THE EFFECT OF ELECTROSTIMULATION ON CALORIC-INDUCED NYSTAGMUS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

The objective of this study was to describe the role of electrical stimulation in controlling peripheral vertigo. In a prospective study on 13 healthy volunteers, nystagmus was induced with caloric stimulation and the interval of nystagmus disappearance was recorded. This time indicates the basal response of vestibular end-organ. After caloric irrigation, pulsed signal was applied for each person through retroauricu1ar transcutaneous electrodes and the interval of nystagmus disappearance was measured, secondarily. In second examination on three new volunteers, simultaneous caloric warm water irrigation in one ear and electrical induction in the other ear were done for a long period. There was a significant decrease in the duration of nystagmus with electrical stimulation in the first stage (p<O.05), and in the second not only was there no rotational feeling, but also at the end of irrigation no strong nystagmus was seen. Regarding the results of this study we conclude that electrical stimulation has a beneficial effect on vestibulosuppression.