Vestibular Function TestsNCT07730398
Optimizing Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Frequency Range for Enhancing Vestibular Perception and Manual Control Performance
A study testing Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) and High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) in people with Vestibular Function Tests and Sensorimotor Performance, run by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This randomized crossover interventional study evaluated the effects of different frequency ranges of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on vestibular perception, perceptual motion tracking, and manual control performance in healthy adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 22 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Vestibular Function Tests, Sensorimotor Performance
- What is being tested?
- Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) and High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 19 Feb 2024to 18 Mar 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 22 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects were required to pass a physical exam adminisitrated by NASA JSC Clinic.
Who cannot join
- No history of neurologic, vestibular, or autonomic disease.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Assessments of Performance in Healthy Control Subjects
This randomized crossover interventional study evaluated the effects of different frequency ranges of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on vestibular perception, perceptual motion tracking, and manual control performance in healthy adults. Each participant completed three experimental conditions in randomized order: no stimulation (control), low-frequency nGVS, and high-frequency nGVS. Vestibular perceptual thresholds, perceptual tracking, and manual control performance were assessed during each condition to determine whether stimulation frequency influenced sensorimotor function.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the frequency content of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation influences vestibular perceptual sensitivity, tracking accuracy, and manual control performance. Healthy adult participants completed a randomized crossover protocol in which they received no stimulation, low-frequency nGVS, and high-frequency nGVS during separate experimental conditions within a single study session. Outcome measures included vestibular perceptual thresholds, tracking error rate, and measures of manual control performance. The results were intended to improve understanding of vestibular neuromodulation and inform optimization of nGVS parameters for future aerospace and clinical applications.
- Being tested
- Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS), High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Device
Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 0-2Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude.
High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Device
Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 10-30Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control - No noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | No intervention | Participants completed testing without noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation. |
| Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | Experimental | Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. Low frequency was 0-2 Hz. Receives: Device: Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) |
| High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | Experimental | Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. High-frequency was 10-30 Hz. Receives: Device: High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Vestibular perceptual sensitivity was assessed using roll-tilt and interaural translation direction recognition tasks performed on a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform. Direction recognition thresholds were estimated from participant responses using an adaptive three-down, one-up staircase procedure and cumulative Gaussian psychometric curve fitting. Lower threshold values indicate greater vestibular sensitivity and improved perception of self-motion.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Perceptual Motion Tracking Accuracy
Perceptual motion tracking performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion. Participants used a joystick to continuously indicate their perceived direction and magnitude of platform motion. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between joystick responses and the programmed motion stimulus, with lower RMSE values indicating more accurate perception and tracking of self-motion.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Manual Control Nulling Accuracy
Manual control performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion while participants used a joystick to actively minimize platform motion by generating corrective control inputs. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between the platform tilt angle and the upright position over time. Lower RMSE values indicate more effective manual control and disturbance rejection.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Secondary outcomes (5)
Roll-Tilt Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Vestibular perceptual threshold for roll-tilt motion was measured using a computerized three-down, one-up adaptive staircase procedure during a 1 Hz sinusoidal motion stimulus. Thresholds were estimated by fitting a cumulative Gaussian psychometric function to participants' left/right direction recognition responses. Lower threshold values indicate greater vestibular sensitivity.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Interaural Translation Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Vestibular perceptual threshold for interaural translation motion was measured using a computerized three-down, one-up adaptive staircase procedure during a 1 Hz sinusoidal motion stimulus. Thresholds were estimated by fitting a cumulative Gaussian psychometric function to participants' left/right direction recognition responses. Lower threshold values indicate greater vestibular sensitivity.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Vestibular Direction Recognition Bias
Response bias during the vestibular direction recognition task was estimated from the mean of the cumulative Gaussian psychometric function. Bias represents the stimulus magnitude at which participants were equally likely to perceive motion in either direction, providing a measure of systematic perceptual offset.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Perceptual Motion Tracking Variability
Variability of perceptual motion tracking performance during continuous pseudorandom roll motion. Tracking variability was quantified using statistical measures including standard deviation and variance of tracking performance, providing an assessment of the consistency and precision of participant responses.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Manual Control Nulling Variability
Variability of manual control performance during the nulling task was quantified using standard deviation, variance, and mean absolute deviation of chair tilt relative to the upright position. These measures assessed the consistency and precision of participants' ability to minimize platform motion.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Jul 2026
- Study start19 Feb 2024
- Primary completion18 Mar 2024
- Study completion18 Mar 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Vestibular Function TestsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Scott J Wood, PhD, Principal investigator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07730398
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- eIRB Study 0530
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in the publication, including vestibular threshold measurements, perceptual motion tracking data, manual control performance data, and associated analysis code, will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Additional study documents, including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and data dictionary, will also be available to support reproducibility. Data sharing will be subject to applicable institutional policies, IRB requirements, and any NASA data-sharing requirements in effect at the time of the request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessments of Performance in Healthy Control Subjects
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07730398
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- eIRB Study 0530
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)US federal agency
- Study start
- 19 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Mar 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized crossover interventional study evaluated the effects of different frequency ranges of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on vestibular perception, perceptual motion tracking, and manual control performance in healthy adults. Each participant completed three experimental conditions in randomized order: no stimulation (control), low-frequency nGVS, and high-frequency nGVS. Vestibular perceptual thresholds, perceptual tracking, and manual control performance were assessed during each condition to determine whether stimulation frequency influenced sensorimotor function.
Detailed description
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the frequency content of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation influences vestibular perceptual sensitivity, tracking accuracy, and manual control performance. Healthy adult participants completed a randomized crossover protocol in which they received no stimulation, low-frequency nGVS, and high-frequency nGVS during separate experimental conditions within a single study session. Outcome measures included vestibular perceptual thresholds, tracking error rate, and measures of manual control performance. The results were intended to improve understanding of vestibular neuromodulation and inform optimization of nGVS parameters for future aerospace and clinical applications.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control - No noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | No intervention | –Participants completed testing without noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation. |
| Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | Experimental | Device: Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. Low frequency was 0-2 Hz. |
| High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation | Experimental | Device: High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation during testing. High-frequency was 10-30 Hz. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 22 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Subjects were required to pass a physical exam adminisitrated by NASA JSC Clinic.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- No history of neurologic, vestibular, or autonomic disease.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Participants received low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 0-2Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude. | Device | Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation |
| High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS)Participants received high-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation through electrodes placed over the bilateral mastoid processes during experimental testing. Stimulation parameters were consistent with the approved study protocol. Frequency was 10-30Hz white noise, 300uA amplitude. | Device | High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation |
Primary outcome
Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Vestibular perceptual sensitivity was assessed using roll-tilt and interaural translation direction recognition tasks performed on a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform. Direction recognition thresholds were estimated from participant responses using an adaptive three-down, one-up staircase procedure and cumulative Gaussian psychometric curve fitting. Lower threshold values indicate greater vestibular sensitivity and improved perception of self-motion.
Perceptual Motion Tracking Accuracy
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Perceptual motion tracking performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion. Participants used a joystick to continuously indicate their perceived direction and magnitude of platform motion. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between joystick responses and the programmed motion stimulus, with lower RMSE values indicating more accurate perception and tracking of self-motion.
Manual Control Nulling Accuracy
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Manual control performance was evaluated during continuous pseudorandom roll motion while participants used a joystick to actively minimize platform motion by generating corrective control inputs. Performance was quantified using the root mean square error (RMSE) between the platform tilt angle and the upright position over time. Lower RMSE values indicate more effective manual control and disturbance rejection.
5 secondary outcomes
Roll-Tilt Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Interaural Translation Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Vestibular Direction Recognition Bias
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Perceptual Motion Tracking Variability
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Manual Control Nulling Variability
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in the publication, including vestibular threshold measurements, perceptual motion tracking data, manual control performance data, and associated analysis code, will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Additional study documents, including the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, and data dictionary, will also be available to support reproducibility. Data sharing will be subject to applicable institutional policies, IRB requirements, and any NASA data-sharing requirements in effect at the time of the request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Scott J Wood, PhD principal investigator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Low-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) and High-frequency noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) in people with Vestibular Function Tests and Sensorimotor Performance, run by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Vestibular Direction Recognition Threshold (time frame: Day 1 (single study visit): Participants completed outcome assessments during each randomized intervention condition (No nGVS, Low-Frequency nGVS, and High-Frequency nGVS). Each assessment required approximately 5 minutes to complete.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jul 2026.