Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular Visual Protocol

Astronaut Training is the name given to a treatment protocol for vestibular training. Designed by Mary J. Kawar MS, OTR, Sheila Frick OTR, L and Ron Frick. It s a child friendly approach to vestibular training, incorporating rotary movement with visual exercises done to an auditory sound track which gives the activities a timed beat. It comes from the concept that astronauts undergo extensive training to optimize vestibular function so they can withstand the demands of weightlessness, free falling, and the disorienting aspects of space travel. The vestibular system activates the core postural muscles that surround the central vertical axis of the body. A strong and stable core provides us with a solid base for using our eyes. The ability to keep our eyes steady on a target even when the head or body is in motion provides a stable visual image on the retina. When the vestibular system is not working properly to guide postural control, the eyes cannot participate efficiently in task such as copying