Abstract
The effect of electric stimulation on the vestibular compensation was studied in guinea pigs. Chemical labyrinthectomy was performed by injecting chloroform into the right middle ear under the light ether anesthesia. Guinea pigs were divided into four groups: control group, 0.6 mA galvanic stimulated, 0.3 mA galvanic stimulated and 0.6 mA pulse stimulated. Electric stimulation was given through both retroauricular electrodes in the animals, which started one hour after labyrinthectomy. Nystagmus and head deviations were analyzed to assess the process of compensation at every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hours after labyrinthectomy.
Electric stimulated groups, especially 0.6 mA galvanic and 0.6 mA pulse stimulated, showed more faster compensation in the nystagmus and head-body deviation than the control group. Therefore, these electric stimulation seemed to give favorable contribution to the vestibular compensation.
