NCT03403400

Brief Summary

Dizziness is a common complaint reported by 30% of people above 65 years of age and by more than 50% of those 90 years of age and older.(1) Age-related decline in vestibular, musculoskeletal, and neurologic performances compounded by a vestibular pathology can result to debilitating physical and psychological consequences. Dizziness is associated with falls,(2) disability (3) and physical inactivity.(4) Walking for endurance is cited as one of the components of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) in the "Clinical Practice Guideline for Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction".(5) Although walking can offset the avoidance of physical activity from symptom provocation, no direct evidence has been found to support the effect of walking on postural and dynamic stability, function, and participation in people with dizziness. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of walking as an exercise component of VR on both primary and secondary vestibular-specific outcome measures. The primary outcomes are mCTSIB, TUG test, DGI, and DHI, while the secondary outcomes are the total number of visits and length of interventions (in weeks). The second purpose is to evaluate whether pedometers increase the adherence of older adults with vestibular issues to a walking program. This will be measured by change in physical activity, as represented by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Walking Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes/week and IPAQ Total Physical Activity MET-minutes/week scores from the IPAQ short form during the episode of care (admission and discharge) and on four-weeks follow-up compared to those patients who only received instructions to walk without a pedometer. The third purpose of this study is to establish test-retest reliability of the TUG test on older adults with dizziness. Lastly, the fourth purpose of this study to investigate if the TUG, DGI, and mCTSIB are significant and strong predictors of the DHI in older adults with dizziness. Protocol #1365169 "Predictors of Disability in the Older Adults" is being performed to supplement the number of subjects for the fourth objective of this study.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
17

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2018

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 29, 2017

Completed
20 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 18, 2018

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 18, 2018

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 5, 2019

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 5, 2019

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

July 2, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

July 2, 2020

Status Verified

June 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

1.1 years

First QC Date

December 29, 2017

Results QC Date

December 5, 2019

Last Update Submit

June 18, 2020

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration for Balance (mCTSIB)

    The mCTSIB quantifies the ability of the patient to use information from somatosensory, visual and vestibular system effectively for postural stability. This test eliminated conditions 3 and 6 of the original CTSIB, which use an altered visual input (visual conflict dome). It is performed with the feet together, a modification from the original test, which is with feet apart.(7) The four conditions of mCTSIB are standing on firm surface eyes open, standing on firm surface eyes closed, standing on compliant surface eyes open, and standing on compliant surface eyes closed. The patient is timed for 30 seconds and the average score of three trials is obtained. It only requires a timer and balance foam to administer the test.

    Change from up to week 9 of treatment to up to 16 weeks of treatment

  • Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

    The TUG is a test of balance and risk for falls.(8) This test measures the time it takes to walk 3 meters starting from a sitting position and it ends when the patient is seated again. Among the population studied for the TUG are the frail elderly and vestibular disorders.(9) The cut-off scores that indicate risk for falls are greater than 13.5 seconds for community dwelling older adults (8) and greater than 11.1 seconds for vestibular disorders.(10)

    Change from up to week 9 of treatment to up to 16 weeks of treatment

  • Dynamic Gait Index

    The DGI assesses the ability to maintain balance while walking in the presence of external demands. It is scored based on a 4-point ordinal scale (3=no gait dysfunction, 2=minimal impairment, 1=moderate impairment and 0=severe impairment) with the highest possible score of 24.(11) A cut-off score of less than 19 is indicative of increased fall risks in community-dwelling elderlies.(12)

    Change from up to week 9 of treatment to up to 16 weeks of treatment

  • Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)

    The DHI is a 25-item self-report questionnaire that quantifies the functional, emotional and physical impact of dizziness. Answers are graded 0 for no, 2 for sometimes and 4 for yes, with a maximum total score of 100. Interpretations are mild dizziness for scores between 0-30, moderate for 31-60 and severe for 61-100.(13)

    Change from up to week 9 of treatment to up to 16 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Total Number of Visits

    From initial evaluation (day 1 of treatment) to up to 16 weeks of treatment

  • Length of Interventions in Weeks

    From initial evaluation (day 1 of treatment) to up to 16 weeks of treatment

Other Outcomes (1)

  • International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)- Walk

    Change from up to week 9 of treatment to up to 4 weeks post treatment

Study Arms (3)

VRWP Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Vestibular Rehabilitation plus Walking with Pedometer Groupd

Behavioral: VRWP Group

VRW Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Vestibular Rehabilitation plus Walking without Pedometer Group

Behavioral: VRW Group

VR Group

NO INTERVENTION

Vestibular Rehabilitation Only Group. The VR (control) group will follow the conventional VR physical therapy without the encouragement of walking and without specification of walking in the home exercise program.

Interventions

VRWP GroupBEHAVIORAL

The VRWP group will have VR with an instruction to increase their number of steps daily to at least 3,000 steps using the pedometer (VR plus walking plus pedometer group). They will receive pedometers (Fitbit Zip), instructions on how to use the pedometer, step log forms, with home instruction handout to walk more at least more than ten minutes at a time. The participants will record on their activity log the number of steps shown on the step display at the end of the day. The daily step log form will be given to the research staff every visit for recording. The research staff will encourage their participants to increase their daily steps at least 10% until they achieve at least 3,000 steps daily.

VRWP Group
VRW GroupBEHAVIORAL

The VR (control) group will follow the conventional VR physical therapy without the encouragement of walking and without specification of walking in the home exercise program.

VRW Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age65 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Age 65 years or older referred for physical therapy evaluation for symptoms of dizziness, postural instability, or both
  • Able to walk without the physical help of another person, with or with no assistive device
  • Able to follow commands and execute the examination and intervention instructions in the English language
  • Willing to participate in a phone interview four weeks after discharge
  • Able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • Unstable medical issues, such as unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions, elevated blood pressure (Systolic greater than or equal to 140mmHg and diastolic greater than or equal to 90mmHg), orthostatic hypotension (a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10mmHg when a person stands from a sitting or lying down position), uncontrolled metabolic disease, as determined by the evaluating physical therapist, documented in the Functional Comorbidity Index, vital signs and assessment portion of the initial evaluation.
  • History of falls from syncopal origin
  • Dizziness of central origin, such as stroke, head injuries, MS or PD;
  • Active BPPV (patients with positive dix hallpike and/or roll test)
  • Inability to walk without physical assistance.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Florida Hospital East Orlando

Orlando, Florida, 32822, United States

Location

Florida Hospital Winter Park

Winter Park, Florida, 32792, United States

Location

Related Publications (14)

  • Maarsingh OR, Stam H, van de Ven PM, van Schoor NM, Ridd MJ, van der Wouden JC. Predictors of dizziness in older persons: a 10-year prospective cohort study in the community. BMC Geriatr. 2014 Dec 15;14:133. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-133.

    PMID: 25510936BACKGROUND
  • Liston MB, Bamiou DE, Martin F, Hopper A, Koohi N, Luxon L, Pavlou M. Peripheral vestibular dysfunction is prevalent in older adults experiencing multiple non-syncopal falls versus age-matched non-fallers: a pilot study. Age Ageing. 2014 Jan;43(1):38-43. doi: 10.1093/ageing/aft129. Epub 2013 Sep 15.

    PMID: 24042003BACKGROUND
  • Mueller M, Strobl R, Jahn K, Linkohr B, Ladwig KH, Mielck A, Grill E. Impact of vertigo and dizziness on self-perceived participation and autonomy in older adults: results from the KORA-Age study. Qual Life Res. 2014 Oct;23(8):2301-8. doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0684-x. Epub 2014 Apr 10.

    PMID: 24719016BACKGROUND
  • Mueller M, Strobl R, Jahn K, Linkohr B, Peters A, Grill E. Burden of disability attributable to vertigo and dizziness in the aged: results from the KORA-Age study. Eur J Public Health. 2014 Oct;24(5):802-7. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckt171. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

    PMID: 24213583BACKGROUND
  • Hall CD, Herdman SJ, Whitney SL, Cass SP, Clendaniel RA, Fife TD, Furman JM, Getchius TS, Goebel JA, Shepard NT, Woodhouse SN. Vestibular Rehabilitation for Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: FROM THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION NEUROLOGY SECTION. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2016 Apr;40(2):124-55. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000120.

    PMID: 26913496BACKGROUND
  • Hall CD, Heusel-Gillig L, Tusa RJ, Herdman SJ. Efficacy of gaze stability exercises in older adults with dizziness. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2010 Jun;34(2):64-9. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0b013e3181dde6d8.

    PMID: 20588090BACKGROUND
  • Horn LB, Rice T, Stoskus JL, Lambert KH, Dannenbaum E, Scherer MR. Measurement Characteristics and Clinical Utility of the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB) and Modified CTSIB in Individuals With Vestibular Dysfunction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Sep;96(9):1747-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.04.003. No abstract available.

    PMID: 26550644BACKGROUND
  • Shumway-Cook A, Brauer S, Woollacott M. Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults using the Timed Up & Go Test. Phys Ther. 2000 Sep;80(9):896-903.

    PMID: 10960937BACKGROUND
  • Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed "Up & Go": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991 Feb;39(2):142-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1991.tb01616.x.

    PMID: 1991946BACKGROUND
  • Whitney SL, Marchetti GF, Schade A, Wrisley DM. The sensitivity and specificity of the Timed "Up & Go" and the Dynamic Gait Index for self-reported falls in persons with vestibular disorders. J Vestib Res. 2004;14(5):397-409.

    PMID: 15598995BACKGROUND
  • Wrisley DM, Walker ML, Echternach JL, Strasnick B. Reliability of the dynamic gait index in people with vestibular disorders. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003 Oct;84(10):1528-33. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00274-0.

    PMID: 14586922BACKGROUND
  • Shumway-Cook A, Baldwin M, Polissar NL, Gruber W. Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults. Phys Ther. 1997 Aug;77(8):812-9. doi: 10.1093/ptj/77.8.812.

    PMID: 9256869BACKGROUND
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW. The development of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 Apr;116(4):424-7. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1990.01870040046011.

    PMID: 2317323BACKGROUND
  • Shook RP, Gribben NC, Hand GA, Paluch AE, Welk GJ, Jakicic JM, Hutto B, Burgess S, Blair SN. Subjective Estimation of Physical Activity Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Varies by Fitness Level. J Phys Act Health. 2016 Jan;13(1):79-86. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2014-0543. Epub 2015 Apr 21.

    PMID: 25898394BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dizziness

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensation DisordersNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Limitations and Caveats

Small sample size, lack of blinding, lack of intention-to-treat, lack of objective measures for physical activity, unequal distribution of subjects based on DHI severity score, retrospective data collection for predictors of DHI

Results Point of Contact

Title
Amie Jasper
Organization
Advent Health

Study Officials

  • Mary Blackinton, EED

    Nova Southeastern University

    STUDY DIRECTOR
  • Joann Gallichio, DSC

    Nova Southeastern University

    STUDY DIRECTOR
  • Ann Galgon, PhD

    University of the Sciences

    STUDY DIRECTOR
  • Leana Araujo, PhD

    Adventist University

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Experimental Design. To answer the study objective, a pragmatic, randomized, prospective, clinical study on 54 older adults with dizziness will be utilized. This will be conducted at Florida Hospital Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation locations that offer vestibular therapy. These are in East Orlando and Winter Park.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 29, 2017

First Posted

January 18, 2018

Study Start

July 18, 2018

Primary Completion

September 5, 2019

Study Completion

September 5, 2019

Last Updated

July 2, 2020

Results First Posted

July 2, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-06

Locations