The reliability of the Dutch version of the vestibular activities avoidance instrument in persons with and without dizziness.

Abstract

Avoidance of activities that trigger dizziness in persons with vestibular disorders may inhibit dynamic vestibular compensation mechanisms. To determine the reliability of the Vestibular Activities Avoidance Instrument (VAAI) 81 and 9 item tool and to compare the VAAI scores in Dutch-speaking healthy adults and in patients with vestibular disorders. A prospective cohort study was conducted including 151 healthy participants and 106 participants with dizziness. All participants completed the 81-item VAAI. Within 7 days, the VAAI was completed a second time by 102 healthy adults and 43 persons with dizziness. The average 81-item VAAI scores [54.8(47.1) vs. 228.1(78.3)] and 9-item VAAI scores [2.4(5.9) vs. 28.1(12)] were significantly different between healthy adults and participants with dizziness (p < 0.001). In participants with dizziness the ICC for the 81-item VAAI was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.97) and for the 9-item VAAI was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.95). Cronbach's alpha for the 81-item VAAI was 0.97 and 0.85 for the 9-item VAAI. The minimal detectable change was 47.8 for the 81-item VAAI and 8.9 for the 9-item VAAI. Persons with dizziness have a greater tendency to avoid movements. Both test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Dutch version of the VAAI were excellent.