Investigating health disparities in vestibular rehabilitation.

Background: Health disparities (HD) impact care delivery and health outcomes in individuals with vestibular disorders (IVD).

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify whether health disparities (HD) exist in Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) between individuals identifying as Caucasians or racial or ethnic minorities (REM).

Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of IVD who attended outpatient VR between 1/2014 and 9/2020.

Estimating the minimal clinically important difference for balance and gait outcome measures in individuals with vestibular disorders.

Background: Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapists (VRT) utilize outcome measures to quantify gait and balance abilities in individuals with vestibular disorders (IVD). The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in gait and balance outcome measures for IVD is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate the MCID of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and Gait Speed (GS) using distribution and anchor-based methods relative to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) in IVD.

Validation of the StepWatch activity monitor in individuals with vestibular disorders.

: The purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of the StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM in measuring step count for individuals with vestibular disorders.: Subjects were individuals with a vestibular disorder. The StepWatch Activity Monitor (SAM) was programed, placed on the patient's right ankle, and calibrated.

The impact of symptoms of anxiety and depression on subjective and objective outcome measures in individuals with vestibular disorders.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in individuals with vestibular disorders and anecdotally symptoms of these disorders have been associated with poorer scores on subjective outcome measures of dizziness and balance. It is unknown if symptoms of psychological distress impact individual outcomes with vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).

Objective: To compare subjective and objective outcome measures in subjects with vestibular disorders who have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression to those who do not exhibit those symptoms.