JNP Podcasts: The Power of Light Touch: How Fingertip Contact Modulates Balance and Vestibular Responses

In this episode, coauthor Megan Goar discusses the recently published research titled "Light touch alters vestibular-evoked balance responses: insights into dynamics of sensorimotor reweighting." The research uncovers how minimal fingertip contact (light touch) during balance tasks can reduce the impact of electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) on body sway. Not only does this touch alter sway magnitude, but it also reveals a high-frequency center of pressure element, tied to vestibular inputs, that is typically unseen in free-standing postures. Ms. Goar explains how these findings highlight the central nervous system’s remarkable ability to adaptively reweight sensorimotor processes to optimize balance control.

 

Light touch alters vestibular-evoked balance responses: insights into dynamics of sensorimotor reweighting

Megan H. Goar, Michael Barnett-Cowan, and Brian C. Horslen

Journal of Neurophysiology 2025 133:1, 142-161