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Helpfulness of the Vibration Test Performed in Room Light on Clients With Inner Ear Problems

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test in Room Light.

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02626052
Enrollment
256
Registered
2015-12-10
Start date
2015-12-31
Completion date
2017-01-26
Last updated
2020-01-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Vestibular Disease

Keywords

Skull vibration induced nystagmus test, mastoid vibration test

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic values associated with both a positive and negative Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) performed in room light (with fixation). The hypotheses include: 1. A positive room light SVINT will be identified in individuals with moderate to severe vestibular asymmetries. 2. A positive room light SVINT will be present when 10 beats or more (counted over 10 seconds) of nystagmus are found with fixation blocked.

Detailed description

Dizziness and vertigo account for about four million visits to the Emergency Department per year and costs for management in the Emergency Department are estimated to be about four billion dollars per year. Vestibular problems are a major cause of dizziness. Simple to perform and inexpensive bedside vestibular tests are needed. The Skull Vibration-Induced Nystagmus Test (SVINT) with fixation blocked has been considered a vestibular gold standard test with strong psychometric values. No studies on the diagnostic accuracy of the SVINT in room light have been performed.

Interventions

A standardized questionnaire used to quantify symptoms of dizziness.

BEHAVIORALGlobal Rating of Change

A standardized questionnaire used to review the overall outcome of the participants condition with physical therapy.

BEHAVIORALPatient Acceptable Symptom State

A standardized questionnaire used to determine whether meaningful progress has been made

PROCEDURESpontaneous Nystagmus Test

An observational test procedure used to identify involuntary eye movements caused by inner ear and/or brain dysfunction. The test is performed both in room light and with fixation blocked with a Micromedical Technologies infrared lens.

PROCEDUREGazehold Nystagmus Test

An observational test procedure used to identify involuntary eye movements caused by inner ear and/or brain dysfunction. The test is performed both in room light and with fixation blocked with a Micromedical Technologies infrared lens.

PROCEDUREPrimary Vibration Test

A test used to identify asymmetry that may be present in the vestibular system through 60-100 MHz vibration applied to the mastoid bone. A WAHL massager is used to stimulate the inner ear by vibrating the mastoid bone. The test is performed both in room light and with fixation blocked with a Micromedical Technologies infrared lens.

Sponsors

Aultman Health Foundation
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Clients 18 years and older with complaint of dizziness, vertigo, and/or imbalance who are willing to proceed with procedures of study. * Inclusion for control group: no history of dizziness, vertigo, and/or imbalance.

Exclusion criteria

* Conditions that warrant immediate referral to the Emergency Department or Primary Care Physician (undiagnosed and unstable disorders relating to cardiac, neurologic, metabolic, etc, dysfunction); no history of dizziness, vertigo, and/or balance problems. * Clients with conditions that therapists believe may be aggravated by testing including, but not limited to: variants of head injuries, migraines, seizure disorders, panic/anxiety, claustrophobia, severe headache and/or nausea, and hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Primary Vibration TestBaselineUnder room light, the presence or absence of nystagmus is determined. If nystagmus is present, then the direction of nystagmus is determined. When fixation is blocked, the presence or absence of nystagmus is determined. If nystagmus is present, then the direction of nystagmus is determined. The number of beats per 10 sec is also determined.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Dizziness Handicap InventoryBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeksScore on DHI.
Global Rating of ChangeBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeksScore on Global Rating of Change
Patient Acceptable Symptom StateBaseline; last day of physical therapy, an average of 4 weeksYes or No response
Spontaneous Nystagmus TestBaselinePresence, intensity, and direction of nystagmus is determined
Gazehold Nystagmus TestBaselinePresence, intensity, and direction of nystagmus is determined

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026