Abstract

Background and Objectives: Force sensitive resistors (FSR) were used to measure the body sway to galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), and compared with the response obtained from force platform in normal subjects. Materials and Methods: Bipolar galvanic stimulation was applied to the bilateral mastoid process with intensity of 0.5-1.5 mA and duration of 1 sec in 3 different head positions of forward, rightward, and leftward. Results: Elevation of anterior pressure curve and depression of posterior pressure curve resulting from forward body sway were recorded in both feet by FSR. Forward body sway induced forward deviation of the center of pressure in force platform. Elevation of pressure curve in left foot and depression of the curve in right foot resulting from leftward body sway were recorded by FSR. Leftward body sway induced left deviation of the center of pressure in force platform. Orientation of the body sway induced by GVS was directed towards the anode side in the head facing forwards. Leftward and backward body sway resulting from cathodal stimulation on left mastoid process in leftward rotation of the head position and leftward and forward body sway resulting from cathodal stimulation on left mastoid process in rightward rotation of the head position were recorded by both FSR and force platform. Reaction time of GVS did not show any significant difference between FSR and force platform. Conclusion: These results indicate that FSR could be used to evaluate the vestibulospinal reflex to GVS.

• Keywords: Vestibulospinal reflex;Galvanic vestibular stimulation;Force sensitive resistor;Force platform;