Acknowledgement
We thank Professor Americo A. Migliaccio and Mr. Christopher J.
Todd from the Balance and Vision Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, for
building the StableEyes devices and related software used in this study
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Abstract
Suffering an acute asymmetry in vestibular function (i.e. vestibular neuritis) causes
increased sway. Non-causal studies report associations between lateral semicircular
canal function and balance ability, but direct links remains controversial. We investigate
the immediate effect on body sway after unilateral vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain
down adaptation simulating acute peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Eighteen healthy
adults, mean age 27.4 (± 12.4), stood wearing an inertial measurement device with their
eyes closed on foam before and after incremental VOR gain down adaptation to
simulate mild unilateral vestibular neuritis. Active head impulse VOR gain was
measured before and after the adaptation to ensure VOR gain adaptation. Percentage
change for VOR gain and sway area were determined. Sway area was compared
before and after VOR adaptation. VOR gain decreased unilaterally exceeding
meaningful change values. Sway area was significantly greater immediately after VOR
gain down adaptation, but quickly returned to baseline. In a subset of subjects VOR
gain was re-assessed and found to remain adapted despite sway normalization. These
Results
indicate that oculomotor adaptation targeting the lateral semicircular canal VOR
pathways have an immediate, albeit transient increase in body sway. Rapid return of
body sway to baseline levels suggests dynamic sensory reweighting between vestibular
and somatosensory inputs to resolve the undesirable increased body sway.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Introduction
Vestibular inputs have long been recognized as contributing to postural control
(Nashner 1971; Lacour et al. 2022), with some studies implicating the otoliths as the
primary vestibular contributors to postural control (Markham 1987; Diaz-Artiles and
Karmali 2021). Galvanic vestibular stimulation causes postural tilts and acts by
stimulating the vestibular nerve, likely presenting a combined canal-otolith signal to
postural pathways (Fitzpatrick and Day 2004; Cathers et al. 2005). Other studies have
correlated measures of lateral semicircular canal VOR function with body sway,
especially using an eyes closed on foam test to increase the postural demands on the
vestibular system (Anson et al. 2017, 2019). A recent paper described a model that
accounts for separate signaling from semicircular canals (SCC) and otoliths to
characterize postural control (Haggerty et al. 2017), with the SCC effects described as
detecting transients. Roll-tilt perception involving the otoliths and vertical SCC has been
associated with postural control, but horizontal SCC perception was not (Karmali et al.
2017; Beylergil et al. 2019). Interestingly, neither roll plane nor pitch plane VOR gain
asymmetries were associated with balance, but rather roll VOR gain asymmetries were
associated with gait abnormalities (Allum and Honegger 2020). VOR gain asymmetries
associated with gait are in line with the suggestion that the SCCs role in postural control
are detecting transients, i.e. heel strike, but this would argue against a prominent role in
quiet stance postural control. It remains controversial whether there is a direct link
between lateral SCC function and postural control.
Technology advancements in gaze stabilization exercises, specifically
incremental VOR adaptation, offer both a chance at recovery of VOR function for
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
patients (Gimmon et al. 2019; Rinaudo et al. 2021), and also a mechanism to probe
motor learning within vestibular pathways (Gimmon et al. 2018). VOR adaptation is
maximized following a 15 minute incremental VOR adaptation protocol (Muntaseer
Mahfuz et al. 2018), and has been shown to last for at least to 60 minutes (Mahfuz et al.
2018). To date, the emphasis of studies examining incremental VOR adaptation has
been restricted to the VOR pathway. In a single clinical trial for individuals with unilateral
vestibular hypofunction walking balance improved after one week (Rinaudo et al. 2021),
again suggesting semicircular canal function is important for walking. Standing balance
was not assessed, and it is not known whether VOR adaptation will have any immediate
effect on balance ability.
In healthy adults incremental VOR results in adaptation around 10-20% (Gimmon
et al. 2018; Schubert and Migliaccio 2019), approaching the threshold of VOR decline
noted in presbyvestibulopathy (Agrawal et al. 2019). In this study, we examined body
sway with eyes closed on foam before and after incremental VOR gain down adaptation
as a model to simulate mild unilateral semicircular canal only hypofunction on postural
control in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that after incremental VOR gain down
adaptation body sway would increase.
Methods
Subjects
Eighteen healthy adults (12 females, 6 males) mean age 27.4 (± 12.4), provided written
informed consent and participated in this study, approved by the Institutional Review
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Board at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Participants were compensated
$15 per hour.
Experimental Setup
Equipment
VOR gain was measured using an EyeSeeCam head impulse system
(Micromedical, Inc.) (Bartl et al. 2009; Schneider et al. 2009), using active head
impulses in the plane of the horizontal SCC performed while seated in the dark. A
projected world fixed laser dot on the wall that extinguished during head movement
served as the fixation point. StableEyes ® was used to generate both the stable fixation
point used for pre- and post- head impulse testing and provided the incremental retinal
slip error signal during the 15-minute adaptation period (Muntaseer Mahfuz et al. 2018).
Body sway was measured using an OPAL sensor (APDM, Inc) (Mancini et al. 2012).
Protocol
After consenting, each participant provided demographic data including age,
gender, and fall history. Participants completed 2-3 training sessions at least a week
before the experimental session to learn the correct technique for performing active
head impulses (peak head velocity between 120 and 300 degrees/sec within 100ms)
and a separate experimental session verifying that they were successful at VOR
adaptation using the incremental VOR adaptation protocol. Visual and auditory
feedback were provided to the subjects during the training sessions using the
EyeSeeCam (visual feedback) and StableEyes ® (auditory feedback) systems.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
After verifying that subjects could adapt their VOR with active head impulses,
they were invited to participate in this experiment. During this experiment, subjects wore
an OPAL sensor (APDM, Inc) on a belt around their waist. Subjects also wore both an
EyeSeeCam system and StableEyes ® system on their head. Balance was measured
with subject’s eyes closed standing on a foam balance pad (AIREX, Inc. density 38.6
kg/m^3) with their arms crossed and feet angled 15 degrees out from midline and
separated approximately 10cm at the heels according to the APDM manual. Subjects
completed three 30-second trials standing in the dark with eyes closed on the foam both
before and after completing seated incremental VOR adaptation, see Figure 1 for
experimental schematic.
----- insert Figure 1 about here -----
Active head impulses were performed such that subjects were seated in the dark
1.5 meters from the wall performed small (10-20 degree), fast (120-180
degrees/second) movements of their head in the yaw plane while fixating a point in
space (projected laser dot). Subjects were taught to maintain approximately 15-20
degree chin tuck to align the horizontal SCC with the horizontal plane, but this was not
verifiable throughout the experiment as the entire experiment was performed in a
darkened room. Head impulses were performed until 15 impulses were accepted by the
EyeSeeCam software.
The side of unilateral incremental VOR gain down adaptation was determined by
coin-flip the day of the experiment. Following the initial set of seated active head
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
impulses, the StableEyes system VOR gain demand was set to the subject’s measured
VOR gain (rounded to the nearest 0.05) for right and left, and the side to be adapted
was set to increment down by 0.1 every 90 seconds for 10 epochs.(Migliaccio and
Schubert 2013) After the initial epoch, the laser target presented a decreasing demand
of the VOR gain in the direction of VOR gain = 0.1 by drifting in the direction of head
motion prior to extinguishing, see Figure 1. The VOR gain demand for the non-adapting
side remained equal to the pre-testing value.
After completing the VOR adaptation protocol, subjects immediately performed
active head impulses as described previously to measure post-adaptation VOR gain.
Subjects then stood up onto the foam pad and closed their eyes (the room remained
dark the entire time), and sway area was measured as described above for three
repetitions.
Data Analysis
VOR gain was calculated as the ratio of eye velocity to head velocity at 60ms
after the onset of head impulses. Percentage change in VOR gain was determined and
compared to 5% change as a threshold for meaningful change based on prior
work.(Mahfuz et al. 2020) Individuals with less than 5% decrease in target side VOR
gain were invited to repeat the experiment or were excluded from analysis. Sway area
for the three pre-adaptation tests were averaged (Pre). Post-adaptation sway area was
divided into Post1 (first 30 second test) and the average of the last two tests (Post2).
A repeated mixed model compared sway area across time (Pre, Post1, Post2)
while accounting for within subject variance. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
completed with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. A t-test was used to
compare percentage change in VOR gain to zero, with α = 0.05, and as a sensitivity
analysis we repeated that t-test analysis comparing percentage change in VOR gain to -
5%. Exploratory paired t-tests were performed to compare the percentage VOR gain
change for the adapted and non-adapted side in a subset (n=6) of subjects who
performed seated active head impulses again after the balance testing was completed.
This post-hoc exploratory analysis was conducted to see whether the VOR gain
adaptation was lost after standing up.
Results
Two female subjects were excluded from the analysis based on atypical VOR
adaptation or atypical body sway. In one case, the subject experienced bilateral VOR
gain adaptation with the non-adapting ear experiencing approximately 10% VOR gain
reduction despite VOR gain demand did not increment. Although consistent with prior
work showing contra-adapted gain changes (Migliaccio and Schubert 2013), this
subject’s balance responses may reflect a dose dependent change in sway since
bilateral vestibular hypofunction results in worse balance than unilateral vestibular
hypofunction. The other case demonstrated a sway pattern inconsistent with standing,
achieving a sway area of 52 degrees^2 suggesting the subject moved their feet while
shifting weight, see outlier in Post3 in Figure 2.
--------insert Figure 2 about here-----------
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Average VOR gain measured from active head impulses before adaptation was
1.04 ± 0.05 on the left and 1.04 ± 0.07 on the right. Average VOR gain adaptation was -
10.9% ± 4.2%, individual responses are presented in Table 1. The reduction in VOR
gain was significantly different from zero (t(1,15) = -10.4, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-13.1, -
8.7]). As a sensitivity test, we examined whether VOR reduction was significantly
greater than 5%, a value previously identified as tolerance limit for the horizontal VOR
(Mahfuz et al. 2020). VOR gain changed significantly more than 5%, (t(1,15) = -5.64, p
< 0.001, 95% CI [-13.1, -8.7]).
Average pre-adaptation sway area was 3.2 ± 2.0 degrees^2, average Post1 sway
area was 5.3 ± 5.8 degrees^2, and average Post2 sway area was 2.8 ± 2.2 degrees^2,
see Figure 3. Planned post-hoc comparisons demonstrated an effect of time such that
the Post1 sway area was significantly larger than Pre sway area (z = 2.61, p = 0.027,
95% CI [0.17, 4.12]) and Post2 sway area (z = -3.11, p = 0.006, 95% CI [-4.54, -0.59]).
----- insert Figure 3 about here-----
In the subset analysis (n=6) examining whether VOR gain adaption was lost after
standing, neither the adapted side (t(1,5) = 0.61, p = 0.57) nor the non-adapted side
(t(1,5) = 1.47, p = 0.20) changed significantly. The average VOR gain percentage
change on the adapted side before standing was -8.8% and after standing was -9.7%.
The average VOR gain percentage change on the non-adapted side before standing
was 3.4% and after standing was 1.6%.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Discussion
There are three primary results from the current study. First, we demonstrated an
immediate worsening of postural control under a vestibular demanding postural task
following unilateral VOR gain down adaptation. Second, we demonstrate a relatively
fast normalization of postural sway consistent with sensory reweighting. Third, the
sensory reweighting which corrected postural control occurred despite persistence of
VOR adaptation.
Our current findings suggest in humans that semicircular canal projections
appear to directly contribute to upright postural control. Vestibular signals diverge in the
brainstem between pathways for the VOR and the vestibular only neurons involved in
postural control (Cullen and Roy 2004; Cullen 2019). The results of this study indicate
that the effects of the VOR adaptation paradigm are not restricted to the vestibulo-
ocular pathways. Others have shown projections from semicircular canal pathways
converge in the vestibular spinal system and influence canal plane specific head on
body orientation and postural control (Suzuki and Cohen 1964; Shinoda et al. 2006).
However, projections from semicircular canals to the anti-gravity postural muscles may
be less direct. Grillner and Hongo (1972) reported that otoliths but not semicircular
canals projected to the extensor muscles in the trunk/lower limbs involved in postural
control (Grillner and Hongo 1972). Both rotation and translation vestibular signals are
represented in non-eye movement vestibular nuclei neurons (Newlands et al. 2018),
and in cats ablation of semicircular canal function impaired postural responses above
0.1 Hz (Schor and Miller 1981). Both healthy adults and individuals with peripheral
vestibular hypofunction demonstrate increased sway in the 0.1-1.0 Hz frequency band
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
when standing on foam (Fujimoto et al. 2014). Thus, the observed sway increase may
occur due to adapted semicircular canal signals combining with otolith signals prior to
descending vestibulo-spinal tracts. Alternatively, the effects of angular VOR adaptation
may directly modify otolith signaling. Future studies should examine whether rotational
VOR adaptation leads to a change in otolith output.
Sensory weighting is a dynamic contextual process that facilitates upright stance
under a variety of environmental and movement conditions (Assländer and Peterka
2016; Allison et al. 2018; Medendorp et al. 2018). Standing on foam is often described
as a method to bias the reliable sensory input to the vestibular system (Cohen et al.
1993, 2019; Anson et al. 2017). Patients with vestibular hypofunction initially have
difficulty standing on foam (Sprenger et al. 2017), but after rehabilitation (typically
weeks to months) their ability to maintain balance on foam improves (Strupp et al. 1998;
Giray et al. 2009). Our observed sway pattern, increased sway after a mild unilateral
VOR gain down adaptation, is consistent with findings in unilateral vestibular
hypofunction (Allum et al. 2017).
A possible explanation is reduced reliance on vestibular signals for postural
control despite standing in the context of increased vestibular demand (foam with eyes
closed). Reduced sway responses to vestibular signals when on foam with eyes closed
occurred immediately after sub-concussive repetitive soccer heading which normalized
24 hours later (Hwang et al. 2016). The current results are consistent with a switch from
normal integration of vestibular signals for postural control to a reduced reliance on of
vestibular signals (immediate increased sway) followed by a change in the overall
sensory weighting scheme to facilitate sway normalization. Future studies are needed to
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
determine whether proprioceptive weighting increased, or whether converging
semicircular canal and otolith signals was modified, or some combination explains the
current results.
Interestingly, healthy young adults experience a small but significant sway
increase across repeated tests of standing on foam, which corresponded to a shift from
higher to lower frequency sway (Sozzi and Schieppati 2022). The rapid reduction
(normalization) of sway area we observed suggests our subjects experienced a different
process, more consistent sensory reweighting. Also in healthy subjects, Matsugi et al.
(2017) attributed sway reduction on foam with eyes closed seen after performing 0.5Hz
gaze stability exercises to a change in sensory strategy evidenced by a facilitation of the
vestibulospinal reflex (Matsugi et al. 2017). Their results support our theory that sway
normalization results from a change in sensory weighting; although in their study, the
VOR gain was not adapted. Their results may alternatively represent enhancement in
vestibular postural control due to priming, like the observed effect of prior eye
movements enhancing the VOR (Das et al. 1999). Future studies should explore the
dynamics of sensory weighting after VOR adaptation to determine the underlying
mechanism. However, normalization of VOR gain response would also account for
sway normalization in these healthy adults.
Support for sensory reweighting as the mechanism of sway reduction rather than
normalization of the VOR is provided by additional testing in a subset of subjects. In a
subset of subjects (n = 6) we retested active VOR gain after the post-adaptation
balance testing was completed. All prior studies examining incremental VOR adaptation
were performed in sitting and we conducted this sub-set analysis to determine whether
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
the VOR adaptation was lost as a possible explanation for the sway normalization. In
this subset, VOR gain on the adapted side remains reduced indicating the original
adaptation did not wash out from the subjects standing and then sitting again. Others
have also shown that gain down VOR adaptation in the pitch plane persisted in
monkeys up to 7 days after adaptation (Schubert et al. 2008). Although our retention
period was much shorter, our results suggest that the rapid sway normalization does not
occur due to rapid recovery of adapted VOR. This is consistent with work in individuals
with peripheral vestibular hypofunction who demonstrate improvement in postural
control earlier than improvement in VOR responses (Allum et al. 2017). Future studies
will need to examine whether similar results occur after gain up VOR adaptation. It is
interesting to note that there is no nystagmus or dizziness following incremental VOR
adaptation.
Limitations
There are several limitations to the present results. Methodology limitations
preclude definitive sensory reweighting based on sway responses to controlled sensory
inputs, as reported in other studies (Peterka 2002; Hwang et al. 2014). However, the
decline followed by improvement in postural performance while standing on foam is
consistent with previous reports when vestibular sensory input is suddenly lost and later
balance improves despite persistent vestibular hypofunction (Strupp et al. 1998; Allum
2012). Otolith function was not quantified in this healthy young adult cohort; although,
no subjects had any neurological conditions and only one subject was over 60 years old
(presbyvestibulopathy, Agrawal et al. 2019). Vertical VOR gain was not quantified and it
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
is unknown whether there horizontal VOR gain adaptation results in any off-plane
adaptation in pitch or roll. Small but significant changes in horizontal VOR gain were
reported after pitch down gain change in healthy adults (Todd et al. 2022). Both roll-tilt
and pitch are implicated in postural control (Wagner et al. 2021; Gabriel et al. 2022),
and future studies should examine whether off-plane VOR adaptation occurs that may
contribute to greater sway.
Conclusion
These results indicate that adaptations targeting the lateral semicircular canal
VOR pathways have broad postural effects. Rapid return of body sway to baseline
levels despite persistent reduced VOR gain suggests dynamic sensory reweighting to
resolve the transient but undesirable increased body sway. Normalization of body sway
occurred without normalization of VOR gain suggesting the postural control system may
be less tolerant to mild deviations from typical performance.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
References
Agrawal Y, Van De Berg R, Wuyts F, et al (2019) Presbyvestibulopathy: Diagnostic
criteria Consensus document of the classification committee of the Bárány Society.
J Vestib Res 29:161–170. https://doi.org/10.3233/VES-190672
Allison LK, Kiemel T, Jeka JJ (2018) Sensory-Challenge Balance Exercises Improve
Multisensory Reweighting in Fall-Prone Older Adults. Journal of Neurologic
Physical Therapy 42:84–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/NPT.0000000000000214
Allum JHJ (2012) Recovery of vestibular ocular reflex function and balance control after
a unilateral peripheral vestibular deficit. 3:1–7.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2012.00083
Allum JHJ, Honegger F (2020) Correlations between Multi-plane vHIT Responses and
Balance Control after Onset of an Acute Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Deficit.
Otology and Neurotology 41:e952–e960.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002482
Allum JHJ, Scheltinga A, Honegger F (2017) The Effect of Peripheral Vestibular
Recovery on Improvements in Vestibulo-ocular Reflexes and Balance Control After
Acute Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Loss. Otology & Neurotology 38:e531–e538.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001477
Anson E, Bigelow RT, Studenski S, et al (2019) Failure on the Foam Eyes Closed Test
of Standing Balance Associated With Reduced Semicircular Canal Function in
Healthy Older Adults. Ear Hear 40:340–344.
https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000619
Anson E, Bigelow RT, Swenor B, et al (2017) Loss of peripheral sensory function
explains much of the increase in postural sway in healthy older adults. Front Aging
Neurosci 9:. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00202
Assländer L, Peterka RJ (2016) Sensory reweighting dynamics following removal and
addition of visual and proprioceptive cues. J Neurophysiol 116:272–285.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.01145.2015
Bartl K, Lehnen N, Kohlbecher S, Schneider E (2009) Head Impulse Testing Using
Video-oculography. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1164:331–333
Beylergil SB, Karmali F, Wang W, et al (2019) Vestibular roll tilt thresholds partially
mediate age-related effects on balance. In: Progress in Brain Research. Elsevier,
pp 249–267
Cathers I, Day BL, Fitzpatrick RC (2005) Otolith and canal reflexes in human standing. J
Physiol 563:229–34. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2004.079525
Cohen H, Blatchly CA, Gombash LL (1993) A study of the clinical test of sensory
interaction and balance. Phys Ther 73:346–51
Cohen HS, Mulavara AP, Stitz J, et al (2019) Screening for Vestibular Disorders Using
the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance and Tandem Walking
With Eyes Closed. Otology & Neurotology 40:658–665.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000002173
Cullen K, Roy J (2004) Signal processing in the vestibular system during active versus
passive head movements. J Neurophysiol 91:1919–33.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00988.2003
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Cullen KE (2019) Vestibular processing during natural self-motion: implications for
perception and action. Nat Rev Neurosci 20:346–363
Das VE, Dell’osso LF, Leigh RJ (1999) Enhancement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex by
prior eye movements. J Neurophysiol 81:2884–2892.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.1999.81.6.2884
Diaz-Artiles A, Karmali F (2021) Vestibular Precision at the Level of Perception, Eye
Movements, Posture, and Neurons. Neuroscience 468:282–320.
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUROSCIENCE.2021.05.028
Fitzpatrick RC, Day BL (2004) Probing the human vestibular system with galvanic
stimulation. J Appl Physiol 96:2301–2316.
https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00008.2004
Fujimoto C, Kamogashira T, Kinoshita M, et al (2014) Power Spectral Analysis of
Postural Sway During Foam Posturography in Patients With Peripheral Vestibular
Dysfunction. Otology & Neurotology 35:e317–e323.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000000554
Gabriel GA, Harris LR, Gnanasegaram JJ, et al (2022) Age-related changes to
vestibular heave and pitch perception and associations with postural control.
Scientific Reports 2022 12:1 12:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09807-4
Gimmon Y, Migliaccio AA, Kim KJ, Schubert MC (2019) VOR adaptation training and
retention in a patient with profound bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Laryngoscope
129:2568–2573. https://doi.org/10.1002/LARY.27838
Gimmon Y, Migliaccio AA, Todd CJ, et al (2018) Simultaneous and opposing horizontal
VOR adaptation in humans suggests functionally independent neural circuits. J
Neurophysiol 120:1496–1504. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00134.2018
Giray M, Kirazli Y, Karapolat H, et al (2009) Short-Term Effects of Vestibular
Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction: A
Randomized Controlled Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90:1325–1331.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2009.01.032
Grillner S, Hongo T (1972) Vestibulospinal Effects on Motoneurones and Interneurones
in the Lumbosacral Cord. Prog Brain Res 37:243–262.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6123(08)63906-0
Haggerty SE, Wu AR, Sienko KH, Kuo AD (2017) A shared neural integrator for human
posture control. J Neurophysiol 118:894–903.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00428.2016
Hwang S, Agada P, Kiemel T, Jeka JJ (2014) Dynamic reweighting of three modalities
for sensor fusion. PLoS One 9:1–8
Hwang S, Ma L, Kawata K, et al (2016) Vestibular Dysfunction following Sub-
Concussive Head Impact. J Neurotrauma. https://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2015.4238
Karmali F, Bermúdez Rey MC, Clark TK, et al (2017) Multivariate Analyses of Balance
Test Performance, Vestibular Thresholds, and Age. Front Neurol 8:578.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00578
Lacour M, Tardivet L, Thiry A (2022) Posture Deficits and Recovery After Unilateral
Vestibular Loss: Early Rehabilitation and Degree of Hypofunction Matter. Front
Hum Neurosci 15:. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNHUM.2021.776970
Mahfuz MM, Schubert MC, Figtree WVC, et al (2018) Optimal Human Passive
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Adaptation Does Not Rely on Passive Training. JARO -
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology 19:.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-018-0657-9
Mahfuz MM, Schubert MC, Figtree WVC, Migliaccio AA (2020) Retinal Image Slip Must
Pass the Threshold for Human Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Adaptation. Journal of the
Association for Research in Otolaryngology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-020-
00751-6
Mancini M, Salarian A, Carlson-Kuhta P, et al (2012) ISway: A sensitive, valid and
reliable measure of postural control. J Neuroeng Rehabil 9:1–8.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-9-59/TABLES/5
Markham CH (1987) Vestibular control of muscular tone and posture. Canadian Journal
of Neurological Sciences 14:493–496. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0317167100037975
Matsugi A, Ueta Y, Oku K, et al (2017) Effect of gaze-stabilization exercises on
vestibular function during postural control. Neuroreport 28:439–443.
https://doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0000000000000776
Medendorp WP, Alberts BBGT, Verhagen WIM, et al (2018) Psychophysical Evaluation
of Sensory Reweighting in Bilateral Vestibulopathy. Front Neurol 9:377.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00377
Migliaccio AA, Schubert MC (2013) Unilateral adaptation of the human angular
vestibulo-ocular reflex. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 14:29–36.
https://doi.org/10.1007/S10162-012-0359-7
Muntaseer Mahfuz M, Schubert MC, Figtree WVC, et al (2018) Human Vestibulo-Ocular
Reflex Adaptation Training: Time Beats Quantity. Journal of the Association for
Research in Otolaryngology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-018-00689-w
Nashner L (1971) A model describing vestibular detection of body sway motion. Acta
Otoaryngologica 72:429–436
Newlands SD, Abbatematteo B, Wei M, et al (2018) Convergence of linear acceleration
and yaw rotation signals on non-eye movement neurons in the vestibular nucleus of
macaques. J Neurophysiol 119:73–83.
https://doi.org/10.1152/JN.00382.2017/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/Z9K01217441800
09.JPEG
Peterka RJ (2002) Sensorimotor integration in human postural control. J Neurophysiol
88:1097–1118
Rinaudo CN, Schubert MC, Cremer PD, et al (2021) Comparison of incremental
vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation training versus x1 training in patients with chronic
peripheral vestibular hypofunction: A two-year randomized controlled trial. Journal
of Neurologic Physical Therapy 45:246–258.
https://doi.org/10.1097/NPT.0000000000000369
Schneider E, Villgrattner T, Vockeroth J, et al (2009) Eyeseecam: An eye movement-
driven head camera for the examination of natural visual exploration. Ann N Y Acad
Sci 1164:461–467. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03858.x
Schor RH, Miller AD (1981) Vestibular reflexes in neck and forelimb muscles evoked by
roll tilt. https://doi.org/101152/jn1981461167 46:167–178.
https://doi.org/10.1152/JN.1981.46.1.167
Schubert MC, Migliaccio AA (2019) New advances regarding adaptation of the
vestibulo-ocular reflex. J Neurophysiol 122:644–658.
https://doi.org/10.1152/JN.00729.2018
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Schubert MC, Migliaccio AA, Minor LB, Clendaniel RA (2008) Retention of VOR gain
following short-term VOR adaptation. Exp Brain Res 187:117–127.
https://doi.org/10.1007/S00221-008-1289-9
Shinoda Y, Sugiuchi Y, Izawa Y, Hata Y (2006) Long descending motor tract axons and
their control of neck and axial muscles. Prog Brain Res 151:527–563.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6123(05)51017-3
Sozzi S, Schieppati M (2022) Balance Adaptation While Standing on a Compliant Base
Depends on the Current Sensory Condition in Healthy Young Adults. Front Hum
Neurosci 16:. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNHUM.2022.839799/FULL
Sprenger A, Wojak JF, Jandl NM, Helmchen C (2017) Postural Control in Bilateral
Vestibular Failure: Its Relation to Visual, Proprioceptive, Vestibular, and Cognitive
Input. Front Neurol 0:444. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNEUR.2017.00444
Strupp M, Arbusow V, Maag KP, et al (1998) Vestibular exercises improve central
vestibulespinal compensation after vestibular neuritis. Neurology 51:838–844.
https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.51.3.838/ASSET/A7E0116B-3EA0-4674-8BBA-
6073D0C94122/ASSETS/GRAPHIC/41FF5.JPEG
Suzuki JI, Cohen B (1964) Head, eye, body and limb movements from semicircular
canal nerves. Exp Neurol 10:393–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-
4886(64)90031-7
Todd CJ, Schubert MC, Rinaudo CN, Migliaccio AA (2022) Unidirectional Vertical
Vestibuloocular Reflex Adaptation in Humans Using 1D and 2D Scenes. Otology
and Neurotology 43:E1039–E1044.
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000003684
Wagner AR, Kobel MJ, Merfeld DM (2021) Impact of Canal-Otolith Integration on
Postural Control. Front Integr Neurosci 15:.
https://doi.org/10.3389/FNINT.2021.773008/FULL
Zoubir AM, Boashash B (1998) The bootstrap and its application in signal processing.
IEEE Signal Process Mag 15:56–76. https://doi.org/10.1109/79.647043
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Table 1. Individual subject VOR gain responses pre- and post-adaptation. Individuals
marked with an * were excluded from analyses.
Subject Pre-adaptation
VOR Gain
Post-adaptation
VOR Gain
Percentage Change
Left Right Left Right Left Right
S124* 0.92 0.98 0.81 0.88 -11.9565 -10.2041
S1 1.04 1.17 0.89 1.1 -14.4231 -5.98291
S128 1 1 1.05 0.94 5 -6
S103 0.98 1.02 0.94 0.87 -4.08163 -14.7059
S122 1 1.02 0.98 0.92 -2 -9.80392
S81 1.06 1.05 1.02 0.93 -3.77358 -11.4286
S111 1.01 1.13 0.96 1.03 -4.9505 -8.84956
S120 1.07 1.11 1.09 1.04 1.869159 -6.30631
S142 0.95 0.92 0.97 0.78 2.105263 -15.2174
S138 1.02 1.03 0.88 1 -13.7255 -2.91262
S112 0.96 0.94 0.95 0.8 -1.04167 -14.8936
S156 1.09 0.98 0.89 1.01 -18.3486 3.061224
S174 1.13 1.09 1.16 1.03 2.654867 -5.50459
S172 1.1 1.08 1.03 1.14 -6.36364 5.555556
S197 1.09 1.09 1.09 0.99 0 -9.17431
S202 1.07 0.99 0.92 1.02 -14.0187 3.030303
S171* 1.17 1.14 1.03 1.21 -11.9658 6.140351
S164 1.03 1.04 0.97 1.07 -5.82524 2.884615
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Figure Captions
Figure 1. Experimental schematic visualizing the protocol. Sway area was measured
three consecutive times (30 seconds each) with eyes closed on foam in a dark room.
Subjects then sat and performed active head impulses in the dark for initial VOR gain
measurement. Subjects then completed 15 minutes of unilateral horizontal gain down
VOR adaptation. Subjects repeated active head impulses to characterize post-
adaptation VOR gain. Sway area was measured three additional consecutive trials with
eyes closed on foam in a dark room.
Figure 2. Violin plots for sway area for all subjects and all balance testing repetitions.
Note the outlier in Post3 with sway area approximately 52 degrees^2, this subject was
not included in statistical analyses. The black horizontal lines represent the group mean
and the read lines represent the group median for each test repetition.
Figure 3. Average sway area before and after VOR adaptation. Error bars represent
standard error of the mean. Note the significant increase in average sway area
immediately after VOR gain down adaptation (Post1) that returns to baseline after the
first post-test repetition (Post2), indicated by asterisk (p < 0.05).
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Figure 1
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Figure 2.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Figure 3.
.CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International licenseavailable under a
was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made
The copyright holder for this preprint (whichthis version posted April 13, 2024. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.09.588711doi: bioRxiv preprint
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.