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Helpfulness of the Vibration Test Performed in Room Light on Clients With Inner Ear Problems

Completed
Conditions
Vestibular Disease
Registration Number
NCT02626052
Lead Sponsor
Aultman Health Foundation
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic values associated with both a positive and negative Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) performed in room light (with fixation). The hypotheses include: 1. A positive room light SVINT will be identified in individuals with moderate to severe vestibular asymmetries. 2. A positive room light SVINT will be present when 10 beats or more (counted over 10 seconds) of nystagmus are found with fixation blocked.

Detailed Description

Dizziness and vertigo account for about four million visits to the Emergency Department per year and costs for management in the Emergency Department are estimated to be about four billion dollars per year. Vestibular problems are a major cause of dizziness. Simple to perform and inexpensive bedside vestibular tests are needed. The Skull Vibration-Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) with fixation blocked has been considered a vestibular gold standard test with strong psychometric values. No studies on the diagnostic accuracy of the SVINT in room light have been performed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
256
Inclusion Criteria
  • Clients 18 years and older with complaint of dizziness, vertigo, and/or imbalance who are willing to proceed with procedures of study.
  • Inclusion for control group: no history of dizziness, vertigo, and/or imbalance.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Conditions that warrant immediate referral to the Emergency Department or Primary Care Physician (undiagnosed and unstable disorders relating to cardiac, neurologic, metabolic, etc, dysfunction); no history of dizziness, vertigo, and/or balance problems.
  • Clients with conditions that therapists believe may be aggravated by testing including, but not limited to: variants of head injuries, migraines, seizure disorders, panic/anxiety, claustrophobia, severe headache and/or nausea, and hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Primary Vibration TestBaseline

Under room light, the presence or absence of nystagmus is determined. If nystagmus is present, then the direction of nystagmus is determined. When fixation is blocked, the presence or absence of nystagmus is determined. If nystagmus is present, then the direction of nystagmus is determined. The number of beats per 10 sec is also determined.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Dizziness Handicap InventoryBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeks

Score on DHI.

Gazehold Nystagmus TestBaseline

Presence, intensity, and direction of nystagmus is determined

Spontaneous Nystagmus TestBaseline

Presence, intensity, and direction of nystagmus is determined

Global Rating of ChangeBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeks

Score on Global Rating of Change

Patient Acceptable Symptom StateBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeks

Yes or No response

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