Categorizing individuals based on the severity of Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale symptoms

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Frank, Amanda J.^{a; e; *} | Hoppes, Carrie W.^b | Dunlap, Pamela M.^c | Costa, Cláudia M.^d | Whitney, Susan L.^c

Affiliations: [a] Hearing Center of Excellence, San Antonio, TX, USA | [b] Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [d] Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal | [e] zCore Business Solutions, Inc., Round Rock, TX, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Amanda J. Frank, PT, ATC, Hearing Center of Excellence; ATTN: Amanda J. Frank; 59MDW/SG02O 2200 Bergquist Drive, Suite 1, Lackland AFB, Texas 78236, USA. Tel.: +1 253 722 4065; Fax: N/A; E-mail: Amanda.j.frank3.ctr@mail.mil.

Note: [] The views expressed and information presented are those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, or U.S. Government.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS) assesses visual vertigo. Instead of the original scoring methods (positive VVAS > 1), we propose categorizing patients as having No (0), Mild (0.1–40), Moderate (40.01–70), or Severe (70.01–100) symptoms. OBJECTIVE:Our primary aim was to validate an alternative interpretation of the VVAS by exploring the relationship between categories of visual vertigo symptoms and measures of activity and participation, dizziness handicap, anxiety, and depression. We aimed to describe the severity of visual vertigo reported by patients in different vestibular diagnostic categories. METHODS:Participants with vestibular disorders (n = 250) completed the VVAS, Vestibular Activities and Participation (VAP) Measure, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS:Patients with central disorders were more symptomatic than those with peripheral vestibular disorders. As evaluated by one-way ANOVA, the scores on the VAP, HADS, and DHI significantly differed among mild, moderate, severe, and no visual vertigo categories (p < 0.001). As VVAS severity increased, activity and participation decreased (r = 0.582, p < 0.001); dizziness handicap increased (r = 0.597, p < 0.001, n = 199); anxiety increased (r = 0.405, p < 0.001); and depression increased (r = 0.521, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:The findings of this study support the use of an alternative VVAS interpretation method of categorizing symptoms as none, mild, moderate, and severe visual vertigo.

Keywords: Vestibular, visual vertigo, assessment, classification, dizziness, vertigo, rehabilitation, physical therapy

DOI: 10.3233/VES-210131

Journal: Journal of Vestibular Research, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 433-441, 2022