Noise-Enhanced Vestibular Input Improves Dynamic Walking Stability in Healthy Subjects

Highlights • We examine the effects of white noise galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on the walking performance in healthy subjects. • We demonstrate that during walking a considerable amount of vestibular inputs is below vestibular detection thresholds. • Noisy GVS, which is thought to enhance...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain stimulation 2016-01, Vol.9 (1), p.109-116
Main Authors: Wuehr, M, Nusser, E, Krafczyk, S, Straube, A, Brandt, T, Jahn, K, Schniepp, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic Stimulation
Adult
Aged
Electric Stimulation
Female
Gait
Gait stability
Gait variability
Galvanic vestibular stimulation
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Male
Neurology
Noise
Postural Balance
Sensory Thresholds
Stochastic resonance
Vestibular feedback
Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiology
Walking
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Summary:Highlights • We examine the effects of white noise galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on the walking performance in healthy subjects. • We demonstrate that during walking a considerable amount of vestibular inputs is below vestibular detection thresholds. • Noisy GVS, which is thought to enhance detection of subthreshold vestibular inputs, effectively improves locomotion function. • Noisy GVS predominantly improves characteristics of the walking pattern, which are linked to dynamic walking stability. • Noisy GVS improves locomotion function in a speed-dependent manner predominately during slow walking modes.
ISSN:1935-861X
1876-4754
DOI:10.1016/j.brs.2015.08.017