Comparison of head elevation versus rotation methods for eliciting cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials via bone-conducted vibration

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the feasibility of the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) test using bone-conducted vibration (BCV) tapping. Design: Prospective study. Study sample: Initially, 20 healthy volunteers aged 23–38 years underwent cVEMP tests in supine position using head elevation method by BCV tapping at the Fz and inion. On another day, the same subjects underwent cVEMP tests in seated position with head rotation method by BCV tapping at the Fz and inion. Another 20 healthy subjects aged 41–60 years undergoing cVEMP tests by BCV tapping at the inion were also included for comparison. Results: Tapping at the inion (100%) had significantly higher response rate of cVEMPs than tapping at Fz (65–70%), regardless of whether the head was elevated or rotated. Except for mean latencies of p13 and n23, the mean p13-n23 amplitude, corrected amplitude, and asymmetry ratio did not differ significantly between the elevation and rotation methods when cVEMPs were elicited by inion tapping; both methods showed excellent test-retest reliability. Conclusions: The BCV at the inion is the optimal method for eliciting BCV cVEMPs. These responses can be recorded using either the seated/head rotation method or supine/head elevation method.

Key Words::

• Air-conducted sound (ACS); bone-conducted vibration (BCV); cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP); inion; Fz

Declaration of interest: No conflict of interest declared.

This work was supported by a research grant (NSC 99-2314-B002-041-MY3) from the National Science Council, Taipei, Taiwan.