Influence of blood pressure manometer feedback on the parameters of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential test

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the merits of a blood pressure (BP) manometry feedback method for measurement of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. Methods: Sixty ears of 30 normal volunteers were prospectively investigated. The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were recorded under 3 different conditions: In the feedback-negative (FB–) condition, ie, in a sitting position without feedback; in the feedback-positive (FB+) condition, ie, in a sitting position with self-monitored BP feedback (using a BP cuff); and in a supine condition, ie, in a supine position without feedback. The interaural amplitude difference (IAD) ratios and interaural latency differences were analyzed. Results: The mean IAD ratio was smaller in the FB+ condition than in the FB– and supine conditions, but the difference was without statistical significance. The upper limits of the normal range of the IAD ratios were 39.5%, 18.3%, and 25.9% for the FB–, FB+, and supine conditions, respectively. The interaural latency difference of p13 was significantly smaller in the supine condition than in the FB– and FB+ conditions. Conclusions: Although the reduction of the mean IAD ratio did not reach statistical significance by feedback monitoring in our study, feedback using a BP manometer may have some clinical significance, in that a more stable IAD ratio may be obtained with a narrower normal range and a smaller variation.