Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2000 Aug;43(8):826-829.

Effect of Test Sequence on Caloric Response in Dizzy Patients: A Prospective Randomized Study

• Byun SW

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: lt has been suggested that the sequence of stimuli (right, left, warm and cold) might affect the slow phase velocity (SPV) of the caloric nystagmus in binaural bithermal caloric tests. This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of order of stimuli in caloric tests.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and two patients with dizziness have completed the test during the investigation period. The order of stimuli was selected in randomized and prospective manner. Statistically, the SPV from the first stimulus (SPV1) was compared with that from the second (SPV2).
RESULTS
In the overall responses, the SPV from a warm stimulus was stronger than that from a cold stimulus. The SPV1 was more intense than SPV2 in a warm/warm/cold/cold sequence and warm/cold (nystagmus direction opposing)any/any sequence. A reverse result was observed in cold/warm (nystagmus direction enhancing) any/any sequence.
CONCLUSION
The sequence of cold/cold/warm(nystagmus direction opposing) warm would have a minimal order effect on a caloric test.

Keyword

Caloric test; Order effect

MeSH Terms

Caloric Tests
Dizziness
Humans
Nystagmus, Physiologic
Prospective Studies*