The effects of otolithic vestibular stimulation on sleep.
Item
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Title
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The effects of otolithic vestibular stimulation on sleep.
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Identifier
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AAI8821129
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identifier
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8821129
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Creator
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Woodward, Suzanne Louise.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Arthur J. Spielman
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Date
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1988
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Physiological
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Abstract
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The few studies which have looked at the effects of vestibular stimulation during sleep suggest that it increases sleep efficiency and lengthens REM sleep periods. Differentiation of semicircular canal and otolithic stimulation was not taken into account. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of specific otolithic stimulation on normal sleep as induced by a parallel swing.;A mechanically activated parallel swinging bed was suspended from scaffolding by four ropes with height adjusters. The bed moved between the scaffolding frame with an excursion of 21/2 inches at a frequency of 26 cycles per minute. Eight normal subjects spent two three-night periods undergoing eight-hour polysomnographic recording. The three-night periods consisted of one adaptation night followed by either two nights when the bed was in motion or two stationary nights. Additionally, seven normal subjects underwent one moving and one stationary multiple sleep latency test. Treatment order was counterbalanced between subjects.;No significant differences were found in either sleep REM latencies, number of awakenings or total number of REM periods per night. There was a significant difference in the distribution of stage 2 sleep (F (1,7) = 17.63, p {dollar}<{dollar}.01). The non-rocking nights yielded a higher percentage of stage 2 sleep than the rocking nights. No other significant differences in percentages of sleep stages between conditions were found. Subjects did exhibit a significantly higher REM density index on the rocking nights than on the non-rocking nights (F (1,7) = 12.21, p {dollar}<{dollar}.05). Mean sleep latency on the MSLT in the rocking condition was 10.5 minutes and 12.3 minutes when the bed was stationary. This difference failed to reach statistical significance (p =.12), given the small sample size.;No beneficial effect was seen on sleep quality, this may well be due to a ceiling effect which prevented significant improvement in sleep efficiency in this population. However, these results demonstrate that the motion of a parallel swing bed does not adversely affect sleep of normal subjects. Subsequent studies will focus on the exploration of otolithic stimulation involving subjects with definitive sleep disorders.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
