View clinical trials related to Vestibular Diseases.
Filter by:The human body uses vestibular feedback in coordination with visual and somatosensory information to maintain balance and posture. However, various inner-ear disorders due to aging, drug toxicity, viral infections, and injury, etc., may result in loss of vestibular feedback, which makes it difficult for an individual to maintain balance. This study investigates the use of a hidden and noninvasive balance device EquiCue™ V1 developed by Innervo Technology for vestibular substitution. EquiCue™ V1 is a retainer-like intraoral electronic balance aid entirely worn inside the oral cavity and provides in-situ sensory feedback of head tilting and motion on the roof of the mouth. The feedback is delivered by applying small and controlled electrical pulses at precise locations on the palatal surface according to an encoded pattern. This pilot study is to determine how this alternative sensory feedback on the roof of the mouth can be used to improve balance for patients with vestibular loss.
Although cochlear implants can restore hearing to individuals who have lost cochlear hair cell function, there is no adequately effective treatment for individuals suffering chronic imbalance, postural instability and unsteady vision due to loss of vestibular hair cell function. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve via a chronically implanted multichannel vestibular prosthesis can partially restore vestibular reflexes that maintain steady posture and vision. This pilot clinical feasibility study of a multichannel vestibular implant system will evaluate this approach in up to ten human subjects with bilateral vestibular deficiency due to gentamicin ototoxicity or other causes of inner ear dysfunction.
The investigators aim to compare rehabilitation progress between control patients who will undergo routine vestibular rehabilitation exercises and experimental patients who will undergo exercises using a vibrotactile balance belt (SKBRS - Sensory Kinetics Balance Rehabilitation System) in addition to their routine vestibular rehabilitation regimen during recovery from diseases affecting the vestibular system. The results of this pilot study will help to determine if the vibrotactile balance belt is a useful supplement to traditional vestibular rehabilitation techniques in children suffering from vestibular impairment.
The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic values associated with both a positive and negative Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) performed in room light (with fixation). The hypotheses include: 1. A positive room light SVINT will be identified in individuals with moderate to severe vestibular asymmetries. 2. A positive room light SVINT will be present when 10 beats or more (counted over 10 seconds) of nystagmus are found with fixation blocked.
Vertigo, dizziness and imbalance are the main symptoms of vestibular dysfunction. They can lead to physical consequences, such as the reduction of postural control and falls, psychological and / or psychiatric consequences such as anxiety and depression, panic and cognitive changes, especially in the elderly. It is known that individuals affected by these disorders may improve with the completion of vestibular rehabilitation protocol.Treatment protocols can introduce variability of exercises to control the signs and symptoms related to vestibular diseases, in order to customize the treatment to affected individuals .
The purpose of these studies is to determine whether vestibular disorders could affect visuo-spatial cognition. Visuo-spatial cognition will be evaluated using a new questionnaire and a new computerized test using a digital tablet in different studies.
The aim of this study is to assess the differences in gaze and gait during the stair and ramp negotiation (+transition to normal level walking) between healthy controls and vestibular patients (fallers and non-fallers).
Study Description and Purpose: The vestibular sense organs of the inner ear consist of the semi-circular canals and otolith end organs. These organs contain specialized gravito-inertial sensors that sense angular and linear head acceleration. The input from these sensors is required to stabilize gaze position during head motion, and provide an absolute frame of reference with respect to gravity, thus providing a vertical spatial reference for body orientation and balance. Disease or damage of the vestibular sense organs causes a range of distressing symptoms and functional problems for people that could include loss of balance, gaze instability, disorientation and dizziness. A novel computer based rehabilitation system with therapeutic gaming application has been developed. This method allows different gaze and head movement exercises to be coupled to a wide range of inexpensive, commercial computer games. It can be used in standing and thus graded balance demands using a sponge pad can be incorporated into the program. Study Objective: 1. Test the therapeutic effectiveness of the TRP delivered in the home compared to usual care delivered in an out-patient physical therapy clinic on measures of balance (standing and walking) , gaze control, dizziness, and health related quality of life in individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders. 2. Compare trajectory of change in electronic gaze performance measures obtained during each therapy session of each participant assigned to the home Telerehabilitation. Hypothesis: Investigators believe the Telerehabilitation platform to be a cost-effective delivery of rehabilitation. Additionally motivation to perform tedious home programs can be improved with engaging, fun and interactive computer gaming as part of the rehabilitation process. It is hypothesized the home game-based Telerehabilitation program will result in greater improvements in dynamic balance control, gaze control, and dizziness, in individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders as compared to a typical out-patient physical therapy regimen.
The present project aims at describing how vestibular signals contribute to the multisensory mechanisms of bodily self-consciousness. There is a large body of data regarding the sensory and neural mechanisms of self-consciousness, but most studies have so far demonstrated the contribution of visual, tactile and proprioceptive signals to bodily self-consciousness. Thus, most studies have neglected the contribution of the vestibular system, a major sensory system for spatial and bodily representations. The vestibular system is sensitive to head motions in space and head inclinations with respect to gravity and it should therefore contribute significantly to several bodily experiences. This contribution should be put under neuroscientific scrutiny. We believe that the current neuroscientific models of bodily self-consciousness will be incomplete until they incorporate the contribution of vestibular signals. The present project specifically aims at testing the hypothesis according to which vestibular signals significantly influence bodily self-consciousness, in particular first-person and third-person perspective taking and the internal body models (i.e. the body schema and body image). The present project also aims at describing how cortical vestibular processing is modified during experimental changes of perspective taking and viewpoint. In addition, the present project will describe whether vestibular disorders change performances in third-person perspective taking tasks and modify internal body models. This should help understanding bodily symptoms in vestibular-defective patients. To this end, we will combine approaches from psychophysics and electrophysiology (electromyography, electroencephalography) in healthy volunteers and behavioral approached in patients with vestibular disorders. These studies should further the understanding of how the brain processes vestibular signals, which is to date poorly understood. In addition, the outcome of the present project should help understanding the multiple and complex symptoms reported by patients with vestibular diseases, and should therefore improve their treatment.
It is hypothesized that a home-based computer gaming rehabilitation program will improve gaze control and balance impairments in those with peripheral vestibular disorders (PVD). Ten people with peripheral vestibular disorders were started on a treatment program that consisted of playing computer games and while performing various balance exercises. On a weekly basis, each participant was contacted by email or telephone and asked to submit their computer gaming data to a trained vestibular physical therapist. Following review of this data, the physical therapist would contact the participant and progress their computer gaming program appropriately. At the completion of twelve weeks of home treatment, the participants returned for re-assessment and it was determined that the computer gaming program was an effective treatment for those with PVD. It was also determined that a monitored telerehabilitation program was an efficient and effective delivery method for this treatment.