Postural control as assessed with virtual reality

• Published in: Acta oto-laryngologica. Supplement Vol. 545; no. 545; pp. 53 - 56
• Main Authors: TOSSAVAINEN, Timo, JUHOLA, Martti, AALTO, Heikki, TOPPILA, Esko, PYYKKÖ, Ilmari, HONKAVAARA, Pekka, LAURIKKALA, Jorma, LAAKSO, Jouni
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Taylor and Francis 2001
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Ethanol - blood; Ethanol - pharmacology; Feedback; Head - physiology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Movement - drug effects; Movement - physiology; Non tumoral diseases; Nonlinear Dynamics; Otorhinolaryngology functional investigation (larynx, voice, audiometry, vestibular function, equilibration...); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pilot Projects; Posture; Space life sciences; User-Computer Interface; Visual Perception - drug effects; Human; Performance evaluation; Nervous system diseases; Ethanol; Healthy subject; Speed measurement; Exploration; Posturography; Equilibrium disorder; Alcoholic beverage; Food intake; Oscillation; Virtual reality; ENT disease; Adult; Technological test; Technique; Postural fitting; Computer aid; Visuomotor control; Orthostatic equilibrium; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0365-5237; 1651-2464

We studied the use of virtual reality technology as a stimulus in balance examinations. A pilot study was made using a small group of healthy subjects to investigate the effect of alcohol and virtual reality stimulus on the subjects' balance. The tests showed that blood alcohol concentration accounted for almost 50% of the increased lateral body sway velocity. The new stimulus technique based on virtual reality technology seems to be effective and flexible for postural investigations.