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Resting in darkness improves downbeat nystagmus: evidence from an observational study.

Authors :
Spiegel R
Claassen J
Teufel J
Bardins S
Schneider E
Lehrer Rettinger N
Jahn K
da Silva FA
Hahn A
Farahmand P
Brandt T
Strupp M
Kalla R
Source :
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences [Ann N Y Acad Sci] 2016 Jul; Vol. 1375 (1), pp. 66-73.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Resting in an upright position during daytime decreases downbeat nystagmus (DBN). When measured in brightness only, that is, without intermitting exposure to darkness, it does not make a significant difference whether patients have previously rested in brightness or in darkness. In real-world scenarios, people are often exposed to brightness and darkness intermittently. The aim of this study was to analyze whether resting in brightness or resting in darkness was associated with a lower post-resting DBN after intermitting exposures to brightness and darkness. Eight patients were recorded with three-dimensional video-oculography in brightness and darkness conditions, each following two 2-h resting intervals under either brightness or darkness resting conditions. The dependent variable was DBN intensity, measured in mean slow phase velocity. A repeated measures ANOVA with the factors measurement condition (brightness vs. darkness), resting condition (brightness vs. darkness), and time (after first vs. second resting interval) showed a significant effect for the factor resting condition, where previous resting in darkness was associated with a significantly lower DBN relative to previous resting in brightness (P < 0.01). The clinical relevance is to advise patients with DBN to rest in darkness.<br /> (© 2016 New York Academy of Sciences.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1749-6632
Volume :
1375
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
27447539
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13172