Actively Recruiting
Subthreshold Vestibular Stimulation as a Strategy for Rehabilitation
Led by Creighton University · Updated on 2026-03-17
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
46 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Creighton University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The nervous system responds to changes in external or internal conditions by altering the behavior of neurons through multiple forms of neural plasticity. A specific form of plasticity, "homeostatic plasticity", stabilizes neural activity by driving the excitability of neurons toward a "set-point" level of activity. Over the last six years, new data have come to light showing that the vestibular system also possess a robust capacity to modulate sensitivity to self-motion cues in response to prolonged periods of motion. Collectively, these studies have demonstrated a capacity to use motion perturbations (i.e., low, or high levels of vestibular stimulation) to dynamically adjust the sensitivity of the vestibular system on both the single neuron and behavioral levels. The ability to use subthreshold motion stimuli to drive plasticity in the vestibular system motivates this study. The investigators aim to determine the impact of subthreshold motion on (a) balance performance and (b) balance training in individuals with peripheral vestibular hypofunction.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Subthreshold Vestibular Stimulation as a Strategy for Rehabilitation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Bilateral lateral canal VOR gain of < 0.8 on video head impulse testing OR bilateral positive bedside head impulse test (for bilateral vestibular hypofunction)
- Unilateral yaw aVOR gain of < 0.8 on video head impulse testing OR unilateral positive bedside head impulse test (for unilateral vestibular hypofunction)
- Ability to stand unassisted for 5 minutes
- No leg or foot amputations
- No lower limb braces
- Not currently pregnant by self-report
- Weight less than or equal to 300 pounds due to testing equipment limits
You will not qualify if you...
- Severe head trauma or traumatic brain injury
- History of seizures
- Neurologic illnesses affecting vestibular or balance function (e.g., stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating illness)
- Major psychiatric disorders (e.g., panic disorder, psychosis)
- Eye diseases such as amblyopia, age-related macular degeneration, retina dystrophy, glaucoma, cataracts
- Recent orthopedic injury within 6 months affecting test performance
- Recent surgery within 6 months affecting test performance
- Severe health problems such as heart disease, pulmonary disease, or cancer that may affect test performance
- Pregnancy due to potential risks from study motions
- Additional exclusion criteria may apply as determined by investigators
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68178
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Andrew R Wagner, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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