Development of novel vestibular rehabilitation relating interaction between eye movement system and vestibular system

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K20222
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Fujiwara Keishi 北海道大学, 医学研究院, 講師 (70600146)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 平衡リハビリテーション / 末梢前庭障害 / 前庭動眼反射 / 滑動性眼球運動 / video Head Impulse Test

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this research is to develop novel vestibular rehabilitation relating interaction between eye movement system and vestibular system. Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) has been used to evaluate the function of semicircular canal. Although vertical canal function could not be evaluated by conventional tests, dysfunction of the semicircular canals, including the vertical canals, in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) was detected by vHIT. The anterior semicircular canal was less frequently involved than the horizontal or posterior semicircular canal. And significant negative correlations were observed between the semicircular canal function and hearing level in patients with VS.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

末梢前庭障害による難治性の平衡障害に対しては、薬物治療の有効性に乏しく、平衡リハビリテーションによる治療効果が期待される。回転による前庭刺激と、滑動性眼球運動刺激を組み合わせた新しい平衡リハビリテーションを開発することによって、従来のリハビリテーションと比べてより高い有効性が得られる可能性がある。平衡障害は患者の生活の質を著しく下げるものであり、それに対する新規治療法の開発は、平衡障害に悩む患者にとって大きな福音となるものである。