Immersion in an illusory world is possible by means of virtual reality (VR), where environmental perception is modified by artificial sensorial stimulation. The application of VR for the assessment and rehabilitation of pathologies affecting the vestibular system, in terms of both diagnosis and care, could represent an interesting new line of research. Our perception of reality is in fact based on static and dynamic spatial information perceived by our senses. During head movements in a virtual environment the images on the display and the labyrinthine information relative to the head angular accelerations differ and therefore a visuo-vestibular conflict is present. It is known that mismatches between visual and labyrinthine information may modify the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR) gain. We studied the post-immersion modifications in 20 healthy subjects (mean age 25 years) exposed to a virtual environment for 20 min by wearing a head-mounted display. VOR gain and phase were measured by means of harmonic sinusoidal stimulation in the dark before, at the end of and 30 min after VR exposure. A VOR gain reduction was observed in all subjects at the end of VR exposure which disappeared after 30 min. Our data show that exposure to a virtual environment can induce a temporary modification of the VOR gain. This finding can be employed to enable an artificial, instrumental modification of the VOR gain and therefore opens up new perspectives in the assessment and rehabilitation of vestibular diseases.

DI GIROLAMO, S., Picciotti, P., Sergi, B., Ottaviani, F., Di Nardo, W., Paludetti, G. (2001). Vestibulo-Oular-Reflex modification after virtual environmental exposure. In Acta-Otolaryngologica (pp.211-215). Stockholm : Informa Healthcare [10.1080/000164801300043541].

Vestibulo-Oular-Reflex modification after virtual environmental exposure

DI GIROLAMO, STEFANO;OTTAVIANI, FABRIZIO;
2001-01-01

Abstract

Immersion in an illusory world is possible by means of virtual reality (VR), where environmental perception is modified by artificial sensorial stimulation. The application of VR for the assessment and rehabilitation of pathologies affecting the vestibular system, in terms of both diagnosis and care, could represent an interesting new line of research. Our perception of reality is in fact based on static and dynamic spatial information perceived by our senses. During head movements in a virtual environment the images on the display and the labyrinthine information relative to the head angular accelerations differ and therefore a visuo-vestibular conflict is present. It is known that mismatches between visual and labyrinthine information may modify the vestibulo-oculomotor reflex (VOR) gain. We studied the post-immersion modifications in 20 healthy subjects (mean age 25 years) exposed to a virtual environment for 20 min by wearing a head-mounted display. VOR gain and phase were measured by means of harmonic sinusoidal stimulation in the dark before, at the end of and 30 min after VR exposure. A VOR gain reduction was observed in all subjects at the end of VR exposure which disappeared after 30 min. Our data show that exposure to a virtual environment can induce a temporary modification of the VOR gain. This finding can be employed to enable an artificial, instrumental modification of the VOR gain and therefore opens up new perspectives in the assessment and rehabilitation of vestibular diseases.
Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologicum Amicitiae Sacrum
Washington
2001
Rilevanza internazionale
contributo
27-ago-2000
2001
Settore MED/31 - OTORINOLARINGOIATRIA
Settore MED/32 - AUDIOLOGIA
English
Vestibuloocular reflex; Modification; Virtual reality; Exploration; Physiology; Human
Intervento a convegno
DI GIROLAMO, S., Picciotti, P., Sergi, B., Ottaviani, F., Di Nardo, W., Paludetti, G. (2001). Vestibulo-Oular-Reflex modification after virtual environmental exposure. In Acta-Otolaryngologica (pp.211-215). Stockholm : Informa Healthcare [10.1080/000164801300043541].
DI GIROLAMO, S; Picciotti, P; Sergi, B; Ottaviani, F; Di Nardo, W; Paludetti, G
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/50136
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