The Influence of Amplitude and Frequency of Vestibular Stimulation on the Activity of Two-Month-Old Infants

Normal and Pathological Maturation of Vestibular Function in the Human Child11This research was supported in part by National Eye Institute Grant No. EY-02612.

“…The heart rate response to vestibular, auditory, and tactile stimulation was studied in 46 1-3-day-old full-term newborns during both sleep and waking (Pomerleau-Malcuit and Clifton, 1973). These results suggest that vestibular stimulation may elicit an arousal reaction, contrary to studies indicating reduction of arousal (Körner and Thoman, 1972;Pederson and Ter Vrugt, 1973;Ter Vrugt and Pederson, 1973). In waking infants, both vestibular and auditory stimulation induced cardiac acceleration, indicating increased arousal.…”

Effects of Rocking on Neuromuscular Development in the Premature

“…I). Early trials coupled with reports by Neal [10], Peder son and TcrVrugt [26] and TerVrugt and Petersen [27] resulted in a decision to expose infants to sinu soidal oscillation over 45° at a rate of 15 cycles/min. The original mattress support was replaced with Plexiglas molded in a wide 'U' configuration designed to provide lateral stability for the infant.…”

Vestibular Stimulation in Early Childhood: A Review

“…Problems in the pattern of interaction between mother and handicapped infant may arise because the infant fails to stimulate and reinforce the mother by responding to her caretaking behavior (Stone & Chesney, 1978). Pederson and Ter Vrugt (1973) pointed out that vestibular stimulation may foster mother-infant attachment since it provides the mother with a powerful technique for controlling her infant's crying. Confirmation that the mother has understood and responded effectively to her infant's crying, which is communicated as the infant is soothed by her actions, has been reported to have a significant impact upon the developing mother-infant bond (Klaus, Jerauld, Kreger, McAlpine, Steffa, & Kennell, 1972).…”

“…Greater amplitude, given a range of between 0 and 5 inches, and higher frequency of rocking, given a range of between 0 and 70 cycles per minute, were found to be more effective in soothing 2-month-old infants (Pederson & Ter Vrugt, 1973). Increased effectiveness was also related to higher frequencies of rocking by Van Den Daele (1970), Ter Vrugt and Pederson (1973), and Pederson (1975). Direction of rocking has also been examined.…”

“…A number of researchers have examined this phenomenon and confirmed that rocking does have a significant pacifying effect (Korner & Thoman, 1972;Pederson, 1973;Van den Daele, 1970). Infants used in these studies were nonhandicapped, and ranged in age from 2 days to 7 months.…”