Research in Vestibular Science

Reviews

Clinical Applications of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: Jeong Yoon Choi; Res Vestib Sci. 2015;14(2):37-41.

Abstract PDF: Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) may be one of the important clinical tools for evaluation of vestibular function. Cervical VEMP evaluates saccule and reflects the functional status of inferior vestibular nerve combining with vertical head impulse test. Ocular VEMP assesses utricle function and provides superior vestibular nerve function in addition to horizontal head impulse test and caloric test. Currently, the clinical implications of VEMP have been expanded to estimate disease severity and location, differentiate diverse vestibular disorders, and predict the prognosis. In present review, we discuss the findings of VEMP according to the lesion location from peripheral vestibular dysfunction to central vestibulopathy and disease characteristics from monophasic transient disorders to chronic progressive disorders.

Use of Parabolic Flight for the Research of Aerospace Biomedicine: Young Hyo Kim, Joo Hee Lee, Chang Kyung Ryoo, Hyun Ji Kim, Kyu Sung Kim; Res Vestib Sci. 2015;14(2):42-45.

Abstract PDF: As it is difficult to perform biological study in the actual space, several researchers have tried to develop methods that could ‘mimic’ microgravity condition on Earth. During the free fall of the aircraft, so-called ‘parabolic flight’, objects in a plane could experience weightlessness during a short period of time (approximately 20 to 30 seconds). We first reviewed former studies using parabolic flight in a variety of research filed including vestibular, neurologic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and immune system. We also investigated the actual conditions of biologic research using parabolic flight in Korea, by performing a questionnaire survey for 19 experts in space biology.

Original Articles

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Subjective Dizziness in Korean: Eun Kyu Park, Ji Won Cho, Hyo Geun Choi; Res Vestib Sci. 2015;14(2):46-49.

Abstract PDF: Background
and Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of subjective dizziness complaints in general population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. We evaluated data from 12,653 subjects who were interviewed between 2010 and 2012. Results: The prevalence of subjective dizziness was 21.7%. Female gender (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.959; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.680?2.284; p＜0.001), lower alcohol consumption (reference ≤1 time a month; 1?4 times a month [AOR]=0.844, 95% CI=0.752? 0.948; ≥2 times a week, AOR=0.812, 95% CI=0.705?0.935, p=0.002), higher stress (AOR=1.784, 95% CI=1.613?1.973, p＜0.001), lower income (reference=lowest; middle low, AOR=0.815, 95% CI=0.720?0.923; middle high, AOR=0.696, 95% CI=0.606?0.799; highest, AOR=0.682, 95% CI=0.594?0.784, p＜0.001) increased odds ratio of subjective dizziness, while body mass index and smoking was not associated with subjective dizziness. Conclusion: This large population-based study provides reliable information about the prevalence and risk factors of subjective dizziness of Korean population.

The Correlation between Dizziness and Anxiety, Depression, and Type D Personality in Patients with Chronic Dizziness: Jun Hyeok Lee, Yoon Seok Choi, Si Youn Song, Yong Dae Kim, Chang Hoon Bae; Res Vestib Sci. 2015;14(2):50-54.

Abstract PDF: Background
and Objectives: Dizziness often takes a chronic course and can influence the emotion of life. Dizziness is associated with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. Type D personality is also related to the negative emotions including anxiety and depression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the correlation between chronic dizziness and anxiety/depression/ type D personality. Materials and Methods: Chronic dizziness was defined when the dizziness had persisted more than three months. We analyzed the data of 72 patients with chronic dizziness between November 2012 and August 2014. The patients with chronic dizziness were asked to complete a survey regarding demographic data, history of dizziness, Beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A), type D personality scale 14 (DS-14), and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Results: The patients with chronic dizziness had a trend of higher frequency of type D personality (52.7%) compared to general population. In the patients with chronic dizziness, there was significant positive correlation between DHI score and BDI-II, HAM-A, and DS-14 score. Conclusion: These
results
suggest that the patients with chronic dizziness, compared to the general population, have a trend of higher frequency of type D personality. There is significant positive correlation between chronic dizziness and anxiety/depression/ type D personality.

Case Report

Transition from Canalolithiasis to Cupulolithiasis by the Head-Bending Posture and Canalith Repositioning by Using the Side-Lying Position in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo of Horizontal Semicircular Canal: Sung Yong Choi, Yee Hyuk Kim; Res Vestib Sci. 2015;14(2):55-59.

Abstract PDF: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common disease of the peripheral vestibular disorder. A 51-year-old man showed geotropic horizontal nystagmus in the head roll test. After head-bending posture, the nystagmus of the patient was changed to apogeotropic horizontal nystagmus in the head roll test. We concluded that transition of canalolithiasis into cupulolithiasis happened during head-bending posture. The cupulolithiasis was returned to canalolithiasis by using side-lying position with the affected ear downward for approximately 45 minutes.

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