Cox’s Chair Revisited: Can Spinning Alter Mood States?

Abstract

Although there is clinical and historical evidence for a vivid relation between the vestibular and emotional systems, the neuroscientific underpinnings are poorly understood. The “spin doctors” of the nineteenth century used spinning chairs (e.g., Cox’s chair) to treat conditions of mania or elevated arousal. On the basis of a recent study on a hexapod motion-simulator, in this prototypic investigation we explore the impact of yaw stimulation on a spinning chair on mood states. Using a controlled experimental stimulation paradigm on a unique 3-D-turntable at the University of Zurich we included 11 healthy subjects and assessed parameters of mood states and autonomic nervous system activity. The Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used to assess changes of mood in response to a 100 s yaw stimulation. In addition heart rate was continuously monitored during the experiment. Subjects indicated feeling less “good,” “relaxed,” “comfortable,” and “calm” and reported an increased alertness after vestibular stimulation. However, there were no objective adverse effects of the stimulation. Accordingly, heart rate did not significantly differ in response to the stimulation. This is the first study in a highly controlled setting using the historical approach of stimulating the vestibular system to impact mood states. It demonstrates a specific interaction between the vestibular system and mood states and thereby supports recent experimental findings with a different stimulation technique. These results may inspire future research on the clinical potential of this method.

Impact of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Anxiety Level in Young Adults

“…The present study demonstrates a significant decrease in anxiety level in a student population after a single-duration session of GVS. This result corroborates with similar findings that natural vestibular stimulation can induce a modification of mood state and anxiety (Winter et al, 2012, 2013; Kumar et al, 2016). In 2016, Kumar et al (2016) demonstrated an improvement of anxiety state (STAI Y-A) and anxiety trait (STAI Y-B; Spielberger et al, 1970) in student population after a swinging protocol.…”

The vestibular system

“…While swings and rotating chairs have long been used with the aim of curing anxiety, mania, and depression [113], only two studies suggested that continuous body motions modify mood [114,115]. Interestingly, CVS also changes participants' responses to affective images [116 & ] and decisionmaking tasks [117 & ].…”

Understanding the links between vestibular and limbic systems regulating emotions

“…For instance, spinning chair was used to treat mania or elevated arousal in nineteenth century. [ 4 ] While vestibular dysfunction is well known to affect mood and is associated with anxiety disorders and depression. [ 5 6 ] Conversely, changes in mood/emotions can also influence body balance, which may probably be mediated through vestibulo-ocular reflex pathways.…”

“…[ 14 15 ] Most of the children and even adults such as movements associated with vestibular stimulation and often show positive emotions following movements leading to vestibular stimulation. [ 4 ] Recent research supports using vestibular stimulation as a simple, common therapy for stress-related disorders, which are often difficult to understand and treat with drugs and other conventional therapies. [ 16 17 ] One of the possible mechanisms involved in the benefits from vestibular stimulation may be, reintegration of impaired cortical areas through activating thalamocortical centers.…”