title: The usefulness of the video head impulse test in children and adults post-concussion.
abstract: Dizziness after concussion have been reported in both youths and adults. It is not clear if the dizziness experienced post-concussion is from peripheral or central etiology. New technology has been developed to quickly and easily quantify the magnitude of peripheral vestibular disorders that is non-invasive and acceptable to youths and adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if youths and adults' post-concussion have evidence of decreased horizontal semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains as measured with the video head impulse test (vHIT), which would indicate a peripheral vestibular disorder. An additional purpose was to determine if VOR gain scores correlate with functional performance measures.
  
  
  
  Descriptive cross sectional.
  
  
  
  Large medical center out-patient concussion program.
  
  
  
  Fifty-six subjects with concussion.
  
  
  
  Subjects completed the vHIT testing, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Vestibular Activities and Participation (VAP) scale, the Pediatric Vestibular Symptom Questionnaire, gait speed assessment, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and a verbal analog scale of symptom provocation before and after the vHIT testing.
  
  
  
  There were no abnormal vHIT findings in any subject. Headaches, dizziness and nausea were significantly worse post vHIT testing (p < 0.05). Youths had better DGI and DHI scores than subjects older than 20 (p < 0.05).
  
  
  
  The vHIT did not detect horizontal semicircular canal weakness in any of the subjects tested. In addition, older adults reported more activity and participation limitations than the younger subjects with concussion.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA and Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alshehri
authors.affiliation: Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sparto
authors.affiliation: Departments of Otolaryngology, Neurology, and Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Furman
authors.affiliation: Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fedor
authors.affiliation: Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mucha
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Luke C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: Departments of Physical Therapy and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Whitney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D064087:Head Impulse Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D055815:Young Adult