Vestibular stimulation systems and methods of use

Abstract

A vestibular stimulation system, computer controls, methods, and doses are provided.

1 . A method of administering a dose of vestibular stimulation to a subject, comprising:
 administering to a subject in a rotational device a dose of vestibular stimulation,   wherein said rotational device comprises a roll axis of rotation, and a pitch axis of rotation, the rotation of each said roll, yaw and pitch axis is independent of the other axis of rotation, the rotation velocity and acceleration around each said roll, yaw, and pitch axis controlled by a computer system, and said dose comprises a measurable and repeatable pattern of acceleration intensity and frequency around said roll axis of rotation for a axis of rotation for a first duration, a yaw axis of rotation for a second duration, and a pitch axis of rotation for a third duration, said first, second, and third durations may overlap, said rotational device configured to allow continuous rotation through more than 360 degrees around each said axis of rotation; and   measuring the vestibular stimulation applied to said subject by said computer system.   
     
     
         2 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said dose of vestibular stimulation further comprises a pattern of acceleration intensity and frequency of acceleration intensity around a roll axis of rotation for a third duration,
 wherein the rotation of each said yaw, pitch, and roll axis is each independent of the other axes of rotation, and said rotational device is capable of rotating through more than 360 degree rotation around each said axis of rotation.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pattern of acceleration is a chaotic pattern or regular repeating pattern around at least one of said axes of rotation. 
     
     
         31 . A method of improving sensory integration in a subject, comprising administering vestibular stimulation to the subject according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject has a disorder or condition selected from balance disorder, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. cm  32 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the vestibular stimulation is increased by increments in successive administrations of vestibular stimulation to adapt the subject to increased quantities of vestibular stimulation. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vestibular stimulation is controlled by the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering a response test to the subject. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the response test is a motor reflex control test. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the response test is aiming a light source at an external target. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the light source is laser pointer. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising detecting the aiming of a light source at a target. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the response test is manipulating an external signal. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising measuring and recording the subject's performance. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , comprising tracking the training progress of the subject by comparing performance records over time. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation velocity and/or acceleration is increased by increments in successive training sessions. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational device is controlled by the subject. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein one or more aspects of rotation are controlled by the subject. 
     
     
         45 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the dose of vestibular stimulation comprises one or more inversions of the subject relative to the ground.