What is Astronaut Training in Therapy?

By Allieson Bruce-Woolcock, COTA

The importance of the vestibular system is often overlooked but it is believed to provide the foundation for all that we do as well as being of vital importance to our survival and our ability to function in daily life. The vestibular system helps us to know where we are in space.  In other words, it gives up information on which way is up or down and our sense of direction.  It also helps our balance, spatial orientation (being able to change location/move in relation to objects around us), and our ability to maintain focus on an object even when we are moving. 

Our vestibular system works in conjunction with our auditory and visual systems to help us understand 3-dimential space.  Through these three systems, our Vestibular-Auditory-Visual Triad, meaning is assigned to the sights and sounds of our world encouraging us to move, explore, and engage with the people, objects, and events around us.

It becomes difficult for our world to make sense when the information being received from our vestibular system along with the sights and sounds in our environment are disconnected. Since movement is a part of everything we do, it is not far-fetched to believe that the vestibular system supports all behavior, our ability to gain skills as well as provide balance/filter the constant flow of sensory information our systems receive.  Without the successful integration of the Vestibular-Auditory-Visual Triad all aspects of behavior (planning, directing, and controlling our actions) can be negatively impacted.

This is where the Astronaut Training Protocol comes in.  It provides a means to connect the Vestibular-Auditory-Visual Triad though rotary movements, audible cues and visual targets.  The rotary movements activate the vestibular systems and is paired with a set of eye movements, saccades and smooth pursuits, prompted by audible cues.  The Astronaut Training Protocol has been proven successful in diagnosis such as Sensory Processing Disorders, ADHD and with individuals having trouble with regulation and visual/ocular motor control.