Optimizing Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Frequency Range for Enhancing Vestibular Perception and Manual Control Performance

NCT07730398 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: eIRB Study 0530
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 18
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized crossover interventional study evaluated the effects of different frequency ranges of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on vestibular perception, perceptual motion tracking, and manual control performance in healthy adults. Each participant completed three experimental conditions in randomized order: no stimulation (control), low-frequency nGVS, and high-frequency nGVS. Vestibular perceptual thresholds, perceptual tracking, and manual control performance were assessed during each condition to determine whether stimulation frequency influenced sensorimotor function.

Conditions

Vestibular Function Tests; Sensorimotor Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold

  Vestibular perceptual sensitivity was assessed using roll-tilt and interaural translation direction recognition tasks performed on a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform. Direction recognition thresholds were estimated from participant responses using an adaptive three-down, one-up staircase procedure and cumulative Gaussian psychometric curve fitting. Lower threshold values indicate greater vestibular sensitivity and improved perception of self-motion.

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Perceptual Motion Tracking Accuracy

  Perceptual motion tracking performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion. Participants used a joystick to continuously indicate their perceived direction and magnitude of platform motion. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between joystick responses and the programmed motion stimulus, with lower RMSE values indicating more accurate perception and tracking of self-motion.

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Manual Control Nulling Accuracy

  Manual control performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion while participants used a joystick to actively minimize platform motion by generating corrective control inputs. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between the platform tilt angle and the upright position over time. Lower RMSE values indicate more effective manual control and disturbance rejection.

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Roll-Tilt Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Interaural Translation Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Vestibular Direction Recognition Bias

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Perceptual Motion Tracking Variability

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

• Manual Control Nulling Variability

  Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Study Arms (3)

Control - No noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation

NO INTERVENTION

Participants completed testing without noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation.

Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. Low frequency was 0-2 Hz.

Device: Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)

High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. High-frequency was 10-30 Hz.

Device: High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)

Interventions

Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) DEVICE

Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 0-2Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude.

Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation

High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) DEVICE

Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 10-30Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude.

High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 22 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects were required to pass a physical exam adminisitrated by NASA JSC Clinic.

You may not qualify if:

• No history of neurologic, vestibular, or autonomic disease.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): lead

Study Sites (1)

Nasa Jsc B21

Houston, Texas, 77058, United States

Location

Study Officials

• Scott J Wood, PhD

  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: FED
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 15, 2026
• First Posted: July 28, 2026
• Study Start: February 19, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 18, 2024
• Study Completion: March 18, 2024
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: For at least five years following publication.
• Access Criteria: Data can be requested through the NASA Life Sciences Portal (https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/nlsp/).

Locations

US (1)