J Korean Bal Soc.  2003 Dec;2(2):211-220.

The study of galvanic vestibular stimulation in patients of total unilateral vestibular loss

• Kim HJ
• Kim CW
• Lee WS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to observe the nystagmus of totally unilateral vestibular function loss on galvanic vestibular stimulation and the diagnostic value of galvanic vestibular stimulation. Additionally we wanted to evaluate which portions may be stimulated by galvanic vestibular stimulation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We evaluated the three parameters of galvanic stimulation in fourteen patients with totally unilateral vestibular function loss, 1)spontaneous nystagmus, 2)galvanic stimulating nystagmus, 3)Post galvanic stimulating nystagmus through 3-dimensional video-oculography technique.
RESULTS
When negative electrode was attached to the intact side, The nystagmus on galvanic vestibular stimulation was directed to the negative electrode side in all patients and post galvanic stimulating nystagmus was directed to the opposite side but on functional loss side, we couldn't detect any nystagmus on galvanic vestibular stimulation and in 10 patients, post galvanic stimulating nystagmus was observed and directed to the intact side.
CONCLUSIONS
Galvanic vestibular stimulation is very useful for evaluating the vestibular function and for diagnosing the vestibular disease.

Keyword

Galvanic stimulation; Vestibular function

MeSH Terms

Electrodes
Humans
Vestibular Diseases