Effects of Repetitive Multiaxial 3-dimensional Rotation Training on Vestibulo-ocular Reflex

Hwang, Sang Ho; Kim, Keun Su

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The parameters of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) are believed to indicate the quantitative value of vestibular function and the differences in them are related to the susceptibility of motion sickness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive multiaxial 3-dimensional rotation training on VOR parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to 3 different groups according to the mode of exercise training. Aerotrim exercise was done as a method of repetitive multiaxial 3-dimensional rotation training. The changes in VOR parameters after 9 weeks of exercise training in Aerotrim training group were compared with that of other groups.
RESULTS
While the values of VOR gain in Aerotrim training group after 9 weeks of exercise training were significantly lower than baseline values at rotation frequencies of 0.01, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 Hz, values of VOR gain in other groups showed no difference between before and after exercise training. In all groups, there were no significant differences in VOR phase and symmetry values between before and after exercise training.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that VOR parameters changed after 9 weeks of repetitive multiaxial 3-dimensional rotation training, and vestibular habituation might eventually occur. Since vestibular habituation is known to contribute to mitigating the frequency and the degree of motion sickness, we suggest that repetitive multiaxial 3-dimensional rotation training can be used as the countermeasure for student pilots or astronauts, who are often exposed to unusual motion and positional status in actual 3-dimensional space.