The reliability and response stability of dynamic testing of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in patients with vestibular disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mohammad, Maha T.^a | Whitney, Susan L.^{b; c; *} | Marchetti, Gregory F.^d | Sparto, Patrick J.^b | Ward, Bryan K.^e | Furman, Joseph M.^f

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [b] Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [c] Rehabilitation Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | [d] Department of Physical Therapy, Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [e] Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA | [f] Departments of Otolaryngology and Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Susan L. Whitney, PT, PhD, DPT, NCS, ATC, FAPTA, 6035 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Tel.: +1 412 383 6642; Fax: +1 412 647 1449; E-mail: whitney@pitt.edu

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the test-retest reliability and response stability of the Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) and Gaze Stabilization Test (GST) in patients with vestibular disorders. Twenty-nine patients with vestibular disease (16–78 years) participated. Subjects performed the GST and DVA in pitch and yaw planes, twice in one session and once after 7–10 days. The GST output is the maximum head velocity at which the patient was able to identify orientation of the letter E. The DVA output is the change in visual acuity when moving the head compared to static acuity. Subjects indicated their level of dizziness and visual blurring using a visual analog scale. Within- and between-sessions intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between 0–0.5 for the DVA and GST measures, with better correlations for within-session assessments. Response stability (standard error of measurement / mean) of the GST ranged between 21–32% and the DVA ranged between 25–69% with vertical DVA being most influenced by measurement error. Subjects' symptoms did not correlate with performance on either test. The current test protocol needs refinement to enhance reliability and stability in persons with vestibular disorders.

Keywords: Vestibulo-ocular reflex, gaze stabilization test, dynamic visual acuity

DOI: 10.3233/VES-2011-0430

Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 277-288, 2011