Studies of the neurosensory mechanisms of spatial disorientation (vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders) in consequence of brain neurotrauma, injuries of brain vessels, organic, psychogenic and migraine-like vestibulopathies, and studies of mechanisms of recovery of the orientation function with the use of multimodal stimulation computerized means and the hardware-software complex “OCULOSTIM-CM”.
1. Research topic
Development of an innovative computerized method of objectification and differentiation of systemic (vestibular) and non-systemic vestibulopathies of varying genesis; ensuing nonpharmacological therapy and prevention of vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders, developing both during the disease and in many professional activities.
2. Anticipated results
2.1. Development of classification discriminant functions and an integral algorithm for complex computerized method of differential diagnosis of vestibulopathies in subclinical phase of disease without the need of additional clinical survey using the neurology and instrumental means.
2.2. Development of a nonpharmacological computerized method of vertigo/dizziness therapy and prevention based on biofeedback training of the fixation reflex by experimental induction of sensorimotor disorders.
2.3. Development and trial application of a portable multifunctional hardware-software complex (analogous to the HSC OCULOSTIM-CM) that will be used both for the expert-differential diagnosis and therapy, i.e. nonpharmacological correction of vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders.
3. Scope of application
Created algorithms of complex training of the orientation system based on results of the computerized differential diagnosis may find application in the field of expert, preventive and rehabilitative medicine; they can also be used for diagnosis, prevention, correction and arresting of adverse perceptive (illusionary) and sensorimotor reactions equally in patients and people whose professional performance should not be disturbed by these reactions.
4. Anticipated socio-economic benefits
Trial application, approbation and implementation of computerized methods and hardware-software complexes will reduce significantly financial and temporal costs of:
- expert diagnosis and monitoring in neurology, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, psychophysiology, and clinical trials of pharmacological products (drugs);
- pre-flight preparation, training and post-flight rehabilitation of cosmonauts;
- researches in vestibular physiology during long-term spaceflights;
- professional selection and training of pilots and special flight groups;
- professional selection and training of mountain rescuers, industrial climbers, steeplejacks, emergency personnel, controllers, sailors, circus actors and ballet dancers, and athletes of extreme sports.
5. International-level competitiveness.
The developed concept of differentiating and therapy of vestibulopathies of varying genesis using a set of expert-diagnostic computerized tests has no analogs or references in Russian and international literature.