Human vestibular reactions to galvanic stimulation of the labyrinths

The development of illusionary movements and oscillations of the total body mass center in response to labyrinthine stimulation by ascending and descending current was investigated in 37 healthy test subjects. The stimulation of each labyrinth separately or both labyrinths by the current of opposite direction caused illusionary sensations of tilts, turns and tumbles in various planes. When the test subjects were on the stabilographic platform, their total body mass center shifted toward the anode. Simultaneous stimulation of both labyrinths by the current of one direction produced qualitatively new reactions, such as illusionary movement and displacement of the mass center toward the sagittal plane.