title: Is perception of handicap related to functional performance in persons with vestibular dysfunction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine if scores between 0 and 30 (mild), 31 and 60 (moderate), and 61 and 100 (severe) on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) differentiated a person's functional abilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary balance outpatient center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 85; mean age, 61 years) with a variety of vestibular diagnoses participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients completed the DHI, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), the 5 times sit to stand test (FTSST), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, gait speed, and the Timed "Up & Go" (TUG) during the same session. Reported numbers of falls within the last 4 weeks were recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DGI, FTSST, ABC, gait speed, TUG, and gait speed were compared among DHI groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were identified using an analysis of variance between DHI groups on the DGI, the FTSST, ABC, and number of falls (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between DHI groups (mild vs. severe and moderate vs. severe) on the DGI (p < 0.05) with greater DHI scores exhibiting more impaired walking. The FTSST was different between DHI groups mild and severe and DHI groups moderate and severe (p < 0.05), with slower FTSST scores with higher DHI scores. Reported falls were higher among the severe DHI group and the other 2 DHI groups (p < 0.05). All 3 DHI groupings were different from each other on the ABC (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who perceive a greater handicap as a result of dizziness demonstrate greater functional impairment than patients who perceive less handicap from dizziness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Centers for Rehab Services, University Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA. whitney@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Whitney
authors.forename: Diane M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wrisley
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Furman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology