Quantitative measurement of vertigo frequency: preliminary results

Persons who experience vertigo often describe their symptoms as a sensation of oscillations. Based on such a description, a pilot study was performed to determine if the frequency of the vertigo sensation could be quantified in a manner analogous to tone matching in tinnitus treatment. Fifteen subjects were tested using a virtual image system that consisted of a head mounted display showing a scene that oscillated horizontally or vertically at an adjustable frequency. Subjects were asked to adjust the direction and frequency to match their typical vertigo sensation. Results show that most persons with chronic vertigo had symptoms that could be realistically simulated by vection induced by the oscillating scene and that matched to a consistent specific frequency. They reported an average frequency of 1.09 Hz (range 0.27 to 3.3 Hz, SD 0.25). The large majority (13 out of 15) matched to a horizontal stimulus. Subjects that gave particularly high subjective ratings of the similarity of the motion sensation (7-8 out of 10) from the vection to their vertigo had lower frequency matches (average 0.61 +/- 0.25). Repeated measurements in 4 subjects 8 to 27 days later showed consistent results. This vertigo measurement technique may be used in the future to assess the ability of vestibular rehabilitation to reduce chronic vertigo. Identification of a specific frequency of chronic vertigo may be important in the specification of rehabilitation exercises.