title: Effect of state on nystagmus duration in the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of state on nystagmus duration following administration of the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT). Twenty-four normal children, 12 first-graders and 12 fourth-graders, were administered with SCPNT under three conditions: aroused, relaxed, and alert (standard instructions). Six boys and six girls in each grade participated. First-grade boys and fourth-grade girls demonstrated a statistically significant response decline in the aroused conditions, and a further decline in the relaxed condition as compared to the alert condition. Further analyses demonstrated that the first-grade boys accounted for most of the variance. Possible reasons for the results obtained are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research.
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D004584:Electronystagmography / Q000379:methods*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012063:Relaxation; D013997:Time Factors; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology