Rotary chair and VNG system to advance vestibular care and research in children
Official title: Rotary Chair System equipped with Videonystagmography and pediatric assessment capabilities
Funded at University of Memphis · NIH-11365450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A grant to buy a high-tech vestibular testing system for the University of Memphis to study balance and brain development from infancy through childhood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Memphis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | June 22, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $197,593 |
| NIH project number | 1S10DC024492-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-21 with or at risk for vestibular disorders, and adults up to older age for comparative research, who can participate in vestibular testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in vestibular testing or whose condition does not affect balance or spatial orientation.
What this research studies
This project funds the Interacoustics VisualEyes 525b rotary chair with videonystagmography and a pediatric assessment kit to upgrade our ability to study vestibular function across ages. It will support interdisciplinary research and graduate training in audiology and related fields, helping clinicians and researchers work with children and adults who have balance or spatial orientation problems. By using advanced testing like sinusoidal acceleration and oculomotor exams, the team aims to better understand how vestibular function affects development, cognition, and daily activities. The upgraded equipment will replace an existing unit that is outdated and unreliable, enabling more precise assessments and broader participation in studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved assessment of vestibular function could lead to better diagnosis, management, and outcomes for patients with balance and coordination issues across the lifespan.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tests with modern vestibular equipment have improved understanding of balance issues, though pediatric-specific, longitudinal data are still growing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Memphis
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jha, Raghav — University of Memphis
- Study coordinator: Jha, Raghav
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.