• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.27-30
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• 2016

PURPOSE : The effect of the vestibular caloric stimulation with ice water on the autonomic nervous system was investigated using pulse oximetry. METHOD : Thirty-four healthy men and women were subject to a 2-minute vestibular caloric stimulation with ice water, and autonomic nervous activities (low frequency, high frequency, and total power) were measured before and after the vestibular caloric stimulation. Data were analyzed separately for men and women. RESULT : Low frequency, high frequency, and total power in the men and low frequency in the women were statistically significantly higher after vestibular caloric stimulation. High frequency and total power in the women were higher but not significantly different after vestibular caloric stimulation. CONCLUSION : Vestibular caloric stimulation with ice water increases autonomic nervous activities, with the variation being within the normal range. The test can be considered safe for use.