Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) in evaluating the vestibulo-saccadic interaction in patients with vestibular neuritis

Purpose: Evaluate the potential clinical application of the Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) in evaluating the vestibulo-saccadic interaction in patients with vestibular neuritis (VN). Methods: A retrospective study was performed. Fifteen patients diagnosed with unilateral VN were identified from a database of ENT vestibular clinic from January 2011 to February 2020. Medical records were reviewed to determine clinical presentation, vestibular testing results, treatment, and recovery. Results: Fifteen patients (7 left ear, 8 right ear, mean age 58.73 ± 10.73, six female) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Significant differences were found in the within-subjects analysis at T1 in DHI score (p = 0.001), VOR gain (p < 0.005), and in the percentages of impulses containing a SHIMPs saccade when the head is passively turned toward the affected side (p = 0.001). Conclusions: SHIMPs paradigm provides useful information about the value of vestibulo-saccadic interaction as new recovery strategies in patients with VN.