Comparative Effects of Prolonged Rotation at 10 RPM on Postural Equilibrium in Vestibular Normal and Vestibular Defective Human Subjects
Abstract
As a means of better understanding the role of the vestibular organs in relation to ataxic responses to prolonged rotation, two contrasting groups of subjects were studied to: 1) determine quantitatively to what extent two visually-enhanced postural equilibrium test performances of labyrinthine defective subjects (L-D's) on a single rail of optimum difficulty become disturbed along the time axis of rotation (Experiment A), and 2) compare the performances of L-D's with normals in terms of postrotation effects as studied with a new standardized ataxia test battery (Experiment B). Rotation-induced ataxia was superimposed to an appreciable extend upon the previously present and characteristic vestibular ataxia in the L-D's (Exp. A), and (in Exp. B), upon cessation, there were significant decrements on all Test Battery performances of the normal group, whereas in the L-D group significant decrements were observed only on the two visually-enhanced tests. Other findings, which were considered tentative, are discussed in terms of several unresolved methodological problems in such experiments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0617754
Entities
People
- Alfred R. Fregly
- Robert S. Kennedy