Dobashi Yumi, Noda Masao, Kuroda Tatsuaki, Miyata Noriaki, Ito Makoto, Tsunoda Reiko, Fushiki Hiroaki
Department of Otolaryngology, Mejiro University Ear Institute Clinic, 320 Ukiya, Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 339-8501, Japan, 81 48-797-3341.
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan.
JMIR Form Res. 2025 Jun 18;9:e73811. doi: 10.2196/73811.
The widespread adoption of smartphones and tablet devices, along with advancements in data communication technology, has resulted in a paradigm shift in the treatment of dizziness. External factors, such as the spread of COVID-19, have accelerated this transformation in recent years. We have been pursuing telemedicine and web-based medical care to treat dizziness and have developed different products and services necessary for each treatment process stage. Several patients face difficulties in accessing medical facilities during severe vertigo episodes. Furthermore, clinical findings, such as nystagmus or other symptoms, may be absent when symptoms subside by the time of their appointment.
This study aimed to develop a smartphone app for capturing eye movements and head positions during vertigo attacks, enabling recordings anywhere, even at home or work.
We developed an app named "iCapNYS" that uses the iPhone's front camera and gyro sensor to record eye movements and head positions. The app incorporates features designed to encourage spontaneous eye movements, minimizing nystagmus suppression caused by fixation. Additionally, we designed lightweight, recyclable cardboard goggles to securely hold the smartphone and block visual stimuli from the surrounding environment, optimizing the recording conditions.
The "iCapNYS" system successfully captured subtle peripheral vestibular nystagmus in a patient with vertigo. The recorded nystagmus characteristics are comparable to those obtained using traditional infrared CCD (charge-coupled device) cameras.
This app is an effective tool for treating vertigo and is easy for older adults to use, as it can be recorded with only 3 taps. We expect that the introduction of this nystagmus-monitoring system will improve vertigo treatment quality, promote medical collaboration, and provide patients with peace of mind in their care.
智能手机和平板设备的广泛应用，以及数据通信技术的进步，导致了眩晕治疗模式的转变。近年来，诸如新冠疫情传播等外部因素加速了这一转变。我们一直在推行远程医疗和基于网络的医疗服务来治疗眩晕，并针对每个治疗过程阶段开发了不同的产品和服务。一些患者在严重眩晕发作期间难以前往医疗机构就诊。此外，当患者预约就诊时症状已经缓解，可能就不会出现眼球震颤或其他症状等临床体征。
本研究旨在开发一款智能手机应用程序，用于在眩晕发作期间捕捉眼球运动和头部位置，能够在任何地点进行记录，甚至在家中或工作场所。
我们开发了一款名为“iCapNYS”的应用程序，它利用iPhone的前置摄像头和陀螺仪传感器来记录眼球运动和头部位置。该应用程序具有一些功能，旨在鼓励自发眼球运动，将因注视导致的眼球震颤抑制降至最低。此外，我们设计了轻便、可回收的硬纸板护目镜，以牢固地固定智能手机并阻挡周围环境的视觉刺激，优化记录条件。
“iCapNYS”系统成功捕捉到了一名眩晕患者细微的外周前庭性眼球震颤。记录的眼球震颤特征与使用传统红外电荷耦合器件（CCD）相机获得的特征相当。
这款应用程序是治疗眩晕的有效工具，老年人也很容易使用，因为只需点击3次即可进行记录。我们预计，引入这种眼球震颤监测系统将提高眩晕治疗质量，促进医疗协作，并让患者在接受治疗时安心。
