Postural Sway in a Virtual Environment in Patients With Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Lesions Susan L. Whitney, PhD, PT, NCS, ATC Patrick J. Sparto, PhD, PT Kathryn E. Brown, MS, PT, NCS Mark S. Redfern, PhD Joseph M. Furman, MD, PhD Departments of Physical Therapy, Otolaryngology and Bioengineering University of Pittsburgh Acknowledgements: Eye and Ear Foundation, NIDCD Grants: DC05205 & DC05372
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Postural Sway in a Virtual Environment in Patients With Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Lesions Susan…
Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to begin to answer the question of how visual scenes affect postural control after vestibular dysfunction, using a subset of all possible variables available in virtual environments. To do so we started with the following goals: –assess the visual motion sensitivity of patients with chronic UPVL’s as compared to individuals with normal vestibular function. –determine the amount of subjective discomfort each subject perceived.
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Postural Sway in a Virtual Environment in Patients With
Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Lesions
Susan L. Whitney, PhD, PT, NCS, ATCPatrick J. Sparto, PhD, PT
Kathryn E. Brown, MS, PT, NCSMark S. Redfern, PhD
Joseph M. Furman, MD, PhDDepartments of Physical Therapy, Otolaryngology and
BioengineeringUniversity of Pittsburgh
Acknowledgements: Eye and Ear Foundation, NIDCD Grants: DC05205 & DC05372
Introduction• Vestibular compensation adjusts for
abnormalities in the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and postural stability seen acutely following unilateral peripheral vestibular lesions (UPVL).• Long term visual dependence of
individuals with UPVL has not been fully examined.• The ability to receive cues from peripheral
vision in these individuals has not been studied.
Purpose• The purpose of this pilot study was to begin
to answer the question of how visual scenes affect postural control after vestibular dysfunction, using a subset of all possible variables available in virtual environments.• To do so we started with the following goals: – assess the visual motion sensitivity of patients
with chronic UPVL’s as compared to individuals with normal vestibular function.
– determine the amount of subjective discomfort each subject perceived.
Characteristics of the visual scenes that can be varied
• Movement of the scene• Stereoscopic vs. monoscopic vision • Binocular vs. monocular vision• Height of the focus of vision• Size of the virtual world on the screen• Central vs. peripheral motion• Complexity of the scene• Brightness
Experimental Design
• Independent variables:– Subject group (patient vs. control)– Field of View (FOV)– Frequency of tunnel movement
• Dependent variables:– Amount of sway– Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUDs)
rating
Experimental Conditions• Each session had an initial and final “quiet”
trial with a blank screen in a darkened room.
• Each subject was tested under 3 different FOV conditions.– Full vision.– Peripheral vision only (central 30º occluded).– Central vision only (central 30º).
• Each subject was also tested under 2 different frequencies of visual scene movement.– 0.1 Hz movement.– 0.25 Hz movement.
Methods• A visual stimulus of an infinitely long
tunnel with checkered walls was displayed in a virtual environment display facility (BNAVE).• Subjects stood barefoot for 80 seconds
while viewing sinusoidal movements of the virtual tunnel.– RMS velocity was 1.2 m/s.
• Sixty seconds of movement were preceded and followed by 10 seconds of no tunnel movement.
Methods• Subjects stood on force platform with their
feet comfortably apart, wearing a harness to prevent a fall.• The subject’s head movement was
measured using an electromagnetic sensor affixed to an adjustable plastic headband. • Eye movement was monitored to ensure
that eyes were viewing the screen.• All data were collected with the room
darkened.
Methods• Subjects were asked to rate their
Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUDs) prior to the start and after each trial.• The subject was asked to rate their
level of anxiety on a scale of 0 to 100 with 100 being the greatest.
Patient Group
• Twelve former patients all of whom were s/p vestibular nerve resection were recruited to participate.– 10 secondary to acoustic neuroma.– 2 secondary to Meniere’s disease.•Gender: 5 males, 7 females.• Age: Mean: 49 ± 10; Range: 31 - 65.