The Velocity Step Test

Abstract

The effect of flunarizine (10 mig/day) was studied in open and double-blind clinical trials. Patients presenting the symptom of dizziness were diagnosed as having the hyperventila-tion syndrome. They showed vestibular hyperreactivity in the velocity step test. This test was performed before and after 4–6 weeks of treatment. The results of treatment were compared with a control or placebo group. In an open trial, 12 of 14 patients reported alleviation of dizziness during treatment and showed a significant decrease in right-left asymmetry of their velocity step responses. In a double-blind trial, no significant difference in effects or side effects was found between the drug and placebo groups.

Key Words:

• vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR)
• gain of VOR
• time constant of VOR
• directional preponderance
• hyperventilation syndrome