Vestibular Stimulation May Drive Multisensory Processing: Principles for Targeted Sensorimotor Therapy (TSMT).

Brigitta Tele-Heri,Rudolf Gesztelyi,Judit Palinkas,Csaba E More,Karoly Dobos,Fanni Fenyosi,Judit Zsuga,Szilvia Harsanyi

doi:10.3390/brainsci11081111

Abstract

At birth, the vestibular system is fully mature, whilst higher order sensory processing is yet to develop in the full-term neonate. The current paper lays out a theoretical framework to account for the role vestibular stimulation may have driving multisensory and sensorimotor integration. Accordingly, vestibular stimulation, by activating the parieto-insular vestibular cortex, and/or the posterior parietal cortex may provide the cortical input for multisensory neurons in the superior colliculus that is needed for multisensory processing. Furthermore, we propose that motor development, by inducing change of reference frames, may shape the receptive field of multisensory neurons. This, by leading to lack of spatial contingency between formally contingent stimuli, may cause degradation of prior motor responses. Additionally, we offer a testable hypothesis explaining the beneficial effect of sensory integration therapies regarding attentional processes. Key concepts of a sensorimotor integration therapy (e.g., targeted sensorimotor therapy (TSMT)) are also put into a neurological context. TSMT utilizes specific tools and instruments. It is administered in 8-weeks long successive treatment regimens, each gradually increasing vestibular and postural stimulation, so sensory-motor integration is facilitated, and muscle strength is increased. Empirically TSMT is indicated for various diseases. Theoretical foundations of this sensorimotor therapy are discussed.

Highlights

While sensory organs develop in utero, e.g., the mature neonate is born with a fully functional vestibular organ, higher order sensory processing is yet to mature in the fullterm neonate [1]
Vestibular stimulation, by activating the parieto-insular vestibular cortex, and/or the posterior parietal cortex may provide the cortical input for multisensory neurons in the superior colliculus that is needed for multisensory processing
multisensory integration (MSI) based on integration of sensory information weighted according to the precision of sensory cues was shown to underlie optimal motion and orientation estimates when sensorimotor integration was investigated using a limb movement control task [32]

Summary

Introduction

While sensory organs develop in utero, e.g., the mature neonate is born with a fully functional vestibular organ, higher order sensory processing is yet to mature in the fullterm neonate [1]. Previous reports have established compromised multisensory integration (MSI) in delayed motor development [1], moderately severe to severe cerebral palsy [3,4], intellectual disability [5,6], autism spectrum disorder [7,8], problems with attention including diagnosed attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder [9], sensory organ dysfunction [10] and presence of sensory processing disorders [11]. The current paper lays out a theoretical framework to account for the role vestibular stimulation may have driving multisensory and sensorimotor integration. This framework offers a testable hypothesis explaining the beneficial effect of sensory integration therapies for attentional processes. Implications of these processes regarding a form of sensorimotor therapy are discussed

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