title: The Pediatric Vestibular Symptom Questionnaire: A Validation Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and validate the Pediatric Vestibular Symptom Questionnaire (PVSQ) and quantify subjective vestibular symptom (ie, dizziness, unsteadiness) severity in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixty-eight healthy children (female, n = 91) and 56 children with postconcussion dizziness or a vestibular disorder (female, n = 32), between ages 6 and 17 years, were included. The PVSQ contains questions regarding vestibular symptom frequency during the previous month. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a brief behavioral screening instrument, was also completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PVSQ showed high internal consistency (10 items; Cronbach α = 0.88). A significant between-group difference was noted with higher (ie, worse) PVSQ scores for children with vestibular symptoms (P < .001); no significant differences were noted between patient groups. The optimal cut-off score for discriminating between individuals with and without abnormal levels of vestibular symptoms was 0.68 out of 3 (sensitivity 95%, specificity 85%). Emotional and hyperactivity SDQ subscale scores were significantly worse for patients compared with healthy participants (P ≤ .01). A significant relationship was noted between mean PVSQ and SDQ (parent-rated version) hyperactivity and total scores for patients (P ≤ .01) and the SDQ (self-rated) emotional, hyperactivity, and total score (P ≤ .01) in healthy controls. However, mean SDQ subscale and total scores were within normal ranges for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported vestibular symptoms, measured by the PVSQ, discriminated between children presenting with vestibular symptoms and healthy controls and should be used to identify and quantify vestibular symptoms that require additional assessment and management.
authors.affiliation: Center of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: marousa.pavlou@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Marousa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavlou
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whitney
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulaziz A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alkathiry
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huett
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-Otology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Luxon
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiological Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raglan
authors.affiliation: Division of Health and Social Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Godfrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-Otology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom; Department of Audiological Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom; University College London Ear Institute, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eva-Bamiou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*