The use of a neck brace does not influence visual vertical perception

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) evaluates the individual's capacity to determine the vertical orientation. Using a neck brace (NB) allow volunteers' heads fixation to reduce cephalic tilt during the exam, preventing compensatory ocular torsion and erroneous influence on SVV result. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of somatosensory inputs caused by a NB on the SVV. METHOD: Thirty healthy volunteers performed static and dynamic SVV: six measures with and six without the NB. RESULTS: The mean values for static SVV were -0.075º±1.15º without NB and -0.372º±1.21º with NB. For dynamic SVV in clockwise direction were 1.73º±2.31º without NB and 1.53º±1.80º with NB. For dynamic SVV in counterclockwise direction was -1.50º±2.44º without NB and -1.11º±2.46º with NB. Differences between measurements with and without the NB were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although the neck has many sensory receptors, the use of a NB does not provide sufficient afferent input to change healthy subjects' perception of visual verticality.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Funabashi,Martha, Silva,Natya N.L., Watanabe,Luciana M., Santos-Pontelli,Taiza E.G, Colafêmina,José Fernando, Carneiro,Antonio A.O., Takayanagui,Osvaldo M.
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 2011
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2011000400019
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