At present, there are no studies that the lab is conducting that are open to enrollment at Emory. As opportunities to participate in research become available, a contact form for studies that are open to enrollment at Emory will be posted with the study description. If you are interested in participating in our future studies related to dizziness and balance disorders, please complete the contact form.
Current
DIIVA-MS: Daily versus Intermittent Incremental Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Adaptation as a Novel Treatment for Dizziness in People with Multiple Sclerosis
During this three-year clinical trial, we are comparing the potential effects of two different dosages of vision stabilization exercises (daily or three-times per week) for people with multiple sclerosis. These exercises are performed using an experimental device. This study is being done to answer the question: What is the best dosage of vision stabilization exercises for people with multiple sclerosis who have dizziness and/or imbalance?
- Grove, CR (PI)
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Investigator Initiated Research Grant
Sensitivity of Reflexive vs Perceptual Measures of Graviception to Predict Severity of Space Motion Sickness
Our overarching goal is to validate behavioral perceptual measures of space motion sickness that will preclude the need to use more elaborate reflexive measures. We seek to provide a prediction score for recovering from space motion sickness and to disseminate our results. We aim to evaluate whether the magnitude of asymmetries in utricular pathway function, errors in verticality perception, and/or magnitude of perceived ocular misalignment correlate with the severity of and recovery motion sickness induced by 60 minutes of exposure to gravity transitions.
- Grove, CR (PI)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Human Research Program
- Investigator’s Workshop Grant Augmentation Award
Clinical Implications of Gaze Stability Abnormalities in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Three-quarters of the estimated 2.8 million people living with multiple sclerosis worldwide may experience vestibular symptoms. including oscillopsia. Yet, vestibular-mediated gaze stability mechanisms have not been extensively investigated in people living with multiple sclerosis. To better understand the clinical implications of impaired gaze stability in people living with multiple sclerosis, we examined their gaze stability functions relative to those of people living with vestibular deafferentation; documented oculomotor behaviors unique to people living with multiple sclerosis; interrogated the association between disease-related disability and gaze stability dysfunction; and contrasted the effectiveness of their yaw versus pitch plane gaze stability mechanisms.
- Dibble, LE (PI)
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Research Grant
Incremental Velocity Error as a New Treatment in Vestibular Physical Therapy (INVENT VPT)
The focus of this trial is gaze stability training, which represents the unique component of vestibular rehabilitation. The goal of the INVENT VPT trial is to assess the efficacy of a non-invasive, incremental vestibular adaptation training device for normalizing the response of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The four aims of the INVENT VPT Trial are to: compare gaze and gait stability outcome measures between a novel (incremental velocity error, IVE) and standard of care vestibular rehabilitation (VPT) intervention; compare the unique effect of gaze stability training only (delivered via IVE or VPT) on posture and gait outcome measures; investigate the optimal frequency of gaze stability exercises taking into account the burden on the patient and current best evidence; and characterize inter-trial correlations of the gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, which may predict the likelihood of vestibular adaptation in both mild traumatic brain injury and civilians with unilateral vestibular hypofunction.
- Schubert, MC (PI)
- Department of Defense
- Psychological Health/Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program
- Complex Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research Clinical Trial Award
Previous
High-precision Immersive Robotic Environment for Sensorimotor Rehabilitation
Our central hypothesis for this study was that intensive sensory re-weighting training will result in reduced visual dependence in healthy persons and those with visually-induced dizziness. Our aims were to assess the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of virtual-reality-based robotic verticality assessments; determine the potential diagnostic value of the force intersection point, a postural equilibrium measure; and demonstrate the effects a novel sensory re-weighting intervention.
- Gruben, KG (PI)
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Novel Methods Pilot Award