Evaluation of vestibulo-ocular reflex at different optotype display times with functional head impulse test in e-sports players

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the functional head impulse test (f-HIT) percentages of e-sports (electronic sports) players and non-gaming individuals at different C optotype display times. Material and Method: The study, conducted between March and December 2023 at the Baskent University Ankara Hospital Otorhinolaryngology Department Audiology Clinic, included a total of 36 participants equally divided into two groups: e-sports players and healthy volunteers. All 36 participants underwent the f-HIT test three times, with Landolt C optotype displays at 30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In the control group, 55.6% (n=10) of participants were female, and 44.4% (n=8) were male. In the e-sports group, 50% (n=9) were female and 50% (n=9) were male. There was a statistically significant difference between the control and e-sports groups in the mean z-values for lateral, LARP (left anterior/right posterior), and RALP (right anterior/left posterior) at 30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the mean z-values for lateral, LARP, and RALP measurements (30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms) within the control and e-sports groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the average percentages of correct responses for lateral right and left at 30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms between the control and e-sports groups. However, no significant difference was observed in the average percentages of correct responses for lateral right and left (30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms) within the controll and e-sports groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the average percentages of correct responses for LARP right at 45 ms and 60 ms, and LARP left at 30 ms and 60 ms between the control and e-sports groups (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the average percentages of correct responses for LARP right and left (30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms) within the control and e-sports groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in the average percentages of correct responses for RALP right at 30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms, and RALP left at 45 ms and 60 ms between the control and e-sports groups (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the average percentages of correct responses for RALP right and left (30 ms, 45 ms, and 60 ms) within the control and e-sports groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that e-sports players had lower z-values and higher correct response rates across all lateral, LARP, and RALP data. According to the results of our study, it is suggested that further studies with larger populations may be beneficial. Keywords: Functional head impuls test (f-HIT); e-sport; VOR This study was approved by Baskent University Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee (Project no: KA23/36 and supported by Baskent University Research Fund.