Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) in evaluating the vestibulo-saccadic interaction in patients with vestibular neuritis.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the potential clinical application of the Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) in evaluating the vestibulo-saccadic interaction in patients with vestibular neuritis (VN).

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed. Fifteen patients diagnosed with unilateral VN were identified from a database of ENT vestibular clinic from January 2011 to February 2020. Medical records were reviewed to determine clinical presentation, vestibular testing results, treatment, and recovery.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (7 left ear, 8 right ear, mean age 58.73 ± 10.73, six female) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Significant differences were found in the within-subjects analysis at T1 in DHI score (p = 0.001), VOR gain (p < 0.005), and in the percentages of impulses containing a SHIMPs saccade when the head is passively turned toward the affected side (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SHIMPs paradigm provides useful information about the value of vestibulo-saccadic interaction as new recovery strategies in patients with VN.