Vestibular Motion Therapy

The vestibular system is the sensory system that responds to the position of the head in relation to vestibular motion, specifically, gravity and accelerated or decelerated motion. The vestibular system is found in the cerebella area of the brain and influences righting reactions, muscle tone, standing balance, ocular orientation, visual perception, general arousal/attention, and neck and head orientation. Brain damage to individuals may interfere with the organization of the central nervous system, and, in particular, the vestibular system.
Vestibular damage is found in a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, autism, developmental delay of unknown origin, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, attention deficit disorder, stroke, blindness and hearing impairment.

Research has shown many benefits from vestibular motion therapy including decreased self stimulation, decreased hypersensitivity, increased postural security, increased concentration and attentiveness, increased balance, increased body awareness, calming effects, reduction of abnormal muscle tone at slow speeds and increased alertness at high speeds.

Background and information about SIT (Sensory Integration Therapy):

Sensory Integrative Dysfunction (SID) - SID is a disorder in which sensory input is not integrated or organized appropriately in the brain. Main symptoms of SID look like symptoms of other disabilities that include Fragile X, ADHD, ADD, Autism, Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD), and Tourette syndrome.

Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) - SIT is a theory used by occupational therapists. It is one approach used by therapists as part of a comprehensive and individualized intervention program. Its principles have been recommended for and applied to autism learning disabilities, attention problems, and developmental problems like Fragile X. Rocking in a rocking chair is one of the calming activities that are recommended. Sensory integration intervention is based on a neurophysiological view of autism. The late A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D. of the US developed the theory and practice of sensory integration. She believed every autistic child should have a rocker in his room.

Vestibular Stimulation: Effects on Visual and Auditory Alertness in Children with Multiple Disabilities Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities
Publisher Springer Netherlands
ISSN 1056-263X (Print) 1573-3580 (Online)
Issue Volume 13, Number 4 / December, 2001
DOI 10.1023/A:1012229327941
Pages 333-341
Subject Collection Behavioral Science
SpringerLink Date Monday, November 01, 2004

Allen G. Sandler1 Contact Information and Karen Voogt1
(1) Child Study Center, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Abstract Although vestibular stimulation has been related to increased alertness in both preterm infants and healthy full-term infants, empirical data indicating the effect of vestibular stimulation on alertness in children with multiple disabilities are lacking. In this study we investigated the effect of a brief period of rocking on visual and auditory alertness in children with severe multiple disabilities.
The children's performance on one of the five tasks assessed (tracking a noise-making toy) was significantly better following a 3 min session of rocking in an adaptive swing. This finding is discussed relative to the need for additional research on the effects of vestibular stimulation.
Alertness - multiple disabilities - vestibular stimulation
Contact Information Allen G. Sandler
Email: asandler@odu.edu

Effects of vestibular stimulation on spontaneous use of verbal language in developmentally delayed children.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2, 101-104.
Magrun, M., Ottenbacher, K., McCue, S., & Keefe, R. (1981).
Subjects: 5 mentally retarded preschoolers with severe language delay (age 3—6), 5 trainable mentally retarded (ages 6-10)
Design/Treatment:: Single subject ABAB design. Each treatment (Phase B) consisted of 10 minutes per day for 5 days of vestibular stimulation activities (3 activities from which subject chose).
Outcome Measures: Verbal responses recorded each day during a 5 minute free play situation (following treatment).
Results: Eight of 10 participants showed an increase in frequency of verbal response from baseline 1 to treatment 1. Nine of ten participants showed increase from baseline 2 to treatment 2. Decrease in verbal responses seen in treatment withdrawal phase.
(Book related to study above) –
Vestibular Processing Dysfunction in Children
By Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, Margaret

The Efficacy of Vestibular Stimulation as a Form of Specific Sensory Enrichment
Quantitative Review of the Literature
Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, PhD
Clinical Pediatrics, Vol. 23, No. 8, 428-433 (1984)
DOI: 10.1177/000992288402300802 © 1984 SAGE Publications
2120 Medical Science Center, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706
Paul Petersen, PhD
The application of recently developed, quantitative literature reviewing methods (meta-analysis), detailed in the companion article in this issue,1 is illustrated by examining the results of studies that explored the effectiveness of vestibular stimulation as a form of sensory stimulation.
Sixty- seven studies were located that employed some form of vestibular stimulation as the independent variable. Fourteen of these studies met criteria consistent with traditionally accepted standards of empirical inquiry in the behavioral and biomedical sciences and were included in the review. The 14 studies contained 31 hypothesis tests that evaluated the efficacy of vestibular stimulation as a form of sensory enrichment designed to facilitate various developmental parameters.

An analysis of the results of these tests, using quantitative reviewing methods, revealed that subjects receiving vestibular stimulation performed significantly better than members of control or comparison groups who did not receive such stimulation.

We can begin to answer questions of efficacy using research reports which currently exist when that research is properly synthesized by the quantitative review method. The use of quantitative reviewing procedures is recommended to help establish a consensus when synthesizing conflicting research literature in the behavioral and biomedical sciences.

William E. MacLean Jr.1 and Alfred A. Baumeister
(1) Vanderbilt University, USA
Revised: 29 September 1981
Abstract Four developmentally delayed babies were given semicircular canal stimulation (motion) in an effort to facilitate their motor and reflex development. Each of the children also exhibited abnormal stereotyped movements. The theory was advanced that these movements are related to motor development and that significant improvements in motor abilities will produce changes in the intensity and/or form of stereotypic responding. Semicircular canal stimulation was provided by rotating the children in a motor-driven chair at a velocity of about 17 rpm for 10 minutes daily over a period of 2 weeks. Standard motor and reflex measures were taken before, during, and after the rotation treatment period. Daily observations were made of the children’s stereotyped movements.

Over the course of the study all of the children showed motor and/or reflex changes that were attributable to the vestibular stimulation. In addition, some evidence was obtained linking changes in stereotypic responding to the vestibular stimulation.
This work was supported by PHS Grant Nos.HD15051 and HD13344.

Vestibular stimulation influence on motor development in infants
DL Clark, Kreutzberg JR, and FK Chee
Science 10 June 1977:
Vol. 196. no. 4295, pp. 1228 – 1229 DOI: 10.1126/science.300899
Science, Vol 196, Issue 4295, 1228-1229
Copyright © 1977 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

Perambulatory, normal human infants were exposed to sessions of mild semicircular canal stimulation on 2 days per week for 4 weeks. The gross motor ability of each child was assessed before and after the 4-week period.
The vestibular stimulation effected a significant improvement in gross motor skills.

ARTICLE CITED by following articles:

Feeling the Beat: Movement Influences Infant Rhythm Perception.
J. Phillips-Silver and L. J. Trainor (2005)
Science 308, 1430

The Role of Motor Stimulation in Parental Ethno theories: The Case of Cameroonian Nso and German Women.
H. Keller, R. D. Yovsi, and S. Voelker (2002)
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 33, 398-414

The Developmental Niche: A Conceptualization at the Interface of Child and Culture.
C. M. Super and S. Harkness (1986)
International Journal of Behavioral Development 9, 545-569

The Efficacy of Vestibular Stimulation as a Form of Specific Sensory Enrichment: Quantitative Review of the Literature.
K. J. Ottenbacher and P. Petersen (1984)
Clinical Pediatrics 23, 428-433

Reduction of self-injurious behavior of mentally retarded persons using sensory integrative techniques.
American Journal of Mental Deficiency, p2, 664—666.
Wells, M.E., & Smith, D.W. (1983).
Subjects: 4 profoundly retarded multiply handicapped institutionalized adults.
Design/Treatment:: Single case experimental AB design. 4 weeks baseline observation
treatment. Five 30 minute SI sessions per week.
Outcome Measures: Frequency of self-injurious behavior (head slapping, hitting and biting hands, etc.).
Results: Frequency of self injurious behavior, as documented by direct—care staff
members throughout the day, decreased significantly for all subjects.

LEARNING DISABILITIES

Improving academic scores through sensory integration.
Ayres, A.J. (1972) . Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24-28.
Subjects: 148 LD Ss from which the following groups were formed: 30 Experimental and 30 Control Ss with generalized exclusively auditory language problems. (Average age of groups — 8 years)
Design/Treatment:: Experimental design. Experimental group received SI for25-40
minutes per day, 5 days a week for 5-6 months.
Outcome Measures: Academic: Wide Range Achievement Tests Slosson Oral
Reading Test; Language: Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities; Other: SCSIT

Results: Both Experimental groups show improvement in academic and language variables. Some measures show trend, some reach significance.

Effect of sensory integrative therapy on the coordination of children with chore-athetoid movements.
Ayres, A.J. (1977).
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 31, 291-293.
Subjects: Sample of 54 LD Ss with a mild choreoathetosis (from Ayres 1978 study).
Ss divided into 2 groups - 31 Ss in Experimental group, 23 Ss in Control group. Mean age 8 years.
Design/Treatment:: Children in Experimental group seen individually or in pairs for SI therapy 1/2 hour per day, 5 times a week for 6 months. Control Ss stay in classroom.
Outcome Measures: Eye—hand coordination (MAC)
Results: Therapy group shows greater improvement than classroom control (p<.06)

Learning disabilities and the vestibular system.
Ayres, A.J. (1978).
Journal of Learning Disabilities, 11, 30 -41.
Subjects: 128 LD Ss ages 6-10 from which 2 groups were drawn:
46 Experimental, 46 Control (Mean age — 8 years)
Design/Treatment:: Experimental group received SI for 1/2 hour per day, 5 days a
week for 5 months. Control Ss stay in classroom.
Outcome Measures: Academic: Wide Range Achievement Tests, Slosson Oral
Reading Test; Auditory Language: Flowers Costello Test of Central Auditory Abilities; Other: MAC and DC of SCSIT, SCPNT
Results: Hypo reactivity to rotation (PRN duration) predictive of academic success (WRAT scores)

Motor Development after Vestibular Deprivation in Rats
Hildegard C. Geisler* and Albert Gramsbergen
Medical Physiology, Developmental Neurology, Bloemsingel 10, 9712 KZ Groningen, The Netherlands
Available online 13 July 1998.
Abstract
GEISLER, H.C. AND A. GRAMSBERGEN. Motor development after vestibular deprivation in rats. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV 22(4) 565–569, 1998.—This review summarizes the postural development in the rat and the influences of vestibular deprivation from the 5th postnatal day on this development.

Vestibular deprivation leads to a delay in motor development.
Most probably this delay is caused by a delay in the development of postural control, which is characterized by a retarded EMG development in postural muscles. Our results indicate that the developing nervous system cannot compensate for a vestibular deficit during the early phase of ontogeny.