Computerized dynamic visual acuity test in the assessment of vestibular deficits.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to measure dynamic visual acuity (DVA) during head movement as an assessment of the functional impact of vestibular deficits.


METHODS
The study design was a prospective, clinical study.


METHODS
The study was performed in a tertiary, ambulatory referral center.


METHODS
Forty-two normal subjects, 29 patients with unilateral vestibular loss, and 26 patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction who were 19-87 years of age were examined.


METHODS
Diagnostic intervention was performed.


METHODS
Main outcome measures included the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of a computerized test that measures visual acuity during head movement in normal subjects and in patients with vestibular deficits.


RESULTS
The computerized DVA test was reliable in both normal subjects (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] r=0.87) and in patients with vestibular deficits (ICC r=0.83). The sensitivity of the DVA test was 94.5% and the specificity was 95.2%. The positive predictive value (individuals who test positive on the DVA test who will have a vestibular deficit) was 96.3%. The negative predictive value (individuals who test negative on the DVA test who will not have a vestibular deficit) was 93%.


CONCLUSIONS
The computerized DVA test is reliable and is able to distinguish among normal subjects and patients with vestibular deficits.
Herdman
S J
SJ
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, Florida 33146, USA.
Tusa
R J
RJ
Blatt
P
P
Suzuki
A
A
Venuto
P J
PJ
Roberts
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity