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We propose a new interface concept; Proprioceptive Menu with Tactons, an eyes- and ears-free menu in a proprioceptive space that uses a set of Tactons to describe its menu items. While previous proprioceptive menus utilized vibrotactile feedback only to express the boundary between menu items, we spot an unexplored possibility that distinct vibrotactile stimuli, Tactons, can be used to describe the status of each menu item. As an instance of this concept, we present WristMenu with Tactons, an eyes- and ears-free menu using a one-dimensional proprioceptive space of the axial wrist rotation. Users can grasp an overview of each menu item's status through Tactons delivered on their wrist skin and eventually decide to select the desired item. Our evaluation study showed that users could find a target item among five candidates and recognize its status in 5 seconds on average at the accuracies of 93% and 86% in seated and walking conditions, respectively. Through our evaluation, we could confirm the feasibility of the proposed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo (SHLV) and vestibular neuritis (VN) can result in prolonged dizziness. This study aimed to compare the video head impulse test (vHIT) of patients with SHLV and VN. Fifteen patients with SHLV and 21 patients with VN who visited the Vertigo/Dizziness Center of our hospital between December 2016 and February 2023 were included. vHIT was performed at the time of admission, and the VOR gain and catch up saccade (CUS) in the three types of semicircular canals (SCCs) were analyzed. Pathologic vHIT results were observed most frequently in the posterior SCC (73%), followed by lateral (53%) and anterior (13%) SCCs in the SHLV group. In contrast, pathologic vHIT results were observed most frequently in the lateral SCC (100%), followed by the anterior (43%) and posterior SCC (24%) SCCs in the VN group. Pathological vHIT results in the lateral and posterior SCC showed significant differences between the two groups, but for anterior SCC, no significant differences were found. Comparison of the two vHIT results revealed differences in the SCC dysfunction patterns. This may be due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms of the two vestibular disorders, which may result in prolonged vertigo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vestibular stimulation causes postural unsteadiness accompanied by a sensation of tilt. The mechanism of the sensation of tilt needs to be assessed by accurate calculation of the rotational axis of torsional eye position under various vestibular stimulations. Twenty-two healthy subjects participated in the study. Thirteen subjects underwent bilateral vestibular stimulation by on-axis yaw rotation under various head positions, and eighteen subjects underwent unilateral vestibular stimulation by caloric irrigation under various head positions. Listing's Plane was plotted for the eye movement data obtained by three-dimensional video-oculography. The offset of Listing's Plane showed sustained deviation of torsional eye position that was more prominent in head positions that stimulated lateral semicircular canals more than vertical semicircular canals. There was a less prominent and directionally reversed offset in head positions that stimulated vertical canals more than lateral semicircular canals. The sustained torsional eye position was validated by accurate assessment using Listing's Plane. The mechanism behind the deviation may be due to a combination of multiple anatomical components within the vestibular apparatus, with potentially stronger influence from lateral semicircular canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic cervico- (COR) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) contribute to stabilise visual images in the retina. The gain in dynamic COR is small in healthy individuals but increases in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Conversely, static COR has not been directly observed in healthy individuals. To elucidate the presence of static COR and quantify it in normal individuals in the roll plane. Eleven healthy participants were included in the study. Eye torsions were measured using video oculography to evaluate the static COR induced by lateral neck flexion during a head-upright-with-body-tilt position at 15°, 30°, and 45°. The ocular counterroll (OCR) was compared during whole-body and head tilts to assess the influence of static COR on OCR. Static COR was significantly observed as eye torsion in the direction opposite to the body tilt. The head tilt OCR was significantly smaller than the whole-body tilt OCR to the right side but not to the left side. Static COR exists in healthy individuals and tends to show higher amplitude as neck flexion stimulation increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a chronic and potentially very disabling condition. The impact of the vestibular loss on quality of life (QoL) is variable and still up for discussion. However, previous studies have reported that BVP has a negative impact of QoL. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and saccade pattern and patient reported QoL. Ten patients fulfilling the Bárány criteria of BVP were included in the study. All patients underwent vestibular evaluation using Head Impulse Paradigm (HIMP) and Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) and responded to Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). DHI was used as a measurement for QoL. Linear regression revealed a tendency to a correlation between lateral VOR-gain measured by HIMP or SHIMP and total DHI score. Covert saccades were related to low total DHI scores. No association was found between type of SHIMP saccade and QoL. No significant correlations were found. A tendency was found towards a relationship between lateral VOR-gain by HIMP or SHIMP and total DHI score. The study also indicates that covert saccades are related to low impact on QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to devise a novel test for assessing the cervico-ocular reflex (COR) system via head vibration (termed h-COR) or neck vibration (termed n-COR) method. Thirteen patients with complete loss of bilateral vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) showing oscillopsia were assigned to Group A, while 13 patients with bilateral VOR loss but no oscillopsia were Group B. Another 13 healthy elderly served as a control. The COR test was performed via modifying the ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) test by tapping at the forehead with head rotation (h-COR) or at mid-dorsal neck with head straight (n-COR). Both h-COR and n-COR tests displayed similar cI–cII waveforms. None of the Group A or healthy elderly showed present h-COR, while 8% of Group A and 31% of the healthy elderly revealed present n-COR. In contrast, present h-COR and n-COR were elicited in 85 and 77% of Group B, respectively. Restated, significantly higher response rate of COR in Group B (without oscillopsia) than Group A (with oscillopsia) indicates that present COR is related to the alleviation of oscillopsia. Head vibration method (h-COR test) is superior to neck vibration method (n-COR test) for assessing the COR system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:To identify the tests and tools used to evaluate vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in all age groups and across TBI severity. Methods: An electronic search was conducted to include relevant peer-reviewed literature published up to November 2019. Studies included those done with humans, of all ages, and had assessments of oculomotor and/or vestibulo-ocular function in TBI. Results: Of the articles selected (N = 48), 50% were published in 2018/2019. A majority targeted mild TBI, with equal focus on non-computerized versus computerized measures of VOR. Computerized assessment tools used were videonystagmography, dynamic visual acuity/gaze stability, rotary chair, and caloric irrigation. Non-computerized tests included the head thrust, dynamic visual acuity, gaze stability, head shaking nystagmus, rotary chair tests and the vestibular/oculomotor screening tool. High variability in administration protocols were identified. Namely: testing environment, distances/positioning/equipment used, active/passive state, procedures, rotation frequencies, and variables observed. Conclusions: There is a rapid growth of literature incorporating VOR tests in mild TBI but moderate and severe TBI continues to be under-represented. Determining how to pair a clinical test with a computerized tool and developing standardized protocols when administering tests will help in developing an optimal battery assessing the VOR in TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study included early menopausal and late menopausal women aged between 40 and 60 years to evaluate the effects of menopause on semicircular canal function. A video head impulse test (vHIT) was performed for all subjects. Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) mean gains of each semicircular canal and gain asymmetry were compared between groups. Of the 87 subjects, 37(42.5%) were reproductive age 28(32.5%) were early menopausal and 22(25.3%) were late menopausal patients. VOR gain of semicircular canals or gain asymmetry values did not differ between groups. In postmenopausal women, presence of vasomotor symptoms was associated with higher gain asymmetry of the left anterior-right posterior (LARP) plane (p =.01), and presence of balance problems was associated with lower right anterior (RA) VOR gain (p =.01). In conclusion semicircular canal function in postmenopausal women was similar to that in women of reproductive age. What is already known on this subject? During menopause, women face potential risks such as dizziness, balance problems, falls and fractures. Postmenopausal patients were tested with dynamic posturography to measure balance before and after oestrogen treatment, and it was shown that balance problems significantly improved with oestrogen treatment. Healthy vestibular system is one of the components for sustaining normal balance. What do the results of this study add? In postmenopausal women the function of the semicircular canals is normal and the balance deficit in postmenopausal women may not be caused by the vestibular system. In this study changes within normal limits were observed in vestibular system of postmenopausal women. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Reported balance deficits might have been due to central origin. Further research to differentiate origin of balance deficits are needed. Specific research on symptomatic postmenopausal patients would reveal more information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]