The Influence of Vestibular Processing on Human Cognition
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Role of the Vestibular System in Human Cognition: An Initial Investigation into the Utility of Caloric Vestibular Stimulation as a Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury.
IRAS ID
146092
Contact name
Laura Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research will investigate the potential of caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS), a non-invasive form of brain stimulation, as a treatment for individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). CVS works by cooling the external ear canal which in turn activates the vestibular (aka balance) organs, fooling the brain into reacting as if a real head movement has occurred. Corresponding metabolic changes linked to plastic change and recovery are subsequently elicited across many brain areas. CVS can be administered without any technical expertise or supervision, so is suitable for home-based use.
We plan to recruit a diverse sample of 18 patients from outpatient NHS settings across South East England. Using a multiple single-case study approach, we will investigate whether core cognitive and physiological deficits are responsive to stimulation by comparing patients' performance on behavioural and physiological measures after baseline, placebo and active stimulation phases with the aim of drawing initial insights into the application of CVS within this population.
To constrain and inform our TBI study, a separate group of community-based patients with primary vestibular disease will be investigated. These individuals will complete a similar battery of neuropsychological assessments to those recruited for stimulation. The results from the battery will further help to show which cognitive functions are most reliant on vestibular function, and also provide further clues about which cognitive processes are most likely to be modulated by CVS.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1041
Date of REC Opinion
21 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion