Effect of testing position on dynamic visual acuity.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of altering testing position on dynamic visual acuity (DVA) in vestibulopathic adults.


METHODS
Quasiexperimental research.


METHODS
Outpatient vestibular program.


METHODS
Twelve vestibulopathic adults with impaired DVA in the sitting position.


METHODS
DVA scores were collected during (1) sitting, (2) standing comfortably, and (3) semitandem standing as subjects viewed a vision (E) chart 3.48 m in front of them. DVA was obtained as the head was passively moved by the evaluator at a frequency of 1.5 Hz in both horizontal and vertical directions. A further subgroup of subjects (n=5) was retested after performing the "viewing x1" gaze stability home exercise four times daily (1 minute duration in the horizontal direction while sitting) for 2 months.


METHODS
Noncomputerized DVA score.


RESULTS
The DVA score remained constant independent of testing position as the Friedman test did not reveal any significant differences in the DVA scores in the horizontal or vertical direction. Subjects who improved after performing the viewing x1 exercise in the horizontal direction in the sitting position tended to have the same improvement in DVA in all three positions.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that DVA score is independent of testing position. This is clinically important since it shows that the results of DVA testing in one position are valid for other positions and that subjects can be trained to improve their DVA in a sitting posture while having carry-over effects to other, more challenging postures.
Danenbaum
Elizabeth
E
Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital Research Site of the Montreal Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation, Laval, Quebec.
Chilingaryan
Gevorg
G
Fung
Joyce
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014792:Visual Acuity