Non-Invasive, Head-Mounted Measure of Vestibular Function

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common result of military engagements and training. One of the most difficult issues in treating mTBI is diagnosing the presence of mTBI and evaluating its severity. Studies have shown that balance disorders are a common symptom of mTBI and can occur in up to 95% of individuals. Existing types of balance testing are not adequate to assess a vestibular disorder in military individuals. We are proposing to integrate a combination of vestibular tests including a Subjective Visual Vertical and Horizontal, VOR Tests with Active and Passive Head Rotation in Yaw, Roll and Pitch axes, Head Impulse test, Dynamic Visual Acuity, Ocular Counter Roll, Optokinetic test in roll and pitch axes, Balance Measure Tests and Sound-Evoked Eye Movement Tests in NKI?s existing head mounted portable assessment system. Feedback from a 6 degrees of freedom sensor will be developed and integrated to measure vestibular reflexes and create feedback for vestibular tests. A prototype will be built for proof of concept and to assess the functional performance of the device with sensor and expanded test battery.