Vestibular Training Research Thesis


​Dr. Purcell has spent the last 10 years working on pure vestibular controlled aerospace platforms to better understand vestibular and somatosensory integration in the brain stem. He believes that understanding sensory integration in the brain stem is very important when recommending phyusical therpy and vestibular rehab for his "dizzy" patients. He has pushed aggressively in the physical therapy communtiy for the implementation of high end balance devices such as the zero gravity or alter-g treadmills. This allows the patient while on an unstable platform to perform passive VOR exercises. This has turned out to be similar groundbreaking stride in vestibular rehab to his recommendation for patients to use the Force Dynamics 301 device. He has used the Jetpack and Rocketbelt to record VOR responses in a pure yaw and pure translational environment. "This device takes away somatosensory input to the brain stem and forces limited visual integration while trying to move through a complex 3D space" says Purcell. He uses this to better understand Vestibular control in the patients with somatosensory deficits in spinal cord injuries. He has flown his Jetpack for several physicians at hospitals here in San Diego not to mention venues as well known as the Olympics. Dr. Purcell also utilizes Jetpacks and rocketbelts for community awareness worldwide for his balance patients. He is known as the "DizzyDoc", "DizzyDoctor", or "Doc Rocket" by his fellow physicians and patients. He has used the Jetpack to gain entry into several business meetings throughout China where he is promoting Vestibular clinics in over 500 hospitals. He plans to jump his Jetpack over the Great Wall of China in early 2017 to promote his unique vestibular protocols transitioning into China and subsequnetially worldwide.
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