Scholarly Revival of the Doctoral Research of Prof. Kwadwo Appiah Kubi (2019)

The study identifies that vestibular activations like rhythmic headshaking and balance exercises can help enhance our control over our bodily functions.

A human being’s vestibular system is centered in the inner ear which connects to the eye and lower bottom of the skull. This coordinates the control of bodily movements via the spinal cord.

In the study, it was observed that postural stability is enhanced through actions that enhance the eye, vestibular systems in the eye, and the spinal cord.

We take many things for granted – like the ability to move around and control our actions. There are many health conditions like Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis that limit people’s ability to control and coordinate their bodily movements.

On the other hand, professional athletes coordinate their affairs faster and more efficiently than normal people. They have sharper reflexes and can achieve greater movements in their sports.

Prof. Appiah Kubi’s doctoral research, titled “Effects of Vestibular Training on Postural Control of Healthy Adults” sought to examine how specific exercises can affect the way we coordinate and control our movements. This research did not study a special group of persons of interest – like people with mobility issues or exceptional athletes like Lebron or Messi (as most studies tend to do). It sought to examine general trends on how vestibular exercises enhance the average person’s movement and postural control.

Postural stability is all about maintaining the body in position and across stability limits so people can complete tasks and activities.

The preliminary study identified that vestibular activation exercises like headshaking, balance exercises, shoulder movements, eye movements, and swinging activates the human senses and muscles, thereby enhancing postural stability.

Based on the preliminary finding, the study expanded into a more detailed study of a sample of young healthy individuals to examine the impacts of several vestibular exercises on bodily control and postural stability. This involved a study of different headshakes and their impacts on bodily weight shifts and weight control.

The study applies advanced and technical statistical methods to observe and document major trends.

In general, the study identified that activation of elements of the vestibular systems (in the eye, back of the skull, and spinal cord) improves postural flexibility which in turn enhances postural stability.

The study shows evidence that these concurrent postural exercises force the vestibular system to adapt and develop various strengths that allow people to improve control over their bodily movement. All in all, these vestibular exercises improve reflexes, eye movement variability and muscle activation.

Findings from this study show that vestibular exercises can help target specific sensory deficiencies and address various dysfunctions. This can contribute greatly to the rehabilitation of people with postural stability issues and control problems. It also provides ways of improving basic exercises like headshaking and spinal adjustments to help busy working adults who lack the opportunity to move around as often as they should.

Now you know – your postural movement is linked to your eyes and lower skull via the ears which links the spinal cord. Even if you are not getting enough exercises, remember a few rhythmic movements like horizontal and vertical headshaking, adjusting the spine, and other balance techniques can help you maintain your postural stability. And when you talk to a professional, you can now follow through with the exercises they recommend!

The Scholar In Residence: Kwadwo Appiah-Kubi, PT, MSPT, PhD

An experienced academic, lecturer, and researcher in the United States. He is a competent Physical Therapist and is highly experienced in managing neuromusculoskeletal cases.

His research can be found at: https://scholarshare.temple.edu/bitstream/handle/20.500.12613/2072/p245801coll10_614017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y