AIM  To compare the changes of human vestibular function grading, motion sickness scores and cardiovascular functions in different three-dimensional roller test schemes, and to provide experimental basis for formulating pilot vestibular function evaluation scheme.

  METHODS  Twenty subjects were tested with electric swivel chair method and two different three-dimensional roller test schemes. The changes of vestibular function grading, Graybiel motion sickness score, blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability and pupillary light reflex during the test were recorded.

  RESULTS  The failure rates of vestibular function grading of the subjects tested by three-dimensional roller test scheme I, scheme II and electric swivel chair were 20%, 30% and 15% respectively. There was no significant difference in Graybiel motion sickness scores between the three methods . LFn and LF/HF were significantly lower and HFn was significantly higher than before (P<0.05) in two three-dimensional roller test schemes, while only LFn was significantly lower in electric swivel chair test than before (P<0.05). In three-dimensional roller test scheme I, scheme II and electric swivel chair, the LFn change rates were −28.06%, −41.75% and −9.52% (P<0.05), HFn change rates were 104.91%, 236.19% and 22.77% (P<0.05), and LF/HF change rates were −46.54%, −64.60% and −13.93% (P<0.05).

  CONCLUSION  The two three-dimensional roller test schemes designed in the study is able to evaluate the stability of vestibular function of flight personnel, and the autonomic nervous system changes of the three-dimensional roller test schemes are more significant than those of electric swivel chairs.