This is an observational longitudinal study to investigate if negative illness perceptions predict less improvement in dizziness handicap following vestibular rehabilitation. Consecutive patients (n=260) who enter the vestibular rehabilitation programme at Guy's Hospital, London will be included. Questionnaires will be conducted immediately before, and after their final treatment. The main outcome will be the Dizziness Handicap Inventory after rehabilitation.
The aim of this longitudinal study is to investigate whether illness perceptions predict dizziness handicap following a treatment as usual 8-week vestibular rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic vertigo and dizziness. Participants will be recruited consecutively from patients attending the dizziness and balance exercise programme at Guys \& St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Consenting patients will complete the following questionnaires before and after rehabilitation: 1. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) 2. The Illness Perceptions Questionnaire - Revised (IPQ-R) 3. The Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) at discharge will be the dependent variable. We will also demographic data including age, gender, and illness type.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Vestibular rehabilitation (treatment as usual).
Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)
DHI at discharge (controlling for baseline DHI in the final analysis). The DHI measures the perceived physically, functionally, and emotionally handicapping effects of dizziness although the total score will be used in this study. It consists of 25 questions, for example "Does walking down the aisle of a supermarket increase your problem?", and participants rate either 'Yes', 'No', or 'Sometimes'. The maximum score is 100 and higher scores represent higher levels of disability and activity restriction.
Time frame: At discharge (final session of physiotherapy), an average of 10 weeks
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