Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2005 Dec;48(12):1447-1451.

Effects of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on the Subjective Visual Vertical

• Bae SH
• Kim BM
• Choi HS
• Kim KS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to determine the otolithic effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation on the perception of subjective visual vertical in normal subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fifteen normal subjects were selected on the basis of medical history and neurological examination. We measured subjective tilt of a central vertical line during galvanic vestibular stimulation (0, 1.0, 2.5, 4.0 mA). Binaural and monaural electric current was applied to each subject's mastoid and forehead for vestibular stimulation. RESULTS: Anodal stimulation of the right mastoid led to clock-wise subjective visual vertical. Anodal stimualtion of the left mastoid led to counter clock-wise subjective visual vertical. There was a correlation between the amount of the measured parameter and the strength of the applied current. More consistent parameters were obtained from the binaural stimulation than the monaural stimualtion. CONCLUSION: Galvanic vestibular stimulation had effects on the vestibular functions, making changes in the subjective visual vertical. Since the galvanic stimulation had consistency with the direction of the stimulation and was proportionate to the intensity, it is thought to be a useful method for assessing otolith functions.

Keyword

Electric stimulation; Subjective visual vertical; Otolith

MeSH Terms

Electric Stimulation
Forehead
Mastoid
Neurologic Examination
Otolithic Membrane