Activation Technique in cVEMP Testing
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will investigate two different techniques used for eliciting sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle contraction. Sustained contraction of the SCM muscle is necessary for accurate recording of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs). These responses are used clinically to assess the function of structures within the vestibular system. The British Society of Audiology (BSA) guidelines recommend the head turn and head raise techniques as effective methods for eliciting SCM contraction. However, they do not recommend which technique to employ, leaving that to the discretion of the clinician. The purpose of this study is to determine which activation technique to recommend in the local standard operating procedure on cVEMP testing developed by the Audiology and Vestibular Function Testing service based at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Healthy volunteers will be recruited to the study. The study will be conducted at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. The participants will each be invited to attend one appointment in which they will undergo cVEMP testing, performed using each activation technique in turn. After testing the participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire in which they will comment on their experience of performing each technique and assign each a tolerability rating.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTHead Turn Activation Technique
Participant sat upright with head turned to the side through 45 degrees. They are presented with an auditory stimulus delivered using insert earphones and their cVEMP response is recorded using skin electrodes.
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTHead Raise Activation Technique
Participant assumes caloric test position (30 degrees from horizontal) with head raised. Participant is presented with an auditory stimulus delivered using insert earphones and their cVEMP response is recorded using skin electrodes.
Sponsors
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Able (in the Investigators opinion) and willing to comply with all study requirements. * Male, female or non-binary, aged 18-60 years old.
Exclusion criteria
* Pain, sore areas, broken skin at the sites of contact with skin electrodes * Devices, e.g. cochlear implants, which may cause electrical interference
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cVEMP signal quality | During single 1.5 hour appointment | Ratio of cVEMP signal power to background noise power |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activation technique tolerability subjective feedback | During single 1.5 hour appointment | Participant reported concerns shared through a post-test questionnaire |
| cVEMP signal amplitude | During single 1.5 hour appointment | P1-N1 amplitude measured from the P1 to N1 peaks |
| Activation technique tolerability rating | During single 1.5 hour appointment | Participant reported tolerability will be scored on a four-point LIKERT scale ranging from 1 (highly intolerable) to 4 (highly tolerable) |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed