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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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The correlation between Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation and Divided Attention

Authors

;

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2013

Submitted on

Pages

60

Abstract

Dette projekt undersøgte, om der er en sammenhæng mellem galvanisk vestibulær stimulation (GVS) og menneskers delte opmærksomhed. GVS er svage elektriske impulser, der påføres huden nær ørerne for kortvarigt at påvirke balanceapparatet i det indre øre. Delt opmærksomhed handler om at fordele opmærksomheden mellem flere opgaver på én gang. En systematisk gennemgang af forskningslitteraturen fandt både positive og negative effekter af GVS på balance og på præstation i kognitive opgaver. På baggrund af denne gennemgang blev der udviklet et forsøgsdesign, implementeret og afprøvet i en mindre test med 20 raske, unge voksne. Resultaterne var ikke entydige, men projektet leverer et solidt rammeværk for fremtidige undersøgelser. Der blev observeret større variation i deltagernes reaktioner end forventet, hvilket peger på, at yderligere, endnu ikke identificerede faktorer kan påvirke resultaterne og bør undersøges i fremtiden.

This project examined whether there is a link between galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and human divided attention. GVS involves applying mild electrical currents near the ears to briefly influence the inner ear’s balance system. Divided attention refers to managing more than one task at the same time. A systematic review of the literature found reports of both positive and negative effects of GVS on balance and on cognitive task performance. Based on this review, a study design was developed, implemented, and tested with 20 healthy young adults. The findings were inconclusive, but the work provides a solid framework for future studies. Greater-than-expected variability in participants’ responses suggests that additional, as yet unidentified variables may be influencing outcomes and should be explored in subsequent research.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]