A Pilot Study to Assess Visual Vertigo in People with Persistent Postural–Perceptual Dizziness with a New Computer-Based Tool

Abstract

Visual vertigo (VV) is a common symptom in people with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). Few subjective scales are validated for assessing the intensity of VV, yet these scales are limited by recall bias, as they require individuals to rate their symptoms from memory. The computer-Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (c-VVAS) was developed by adapting five scenarios from the original paper-VVAS (p-VVAS) into 30 s video clips. The aim of this pilot study was to develop and test a computerized video-based tool for the assessment of visual vertigo in people with PPPD. PPPD participants (n = 8) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 8) completed the traditional p-VVAS and the c-VVAS. A questionnaire about their experiences using the c-VVAS was completed by all participants. There was a significant difference between the c-VVAS scores from the PPPD and the control group (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.05). The correlation between the total c-VVAS scores and the total c-VVAS scores was not significant (r = 0.668, p = 0.07). The study showed a high acceptance rate of the c-VVAS by participants (mean = 91.74%). This pilot study found that the c-VVAS can distinguish PPPD subjects from healthy controls and that it was well-received by all participants.