A Change of Electrogastrography Pattern Following Thermal Stimulation on The Vestibular System

Nah, Yong Ho; Choi, Suck Chei; Seo, Geom Seog; Kim, Jin Ah; Lee, Moon Young; Kim, Min Sun; Park, Byung Rim

Abstract

Background/Airns: It has been known that motion sickness cause gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, oculomotor and postural asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to characterize the changes of electrogastrographic patterns elicited by thermal stimulation of the vestibular system.
METHODS
Thirty three subjects (age:21-30, M: 20, F:13) wete divided into three groups: the group I (n=11) was treated with single ice water stimulation (3C) on unilateral vestibular system (ICE), group II (n=l 1) with single cold water (C, 30C) and warm water (W, 43C) stimulation (CW), and group III (n=11) with 2 times cold and warm water stimulation on bilateral vestibular systems (CCWW). Gastric electrical activity was recorded by using EGG with Ag-AgCl cutaneous electrodes.
RESULTS
Gastric symptoms such as gastric discomfort, nausca, and vomiting after these thermal stimulations were not observed in the group I. However, the symptoms developed in 4 subjects of the group II (36%) and 11 subjects of the group III (82%). Thermal stimulation in the group II and III increased percentage of tachygastria (goup II, 16.4+/-3.7 to 36.9+/-6.7; group III, 15.6+/-4.8 to 35.0 +/-6.8) and decreased significantly percentage of 3 CPM (group II, 78.7+/-3.7 to 53.9+/-6.8; group III, 80.6+/-5.0 to 49.0+/-8.0)(p<0.05). Canclusions: These results suggest that thermal stimulation of the peripheral vestibular system induce motion sickness symptoms, and tachygastria is more prominent in the presence of gastric symptoms.