The role of vestibular cues in postural sway
Faisal Karmali, Adam D. Goodworth, Yulia Valko, Tania Leeder, Robert J. Peterka, Daniel M. Merfeld
Abstract
Vestibular feedback is important for postural control, but little is known about the role of tilt cues vs. translation cues vs. rotation cues. We studied healthy human subjects with no known vestibular pathology or symptoms. Our findings showed that vestibular encoding of lateral translation correlated with medial-lateral postural sway, consistent with lateral translation cues contributing to balance control. This adds support to the hypothesis that vestibular noise contributes to spontaneous postural sway.
Topics & Concepts
Vestibular systemBalance (ability)ProprioceptionSensory systemPsychologyPhysical medicine and rehabilitationAudiologySensory cuePosturographyCenter of pressure (fluid mechanics)MedicineNeurosciencePhysicsAerodynamicsThermodynamicsVestibular and auditory disordersTactile and Sensory InteractionsMotor Control and Adaptation