Overview
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.
Description
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:
- The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)
- The Illness Perceptions Questionnaire - Revised (IPQ-R)
- 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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- are aged above 18 years old and are enrolled onto the vestibular rehabilitation programme due to chronic dizziness
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients will be excluded if they have evidence of central nervous system disorders or cannot speak English.