The purpose of this article was to critically examine the literature dealing with the impact of vestibular stimulation on the sensory-motor performance of individuals evidencing handicapping conditions. The research examined consisted of studies in which vestibular stimulation was employed in conjunction with other intervention procedures and studies in which either angular or linear forms of vestibular stimulation were used as the sole form of treatment. Evidence supporting the supposition that vestibular stimulation enhances the sensory-motor performance of handicapped individuals was found to be tentative at best, and possible directions for future research were indicated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AyresJ.A. (1974). Sensory integration and learning disorders. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
2.
AyresJ.A. (1976). The effect of sensory integrative therapy on learning disabled children, Pasadena, CA: Center for the Study of Sensory Integrative Dysfunction.
3.
AyresJ.A.HeskettW.M. (1972). Sensory integrative dysfunction in young schizophrenic girl. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 2, 174–181.
4.
BarnardK.E. (1976). A program of stimulation for infants born prematurely. Bethesda, MD. National Institutes of Health. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 112 544).
5.
BobathK.BobathB. (1964) The facilitation of normal postural reactions and movements in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Physiotherapy, 50, 246–251.
6.
BobathK.BobathB. (1967). The neuro-development of cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy, 47, 1039–1042.
7.
BobathK.BobathB. (1971a). Motor development. Its effect on general development and application to the treatment of cerebral palsy. Physiotherapy, 57, 526–532.
8.
BobathK.BobathB. (1971b). Abnormal postural reflex activity caused by brain lesions (2nd ed.). London: William and Heinemann.
9.
ButtramB.BrownG. (1977). Developmental physical management for the multidisabled child. University. AL: The University of Alabama.
CassM.A. (1980). The effects of vestibular stimulation on the sensory-motor performances of profoundly retarded individuals. (Doctoral dissertation. The University of Alabama, 1980). Dissertation Abstracts International, 41, 3523.
KantnerR.M.ClarkD.L.AllenL.C.ChaseM.F. (1976). Effects of vestibular stimulation on nystagmus responses and motor performances in the developmentally delayed infant. Physical Therapy, 56 (4), 414–421.
17.
KnoblockH.PasamanickB. (1966). Prospective studies on the epidemiology of reproductive casuality: Methods, findings, and some implications. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 12, 27–43.
18.
MacLeanW.E.BaumeisterA.A. (1982). Effects of vestibular stimulation on motor development and sterotyped behavior of developmentally delayed children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 10, 229–245.
19.
McKibbinE.H. (1973). The effect of additional tactile stimulation in a perceptual-motor treatment program for school children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 27, 191–197.
20.
NealM.V. (1967). The relationship between a regimen of vestibular stimulation and the developmental behavior of the premature infant. Dissertation Abstracts International, 30416A. (University Microfilms No. 70–7342).
21.
NortonY. (1975). Neurodevelopment and sensory integration for the profoundly retarded multiply handicapped child. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 29, 93–100.
22.
RiceR.P. (1977). Neurophysiological development in premature infants following stimulation. Developmental Psychology, 13, 69–76.
23.
RoodM.S. (1956). Neurophysiological mechanisms utilized in the treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10, 220–225.
24.
SellickK.J.OverR. (1980). Effects of vestibular stimulation on motor-development of cerebral children. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 22, 476–483.
25.
SteinbergM.Rendle-ShortJ. (1977). Vestibular dysfunction in young children with minor neurological impairment. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 19, 639–651.
26.
Van-BenschotenR. (1977). A sensory-integrative program for blind campers. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 29, 615–617.
27.
WeinerG. (1962). Psychologic correlates of premature birth: A review. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 134, 129–144.
