Reliability of clinical balance tests and subjective ratings in dizziness and disequilibrium

Abstract

The aim was to assess (i) the test–retest and inter-rater reliability of, and (ii) the relationships between, commonly used clinical balance tests and subjective ratings in subjects with dizziness and disequilibrium. Fifty subjects (26 men and 24 women, mean age 63 years) with dizziness and disequilibrium following acute unilateral vestibular loss or central neurological dysfunction were tested with static and dynamic clinical balance tests, visual analogue scales (VAS), University of California Los Angeles Dizziness Questionnaire (UCLA-DQ), Dizziness Beliefs Scale (DBS), European Quality of Life questionnaire (EQ-5D), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Most tests showed good test–retest and inter-rater reliability. Few correlations were seen between objective and subjective tests, but several correlations were found between the different subjective instruments. Sharpened Romberg's test eyes closed, standing on foam eyes closed, standing on one leg eyes open and walking in a figure-of-eight are recommended as reliable and appropriate clinical balance tests in subjects with dizziness and disequilibrium. Subjects with central lesions may have difficulties when rating their symptoms on VAS. Total scores rather than scores for separate items are recommended for UCLA-DQ and DHI.