Does patient-perceived handicap correspond to the modified clinical test for the sensory interaction on balance?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether patient self-reported handicap correlates with scores obtained from the modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance as assessed by the Neurocom VSR Balance Master platform.


METHODS
Prospective observational.


METHODS
Balance clinic in tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Patients referred with dizziness or imbalance as their primary complaint.


METHODS
The modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance scores as assessed by the Neurocom VSR Balance Master platform, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and the Health Utilities Index Marks 2 and 3.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty-nine patients were entered into the study. The mean age of participants was 54.5 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 2.1:1. The scores for the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Health Utilities Index are similar between sexes, and although the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score did not correlate with age, Health Utilities Index 2 and 3 scores did show a negative correlation with increasing age. There are weak, positive correlations between the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and the firm surface conditions of the modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance but no useful correlation with the foam conditions. Similar weak negative correlations were found between the Health Utilities Index 2 and 3 and the modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-perceived handicap of imbalance appears to correlate poorly with assessment of postural stability using the modified Clinical Test for the Sensory Interaction on Balance.
Loughran
Sean
S
MRC Institute of Hearing Research, Scottish Section, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, UK. seanloughran@hotmail.com
Gatehouse
Stuart
S
Kishore
Ameet
A
Swan
Iain R C
IR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests