Visuospatial orientation in vestibulopathy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The vestibular system plays a critical role in maintaining the balance function and, therefore, its inputs must be integrated with the highest brain functions. Spatial memory is a cognitive process responsible for recording information about spatial environment and spatial orientation where a person can remember different locations as well as spatial relations between objects. It can be short or long term. For this reason, emerging research suggests the vestibular system can be considered as a potential window for exploring brain function beyond that of maintenance of balance.METHODS: This is a case-controlled study. Thirty-six subjects with age ranging from 20-60 years were included in the study; 18 patients with chronic vestibular hypo-function who received vestibular rehabilitation and 18 healthy controls. All study groups had full history taking of dizziness include: duration, characters, frequency, precipitating factors, reliving factors and associated symptoms, otologic and neurological examination, basic audiological evaluation, bedside vestibular evaluation and caloric testing. For visuospatial memory, Corsi block tapping test was performed.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found on Corsi scores between vestibular loss group and healthy individuals group. There was a statistically significant difference between vestibular loss group pre- and post-rehabilitation except for the bilateral loss group and elderly. A positive significant correlation was reported in young adults when comparing rehabilitation hours with Corsi scores.CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the effect of vestibulopathy on cognition and how vestibular rehabilitation training improve visuospatial working memory in patients suffering from vestibulopathy.