Comparision of cvemp and ovemp responses between latin dancers and non-dancers

Dance is an art in which body posture and balance control and proprioceptive and vestibular system are used effectively. Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) is a non-invasive electrophysiological test that measures the response of the inner ear otolithic organs to high sulcus through the neck and extra ocular muscles. The purpose of this study is to compare the cVEMP and oVEMP responses of Latin dancing practitioners, who require a strict body and balance discipline, with their healthy peers In this study, there were 60 participants of 30 professional Latin dancers and age and gender matched 30 healthy volunteers. None of the participants in both groups did not experience vestibular disorder. Individuals participating in the study were first subjected to an otoscopic examination, followed by audiological evaluation. Participants with better than 20 dB of pure sound averages and who had passed the otoscopic examination were included in the study. Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were measured and latency and amplitude values were measured. In the experimental group of the study, 30 men (15 ears) and 15 men (15 ears) were evaluated. The average age of the group was found to be 32.87. In the control group, 30 men (15 ears) and 15 men (60 ears) were included in the study. The mean age of the control group was 31.37. No significant difference was observed when the amplitudes of cVEMP p13 and n23 latencies and p13-n23 of two groups were examined for both right and left ear. When oVEMP latency and amplitude values were compared between the two groups, a significant difference was observed in n10 (p = 0.019) and n10-p14 (0.000) amplitude values. There was no significant difference in p14 latency value (p = 0.112). Findings obtained in our study are consistent with previous dance and VEMP studies in the literature. Findings will contribute to the clinicians to consider dance as an alternative feasible therapeutic method for the treatment of vestibular disorders.