Habituation to Complex Vestibular Stimulation in Man: Transfer and Retention of Effects from Twelve Days of Rotation at 10 RPM

摘要

In three experimental runs, a total of nine men rotated at 10 RPM for twelve days. Eight control subjects were tested at comparable intervals. Rotating chair tests conducted before and after the twelve-day run demonstrated that nystagmus and subjective effects produced by head movements during the accustomed direction of rotation (CCW) had diminished markedly. In the unaccustomed rotation direction (CW) one hour after room rotation, nystagmus and subjective reactions approximately equaled reactions which would facilitate reactions during the CW rotation and counteract reactions during CCW rotation. Two days after the twelve-day run, responses to both rotation directions were suppressed as compared with initial levels of response; compensatory reactions had apparently dissipated. Some response decline was still present three weeks after the twelve-day run, but tests after three months revealed considerable recovery toward initial response levels. Reactions to passive whole-body angular acceleration were not greatly altered by the twelveday run. (Author)