The patterns of anti-compensatory saccades of the SHIMP paradigm can differentiate vestibular migraine from healthy individuals.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to characterize the HIMP and SHIMP test findings in individuals with vestibular migraine.

Method: The study comprised two groups- group I consisted of twenty five adults diagnosed with Vestibular migraine, and group II comprised twenty-five age matched healthy individuals. HIMP & SHIMP were administered using the ICS impulse system for both groups.

Results: Mann-Whitney U test revealed a significant difference (p< 0.05) in VOR gain and VOR suppression gain between the vestibular migraine and healthy individuals. All the subjects in the vestibular migraine group manifested either of the four patterns of anti-compensatory saccades (ACS): (a) bilaterally absent ACS, (b) bilaterally scattered ACS or (c) typical ACS on one side with scattered ACS on the other side (d) unilaterally absent ACS. On the other hand, all the healthy individuals exhibited the presence of an organised ACS bilaterally.

Conclusion: VOR pathway is affected in individuals with vestibular migraine. Also, various patterns of ACS are more effective in identifying the subtle vestibular lesion in vestibular migraine. These patterns are useful in differentiating vestibular migraine from healthy individuals.