Comparing saccades in Visually Enhanced Vestibular-Ocular Reflex and video head impulse test in vestibular assessment

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel software tool for robust analysis of the Visually Enhanced Vestibular-Ocular Reflex (VVOR) and video head impulse test (vHIT) saccades. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 94 patients with Meniere's Disease (MD), unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH), and vestibular migraine (VM). The MATLAB-based VVOR Analysis System and Saccades All in One software were utilized for data processing. New techniques, VVOR_diff and VVOR_cycle, were deployed for saccade parameter extraction. Results: Saccade incidence rates, examined through vHIT, VVOR_diff, and VVOR_cycle, exhibited distinct patterns in MD, UVH, and VM patients. Frequent instances of multiple saccades within a single cycle were noted on the affected side in MD and UVH patients. Statistically significant differences in saccade gain and incidence rates between the affected and unaffected sides were evident in MD and UVH patients. Notably, high inter-method and intra-method correlations suggested consistency across different methods and potential interactions within one. Conclusion: The software proved effective in extracting saccades and reducing noise in VVOR data, thereby enhancing the evaluation of vestibular function and potentially improving diagnostic accuracy for vestibular disorders.

Keywords

• Visually enhanced vestibular-ocular reflex
• Saccades
• Frequency-dependent
• Vestibular-ocular reflex
• Wavelet analysis