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Wang Y, Neto OP, Weinrich M, Abbott R, Diaz-Artiles A, Kennedy DM. The effect of inherent and incidental constraints on bimanual force control in simulated Martian gravity. Hum Mov Sci 2024; 95:103199. [PMID: 38518737 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2024.103199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The ability to coordinate actions between the limbs is important for many operationally relevant tasks associated with space exploration. A future milestone in space exploration is sending humans to Mars. Therefore, an experiment was designed to examine the influence of inherent and incidental constraints on the stability characteristics associated with the bimanual control of force in simulated Martian gravity. A head-up tilt (HUT)/head-down tilt (HDT) paradigm was used to simulate gravity on Mars (22.3° HUT). Right limb dominant participants (N = 11) were required to rhythmically coordinate patterns of isometric forces in 1:1 in-phase and 1:2 multifrequency patterns by exerting force with their right and left limbs. Lissajous displays were provided to guide task performance. Participants performed 14 twenty-second practice trials at 90° HUT (Earth). Following a 30-min rest period, participants performed 2 test trials for each coordination pattern in both Earth and Mars conditions. Performance during the test trials were compared. Results indicated very effective temporal performance of the goal coordination tasks in both gravity conditions. However, results indicated differences associated with the production of force between Earth and Mars. In general, participants produced less force in simulated Martian gravity than in the Earth condition. In addition, force production was more harmonic in Martian gravity than Earth gravity for both limbs, indicating that less force distortions (adjustments, hesitations, and/or perturbations) occurred in the Mars condition than in the Earth condition. The force coherence analysis indicated significantly higher coherence in the 1:1 task than in the 1:2 task for all force frequency bands, with the highest level of coherence in the 1-4 Hz frequency band for both gravity conditions. High coherence in the 1-4 Hz frequency band is associated with a common neural drive that activates the two arms simultaneously and is consistent with the requirements of the two tasks. The results also support the notion that neural crosstalk stabilizes the performance of the 1:1 in-phase task. In addition, significantly higher coherence in the 8-12 Hz frequency bands were observed for the Earth condition than the Mars condition. Force coherence in the 8-12 Hz bands is associated with the processing of sensorimotor information, suggesting that participants were better at integrating visual, proprioceptive, and/or tactile feedback in Earth than for the Mars condition. Overall, the results indicate less neural interference in Martian gravity; however, participants appear to be more effective at using the Lissajous displays to guide performance under Earth's gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyu Wang
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, TX, USA
| | - Osmar P Neto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhembi Morumbi University, SP, Brazil
| | - Madison Weinrich
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, TX, USA
| | - Renee Abbott
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, TX, USA
| | - Ana Diaz-Artiles
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, TX, USA; Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, TX, USA
| | - Deanna M Kennedy
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, TX, USA.
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2
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Clark TK, Galvan-Garza RC, Merfeld DM. Intra-individual consistency of vestibular perceptual thresholds. Atten Percept Psychophys 2024; 86:1417-1434. [PMID: 38658516 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-024-02886-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Vestibular perceptual thresholds quantify sensory noise associated with reliable perception of small self-motions. Previous studies have identified substantial variation between even healthy individuals' thresholds. However, it remains unclear if or how an individual's vestibular threshold varies over repeated measures across various time scales (repeated measurements on the same day, across days, weeks, or months). Here, we assessed yaw rotation and roll tilt thresholds in four individuals and compared this intra-individual variability to inter-individual variability of thresholds measured across a large age-matched cohort each measured only once. For analysis, we performed simulations of threshold measurements where there was no underlying variability (or it was manipulated) to compare to that observed empirically. We found remarkable consistency in vestibular thresholds within individuals, for both yaw rotation and roll tilt; this contrasts with substantial inter-individual differences. Thus, we conclude that vestibular perceptual thresholds are an innate characteristic, which validates pooling measures across sessions and potentially serves as a stable clinical diagnostic and/or biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torin K Clark
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Lab, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Man Vehicle Laboratory, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Bioastronautics Laboratory, Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, 3375 Discovery Dr. AERO N301, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
| | - Raquel C Galvan-Garza
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Lab, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Man Vehicle Laboratory, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel M Merfeld
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Lab, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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3
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Brink A, Keramidas ME, Tribukait A, Eiken O. Factors of significance for the ability of fighter pilots to visually indicate the magnitude of roll tilt during simulated turns in a centrifuge. Perception 2024; 53:75-92. [PMID: 37946509 PMCID: PMC10798017 DOI: 10.1177/03010066231209847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
During coordinated flight and centrifugation, pilots show interindividual variability in perceived roll tilt. The study explored how this variability is related to perceptual and cognitive functions. Twelve pilots underwent three 6-min centrifugations on two occasions (G levels: 1.1G, 1.8G, and 2.5G; gondola tilts: 25°, 56°, and 66°). The subjective visual horizontal (SVH) was measured with an adjustable luminous line and the pilots gave estimates of experienced G level. Afterward, they were interrogated regarding the relationship between G level and roll tilt and adjusted the line to numerically mentioned angles. Generally, the roll tilt during centrifugation was underestimated, and there was a large interindividual variability. Both knowledge on the relationship between G level and bank angle, and ability to adjust the line according to given angles contributed to the prediction of SVH in a multiple regression model. However, in most cases, SVH was substantial smaller than predictions based on specific abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Brink
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michail E Keramidas
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arne Tribukait
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Eye and Vision, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ola Eiken
- Division of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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Gonzalez ELC, King SA, Karmali F. Your Vestibular Thresholds May Be Lower Than You Think: Cognitive Biases in Vestibular Psychophysics. Am J Audiol 2023; 32:730-738. [PMID: 37084775 PMCID: PMC10721247 DOI: 10.1044/2023_aja-22-00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Recently, there has been a surge of interest in measuring vestibular perceptual thresholds, which quantify the smallest motion that a subject can reliably perceive, to study physiology and pathophysiology. These thresholds are sensitive to age, pathology, and postural performance. Threshold tasks require decisions to be made in the presence of uncertainty. Since humans often rely on past information when making decisions in the presence of uncertainty, we hypothesized that (a) perceptual responses are affected by their preceding trial; (b) perceptual responses tend to be biased opposite of the "preceding response" because of cognitive biases but are not biased by the "preceding stimulus"; and (c) when fits do not account for this cognitive bias, thresholds are overestimated. To our knowledge, these hypotheses are unaddressed in vestibular and direction-recognition tasks. CONCLUSIONS Results in normal subjects supported each hypothesis. Subjects tended to respond opposite of their preceding response (not the preceding stimulus), indicating a cognitive bias, and this caused an overestimation of thresholds. Using an enhanced model (MATLAB code provided) that considered these effects, average thresholds were lower (5.5% for yaw, 7.1% for interaural). Since the results indicate that the magnitude of cognitive bias varies across subjects, this enhanced model can reduce measurement variability and potentially improve the efficiency of data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lopez-Contreras Gonzalez
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Susan A. King
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston
| | - Faisal Karmali
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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5
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Allred AR, Kravets VG, Ahmed N, Clark TK. Modeling orientation perception adaptation to altered gravity environments with memory of past sensorimotor states. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1190582. [PMID: 37547052 PMCID: PMC10399228 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1190582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transitioning between gravitational environments results in a central reinterpretation of sensory information, producing an adapted sensorimotor state suitable for motor actions and perceptions in the new environment. Critically, this central adaptation is not instantaneous, and complete adaptation may require weeks of prolonged exposure to novel environments. To mitigate risks associated with the lagging time course of adaptation (e.g., spatial orientation misperceptions, alterations in locomotor and postural control, and motion sickness), it is critical that we better understand sensorimotor states during adaptation. Recently, efforts have emerged to model human perception of orientation and self-motion during sensorimotor adaptation to new gravity stimuli. While these nascent computational frameworks are well suited for modeling exposure to novel gravitational stimuli, they have yet to distinguish how the central nervous system (CNS) reinterprets sensory information from familiar environmental stimuli (i.e., readaptation). Here, we present a theoretical framework and resulting computational model of vestibular adaptation to gravity transitions which captures the role of implicit memory. This advancement enables faster readaptation to familiar gravitational stimuli, which has been observed in repeat flyers, by considering vestibular signals dependent on the new gravity environment, through Bayesian inference. The evolution and weighting of hypotheses considered by the CNS is modeled via a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter algorithm. Sensorimotor adaptation learning is facilitated by retaining a memory of past harmonious states, represented by a conditional state transition probability density function, which allows the model to consider previously experienced gravity levels (while also dynamically learning new states) when formulating new alternative hypotheses of gravity. In order to demonstrate our theoretical framework and motivate future experiments, we perform a variety of simulations. These simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this model and its potential to advance our understanding of transitory states during which central reinterpretation occurs, ultimately mitigating the risks associated with the lagging time course of adaptation to gravitational environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R. Allred
- Bioastronautics Laboratory, Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Victoria G. Kravets
- Bioastronautics Laboratory, Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- Cooperative Human-Robot Interaction Laboratory, Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Torin K. Clark
- Bioastronautics Laboratory, Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
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6
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Allred AR, Clark TK. Vestibular perceptual thresholds for rotation about the yaw, roll, and pitch axes. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1101-1115. [PMID: 36871088 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
This effort seeks to further assess human perception of self-motion by quantifying and comparing earth-vertical rotational vestibular perceptual thresholds about the yaw, roll, and pitch axes. Early seminal works (Benson Aviat Space Environ Med 60:205-213, 1989) quantified thresholds for yaw, roll, and pitch rotations, using single-cycle sinusoids in angular acceleration with a frequency of 0.3 Hz (3.33 s motion duration) and found yaw thresholds to be significantly lower than roll and pitch thresholds (1.58-1.20 deg/s vs. 2.07 deg/s and 2.04 deg/s, respectively). Our current effort uses modern methods and definitions to reassess if rotational thresholds differ between these three axes of rotation in ten human subjects at 0.3 Hz and additionally across a range of frequencies: 0.1 Hz, 0.3 Hz, and 0.5 Hz. In contrast to the established findings of Benson et al., no statistically significant differences were found between the three rotational axes at 0.3 Hz. Further, no statistically significant differences were found at any of these frequencies. Instead, a consistent pattern was found for yaw, pitch, and roll of increasing thresholds with decreasing rotational frequency, consistent with the brain employing high-pass filter mechanisms for decision-making. We also fill a gap in the literature by extending the quantification of pitch rotation thresholds to 0.1 Hz. Finally, we assessed inter-individual trends between these three frequencies and across all three axes of rotation. In thoroughly considering methodological and other differences between the current and previous studies, we conclude yaw rotation thresholds do not differ from those in roll or pitch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Allred
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States.
| | - Torin K Clark
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
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7
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Keriven Serpollet D, Hartnagel D, James Y, Buffat S, Vayatis N, Bargiotas I, Vidal P. Tilt perception is different in the pitch and roll planes in human. Physiol Rep 2023; 11:e15374. [PMID: 36780905 PMCID: PMC9925277 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurophysiological tests probing the vestibulo-ocular, colic and spinal pathways are the gold standard to evaluate the vestibular system in clinics. In contrast, vestibular perception is rarely tested despite its potential usefulness in professional training and for the longitudinal follow-up of professionals dealing with complex man-machine interfaces, such as aircraft pilots. This is explored here using a helicopter flight simulator to probe the vestibular perception of pilots. The vestibular perception of nine professional helicopter pilots was tested using a full flight helicopter simulator. The cabin was tilted six times in roll and six times in pitch (-15°, -10°, -5°, 5°, 10° and 15°) while the pilots had no visual cue. The velocities of the outbound displacement of the cabin were kept below the threshold of the semicircular canal perception. After the completion of each movement, the pilots were asked to put the cabin back in the horizontal plane (still without visual cues). The order of the 12 trials was randomized with two additional control trials where the cabin stayed in the horizontal plane but rotated in yaw (-10° and +10°). Pilots were significantly more precise in roll (average error in roll: 1.15 ± 0.67°) than in pitch (average error in pitch: 2.89 ± 1.06°) (Wilcoxon signed-rank test: p < 0.01). However, we did not find a significant difference either between left and right roll tilts (p = 0.51) or between forward and backward pitch tilts (p = 0.59). Furthermore, we found that the accuracies were significantly biased with respect to the initial tilt. The greater the initial tilt was, the less precise the pilots were, although maintaining the direction of the tilt, meaning that the error can be expressed as a vestibular error gain in the ability to perceive the modification in the orientation. This significant result was found in both roll (Friedman test: p < 0.01) and pitch (p < 0.001). However, the pitch trend error was more prominent (gain = 0.77 vs gain = 0.93) than roll. This study is a first step in the determination of the perceptive-motor profile of pilots, which could be of major use for their training and their longitudinal follow-up. A similar protocol may also be useful in clinics to monitor the aging process of the otolith system with a simplified testing device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Keriven Serpollet
- Training & Simulation, Thales AVS France SASOsnyFrance
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris, ENS Paris‐Saclay, CNRS, SSAParisFrance
| | - David Hartnagel
- Département Neurosciences et Sciences CognitivesInstitut de Recherche Biomédicale des ArméesBrétigny‐sur‐OrgeFrance
| | - Yannick James
- Training & Simulation, Thales AVS France SASOsnyFrance
| | - Stéphane Buffat
- Laboratoire d'Accidentologie de Biomécanique et du comportement des conducteursGIE Renault‐PSA GroupesNanterreFrance
| | - Nicolas Vayatis
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris, ENS Paris‐Saclay, CNRS, SSAParisFrance
| | - Ioannis Bargiotas
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris, ENS Paris‐Saclay, CNRS, SSAParisFrance
| | - Pierre‐Paul Vidal
- Centre Borelli, Université de Paris, ENS Paris‐Saclay, CNRS, SSAParisFrance
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8
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Cullen KE. Vestibular motor control. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 195:31-54. [PMID: 37562876 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98818-6.00022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The vestibular system is an essential sensory system that generates motor reflexes that are crucial for our daily activities, including stabilizing the visual axis of gaze and maintaining head and body posture. In addition, the vestibular system provides us with our sense of movement and orientation relative to space and serves a vital role in ensuring accurate voluntary behaviors. Neurophysiological studies have provided fundamental insights into the functional circuitry of vestibular motor pathways. A unique feature of the vestibular system compared to other sensory systems is that the same central neurons that receive direct input from the afferents of the vestibular component of the 8th nerve can also directly project to motor centers that control vital vestibular motor reflexes. In turn, these reflexes ensure stabilize gaze and the maintenance of posture during everyday activities. For instance, a direct three-neuron pathway mediates the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) pathway to provide stable gaze. Furthermore, recent studies have advanced our understanding of the computations performed by the cerebellum and cortex required for motor learning, compensation, and voluntary movement and navigation. Together, these findings have provided new insights into how the brain ensures accurate self-movement during our everyday activities and have also advanced our knowledge of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disorders of vestibular processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Cullen
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and of Neuroscience; Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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9
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Gabriel GA, Harris LR, Gnanasegaram JJ, Cushing SL, Gordon KA, Haycock BC, Campos JL. Age-related changes to vestibular heave and pitch perception and associations with postural control. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6426. [PMID: 35440744 PMCID: PMC9018785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09807-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults (OAs), and age-related declines across the sensory systems are associated with increased falls risk. The vestibular system is particularly important for maintaining balance and supporting safe mobility, and aging has been associated with declines in vestibular end-organ functioning. However, few studies have examined potential age-related differences in vestibular perceptual sensitivities or their association with postural stability. Here we used an adaptive-staircase procedure to measure detection and discrimination thresholds in 19 healthy OAs and 18 healthy younger adults (YAs), by presenting participants with passive heave (linear up-and-down translations) and pitch (forward-backward tilt rotations) movements on a motion-platform in the dark. We also examined participants' postural stability under various standing-balance conditions. Associations among these postural measures and vestibular perceptual thresholds were further examined. Ultimately, OAs showed larger heave and pitch detection thresholds compared to YAs, and larger perceptual thresholds were associated with greater postural sway, but only in OAs. Overall, these results suggest that vestibular perceptual sensitivity declines with older age and that such declines are associated with poorer postural stability. Future studies could consider the potential applicability of these results in the development of screening tools for falls prevention in OAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Gabriel
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Laurence R Harris
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua J Gnanasegaram
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon L Cushing
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karen A Gordon
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Archie's Cochlear Implant Laboratory, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce C Haycock
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L Campos
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2A2, Canada.
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10
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Diaz-Artiles A, Wang Y, Davis MM, Abbott R, Keller N, Kennedy DM. The Influence of Altered-Gravity on Bimanual Coordination: Retention and Transfer. Front Physiol 2022; 12:794705. [PMID: 35069255 PMCID: PMC8777123 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.794705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many of the activities associated with spaceflight require individuals to coordinate actions between the limbs (e.g., controlling a rover, landing a spacecraft). However, research investigating the influence of gravity on bimanual coordination has been limited. The current experiment was designed to determine an individual's ability to adapt to altered-gravity when performing a complex bimanual force coordination task, and to identify constraints that influence coordination dynamics in altered-gravity. A tilt table was used to simulate gravity on Earth [90° head-up tilt (HUT)] and microgravity [6° head-down tilt (HDT)]. Right limb dominant participants (N = 12) were required to produce 1:1 in-phase and 1:2 multi-frequency force patterns. Lissajous information was provided to guide performance. Participants performed 14, 20 s trials at 90° HUT (Earth). Following a 30-min rest period, participants performed, for each coordination pattern, two retention trials (Earth) followed by two transfer trials in simulated microgravity (6° HDT). Results indicated that participants were able to transfer their training performance during the Earth condition to the microgravity condition with no additional training. No differences between gravity conditions for measures associated with timing (interpeak interval ratio, phase angle slope ratio) were observed. However, despite the effective timing of the force pulses, there were differences in measures associated with force production (peak force, STD of peak force mean force). The results of this study suggest that Lissajous displays may help counteract manual control decrements observed during microgravity. Future work should continue to explore constraints that can facilitate or interfere with bimanual control performance in altered-gravity environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Diaz-Artiles
- Bioastronautics and Human Performance Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Yiyu Wang
- Neuromuscular Coordination Lab, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Madison M. Davis
- Neuromuscular Coordination Lab, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Renee Abbott
- Bioastronautics and Human Performance Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Nathan Keller
- Bioastronautics and Human Performance Lab, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Deanna M. Kennedy
- Neuromuscular Coordination Lab, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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11
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Putman EJ, Galvan-Garza RC, Clark TK. The Effect of Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Learning of Functional Mobility and Manual Control Nulling Sensorimotor Tasks. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:756674. [PMID: 34803637 PMCID: PMC8595260 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.756674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive method of electrically stimulating the vestibular system. We investigated whether the application of GVS can alter the learning of new functional mobility and manual control tasks and whether learning can be retained following GVS application. In a between-subjects experiment design, 36 healthy subjects performed repeated trials, capturing the learning of either (a) a functional mobility task, navigating an obstacle course on a compliant surface with degraded visual cues or (b) a manual control task, using a joystick to null self-roll tilt against a pseudo-random disturbance while seated in the dark. In the “learning” phase of trials, bilateral, bipolar GVS was applied continuously. The GVS waveform also differed between subjects in each task group: (1) white noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) at 0.3 mA (2) high-level random GVS at 0.7 mA (selected from pilot testing as destabilizing, but not painful), or (3) with the absence of stimulation (i.e., sham). Following the “learning” trials, all subjects were blindly transitioned to sham GVS, upon which they immediately completed another series of trials to assess any aftereffects. In the functional mobility task, we found nGVS significantly improved task learning (p = 0.03, mean learning metric 171% more than the sham group). Further, improvements in learning the functional mobility task with nGVS were retained, even once the GVS application was stopped. The benefits in learning with nGVS were not observed in the manual control task. High level GVS tended to inhibit learning in both tasks, but not significantly so. Even once the high-level stimulation was stopped, the impaired performance remained. Improvements in learning with nGVS may be due to increased information throughput resulting from stochastic resonance. The benefit of nGVS for functional mobility, but not manual control nulling, may be due to the multisensory (e.g., visual and proprioceptive), strategic, motor coordination, or spatial awareness aspects of the former task. Learning improvements with nGVS have the potential to benefit individuals who perform functional mobility tasks, such as astronauts, firefighters, high performance athletes, and soldiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther J Putman
- Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Torin K Clark
- Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
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12
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Vimal VP, DiZio P, Lackner JR. The role of spatial acuity in a dynamic balancing task without gravitational cues. Exp Brain Res 2021; 240:123-133. [PMID: 34652493 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In earlier studies, blindfolded participants used a joystick to orient themselves to the direction of balance in the horizontal roll plane while in a device programmed to behave like an inverted pendulum. In this spaceflight analog situation, position relevant gravitational cues are absent. Most participants show minimal learning, positional drifting, and failure of path integration. However, individual differences are substantial, some participants show learning and others become progressively worse. In Experiment 1, our goal was to determine whether spatial acuity could explain these individual differences in active balancing. We exposed blindfolded participants to passive movement profiles, with different frequency components, in the vertical and horizontal roll planes. They pressed a joystick trigger to indicate every time they passed the start point. We found greater spatial acuity for higher frequencies but no relation between passive spatial accuracy and active balance control in the horizontal roll plane, suggesting that spatial acuity in the horizontal roll plane does not predict performance in a disorienting spaceflight condition. In Experiment 2, we found significant correlations between passive spatial acuity in the vertical roll plane, where participants have task relevant gravitational cues, and early active balancing in the horizontal roll plane. These correlations appeared after participants underwent brief provocative vestibular stimulation by making a pitch head movement during vertical yaw rotation. Our findings suggest that vestibular stimulation may be a valuable part of assessments of individual differences in performance during initial exposure to disorienting spaceflight conditions where there are no reliable gravity dependent positional cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivekanand Pandey Vimal
- Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory, MS 033, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA. .,Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA.
| | - Paul DiZio
- Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory, MS 033, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA.,Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA.,Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA
| | - James R Lackner
- Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory, MS 033, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA.,Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA.,Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02245-9110, USA
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13
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Diaz-Artiles A, Karmali F. Vestibular Precision at the Level of Perception, Eye Movements, Posture, and Neurons. Neuroscience 2021; 468:282-320. [PMID: 34087393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Precision and accuracy are two fundamental properties of any system, including the nervous system. Reduced precision (i.e., imprecision) results from the presence of neural noise at each level of sensory, motor, and perceptual processing. This review has three objectives: (1) to show the importance of studying vestibular precision, and specifically that studying accuracy without studying precision ignores fundamental aspects of the vestibular system; (2) to synthesize key hypotheses about precision in vestibular perception, the vestibulo-ocular reflex, posture, and neurons; and (3) to show that groups of studies that are thoughts to be distinct (e.g., perceptual thresholds, subjective visual vertical variability, neuronal variability) are actually "two sides of the same coin" - because the methods used allow results to be related to the standard deviation of a Gaussian distribution describing the underlying neural noise. Vestibular precision varies with age, stimulus amplitude, stimulus frequency, body orientation, motion direction, pathology, medication, and electrical/mechanical vestibular stimulation, but does not vary with sex. The brain optimizes precision during integration of vestibular cues with visual, auditory, and/or somatosensory cues. Since a common concern with precision metrics is time required for testing, we describe approaches to optimize data collection and provide evidence that fatigue and session effects are minimal. Finally, we summarize how precision is an individual trait that is correlated with clinical outcomes in patients as well as with performance in functional tasks like balance. These findings highlight the importance of studying vestibular precision and accuracy, and that knowledge gaps remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Diaz-Artiles
- Bioastronautics and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3141, USA. https://bhp.engr.tamu.edu
| | - Faisal Karmali
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA.
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14
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Karmali F, Goodworth AD, Valko Y, Leeder T, Peterka RJ, Merfeld DM. The role of vestibular cues in postural sway. J Neurophysiol 2021; 125:672-686. [PMID: 33502934 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00168.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlling posture requires continuous sensory feedback about body motion and orientation, including from the vestibular organs. Little is known about the role of tilt vs. translation vs. rotation vestibular cues. We examined whether intersubject differences in vestibular function were correlated with intersubject differences in postural control. Vestibular function was assayed using vestibular direction-recognition perceptual thresholds, which determine the smallest motion that can be reliably perceived by a subject seated on a motorized platform in the dark. In study A, we measured thresholds for lateral translation, vertical translation, yaw rotation, and head-centered roll tilts. In study B, we measured thresholds for roll, pitch, and left anterior-right posterior and right anterior-left posterior tilts. Center-of-pressure (CoP) sway was measured in sensory organization tests (study A) and Romberg tests (study B). We found a strong positive relationship between CoP sway and lateral translation thresholds but not CoP sway and other thresholds. This finding suggests that the vestibular encoding of lateral translation may contribute substantially to balance control. Since thresholds assay sensory noise, our results support the hypothesis that vestibular noise contributes to spontaneous postural sway. Specifically, we found that lateral translation thresholds explained more of the variation in postural sway in postural test conditions with altered proprioceptive cues (vs. a solid surface), consistent with postural sway being more dependent on vestibular noise when the vestibular contribution to balance is higher. These results have potential implications for vestibular implants, balance prostheses, and physical therapy exercises.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Vestibular feedback is important for postural control, but little is known about the role of tilt cues vs. translation cues vs. rotation cues. We studied healthy human subjects with no known vestibular pathology or symptoms. Our findings showed that vestibular encoding of lateral translation correlated with medial-lateral postural sway, consistent with lateral translation cues contributing to balance control. This adds support to the hypothesis that vestibular noise contributes to spontaneous postural sway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Karmali
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Adam D Goodworth
- Kinesiology Department, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Yulia Valko
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tania Leeder
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert J Peterka
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Daniel M Merfeld
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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15
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Human vestibular perceptual thresholds for pitch tilt are slightly worse than for roll tilt across a range of frequencies. Exp Brain Res 2020; 238:1499-1509. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05830-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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16
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Learning and long-term retention of dynamic self-stabilization skills. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2775-2787. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05631-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Clark TK, Newman MC, Karmali F, Oman CM, Merfeld DM. Mathematical models for dynamic, multisensory spatial orientation perception. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 248:65-90. [PMID: 31239146 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Mathematical models have been proposed for how the brain interprets sensory information to produce estimates of self-orientation and self-motion. This process, spatial orientation perception, requires dynamically integrating multiple sensory modalities, including visual, vestibular, and somatosensory cues. Here, we review the progress in mathematical modeling of spatial orientation perception, focusing on dynamic multisensory models, and the experimental paradigms in which they have been validated. These models are primarily "black box" or "as if" models for how the brain processes spatial orientation cues. Yet, they have been effective scientifically, in making quantitative hypotheses that can be empirically assessed, and operationally, in investigating aircraft pilot disorientation, for example. The primary family of models considered, the observer model, implements estimation theory approaches, hypothesizing that internal models (i.e., neural systems replicating the behavior/dynamics of physical systems) are used to produce expected sensory measurements. Expected signals are then compared to actual sensory afference, yielding sensory conflict, which is weighted to drive central perceptions of gravity, angular velocity, and translation. This approach effectively predicts a wide range of experimental scenarios using a small set of fixed free parameters. We conclude with limitations and applications of existing mathematical models and important areas of future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torin K Clark
- Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States.
| | - Michael C Newman
- Environmental Tectonics Corporation, Southampton, PA, United States
| | - Faisal Karmali
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, United States; Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Charles M Oman
- Human Systems Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Daniel M Merfeld
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab (NAMRL), Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton (NAMRUD), Dayton, OH, United States
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18
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The velocity storage time constant: Balancing between accuracy and precision. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 248:269-276. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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19
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The influence of target distance on perceptual self-motion thresholds and the vestibulo-ocular reflex during interaural translation. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 248:197-208. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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20
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Galvan-Garza RC, Clark TK, Sherwood D, Diaz-Artiles A, Rosenberg M, Natapoff A, Karmali F, Oman CM, Young LR. Human perception of whole body roll-tilt orientation in a hypogravity analog: underestimation and adaptation. J Neurophysiol 2018; 120:3110-3121. [PMID: 30332330 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00140.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Overestimation of roll tilt in hypergravity ("G-excess" illusion) has been demonstrated, but corresponding sustained hypogravic conditions are impossible to create in ground laboratories. In this article we describe the first systematic experimental evidence that in a hypogravity analog, humans underestimate roll tilt. We studied perception of self-roll tilt in nine subjects, who were supine while spun on a centrifuge to create a hypogravity analog. By varying the centrifuge rotation rate, we modulated the centripetal acceleration (GC) at the subject's head location (0.5 or 1 GC) along the body axis. We measured orientation perception using a subjective visual vertical task in which subjects aligned an illuminated bar with their perceived centripetal acceleration direction during tilts (±11.5-28.5°). As hypothesized, based on the reduced utricular otolith shearing, subjects initially underestimated roll tilts in the 0.5 GC condition compared with the 1 GC condition (mean perceptual gain change = -0.27, P = 0.01). When visual feedback was given after each trial in 0.5 GC, subjects' perceptual gain increased in approximately exponential fashion over time (time constant = 16 tilts or 13 min), and after 45 min, the perceptual gain was not significantly different from the 1 GC baseline (mean gain difference between 1 GC initial and 0.5 GC final = 0.16, P = 0.3). Thus humans modified their interpretation of sensory cues to more correctly report orientation during this hypogravity analog. Quantifying the acute orientation perceptual learning in such an altered gravity environment may have implications for human space exploration on the moon or Mars. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Humans systematically overestimate roll tilt in hypergravity. However, human perception of orientation in hypogravity has not been quantified across a range of tilt angles. Using a centrifuge to create a hypogravity centripetal acceleration environment, we found initial underestimation of roll tilt. Providing static visual feedback, perceptual learning reduced underestimation during the hypogravity analog. These altered gravity orientation perceptual errors and adaptation may have implications for astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel C Galvan-Garza
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Torin K Clark
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts.,Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado , Boulder, Colorado
| | - David Sherwood
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ana Diaz-Artiles
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York.,Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas
| | - Marissa Rosenberg
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,KBRwyle Science, Technology, and Engineering Group , Houston, Texas
| | - Alan Natapoff
- Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Faisal Karmali
- Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts.,Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts.,Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Charles M Oman
- Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Laurence R Young
- Man-Vehicle Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, Massachusetts
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