Vsimulator, balance and Meniere’s v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Utilising a moving platform with six degrees of freedom, the VSimulator, to understand balance function and balance control strategies in individuals with Meniere’s and comparing them to control individuals.
IRAS ID
296596
Contact name
Matt Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear characterised by episodic vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. As the disease progresses the individuals balance function deteriorates as the inner ear is damaged. Currently our understanding of motion sensitivity and balance function in Meniere's disease is limited, but previous work by our team in Exeter has highlighted the every day challenges experienced by individuals with Meniere's, for example the motion of bridges when walking over them or train travel. Understanding if and how balance control strategies and sensitivity to motion differ in participants with Meniere’s compared to healthy controls is crucial in a) informing people with the condition of potential challenges thus aiding them in self-management and b) potentially highlighting therapeutic opportunities.
This project will use the VSimulator, a novel moving platform with 6 degrees of freedom that provides an unique opportunity to understand balance in individuals with Meniere's. We will compare the balance control strategies and perceptions of balance in people with Meniere's disease to those without whilst standing on the moving platform under different conditions of motion. Specifically, we will alter the frequency (speed of motion) and magnitude (size of the movement) of platform motion systematically. Balance control strategies will be quantified using motion capture and force plate data. In addition we will ask people to rate the perception of balance on a four point scale.
The results of this study will provide novel insights into the impact of environmental influences on balance and motor control and potentially highlight areas for clinical intervention to improve quality of life in individuals with balance disorders.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EE/0127
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion