Dysfunction in Oculus Virtual Environments.

Background: Deficits in sensory integration and fear of falling in complex environments contribute to decreased participation of adults with vestibular disorders. With recent advances in virtual reality technology, head-mounted displays are affordable and allow manipulation of the environment to test postural responses to visual changes.

Objectives: To develop an assessment of static and dynamic balance with the Oculus Rift and (1) to assess test-retest reliability of each scene in adults with and without vestibular hypofunction; (2) to describe changes in directional path and sample entropy in response to changes in visuals and surface and compare between groups; and (3) to evaluate the relation between balance performance and self-reported disability and balance confidence.

Feasibility and reliability of a virtual reality oculus platform to measure sensory integration for postural control in young adults.

Background: Using Unity for the Oculus Development-Kit 2, we have developed an affordable, portable virtual reality platform that targets the visuomotor domain, a missing link in current clinical assessments of postural control. Here, we describe the design and technical development as well as report its feasibility with regards to cybersickness and test-retest reliability in healthy young adults.

Method: Our virtual reality paradigm includes two functional scenes ('City' and 'Park') and four moving dots scenes.

Vestibular rehabilitation following mild traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance are a symptom complex that is commonly found following concussion. Early metabolic changes following concussion may lead to worsening of the injury and symptoms in individuals not properly managed from the outset. When symptoms do not recover spontaneously, skilled vestibular rehabilitation can be an effective modality in an attempt to normalize the individual's vestibular responses.

Special tools for the assessment of balance and dizziness in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Although a majority of patients following minor traumatic brain injury recover to their pre-morbid functional level, persistent activity and participation limitations can occur in the refractory patient. These long-term consequences of brain injury may only become apparent months to years after the injury. In order to quantify these long-term sequella, laboratory, clinical and functional outcome measures may not only identify needed areas of treatment, but may also assist in determining the impact of the treatment on the individuals function.