The Mean Vertigo Score (MVS) Outcome Scale and Its Use in Clinical Research for Quantifying Vestibular Disorders

Area of Science:

• Vestibular Disorders
• Clinical Research
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Mean Vertigo Score (MVS) is a long-standing composite measure for vestibular disorder burden.
• Its discriminant validity and the structural relationships of its components require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the discriminant validity of the Mean Vertigo Score (MVS).
• To describe the structural relationships among the 12 individual criteria comprising the MVS.
• To validate the MVS as a reliable tool for assessing vertigo symptom severity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized raw data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing cinnarizine/dimenhydrinate combination, individual drugs, and placebo.
• Employed the Wei-Lachin procedure, a multivariate generalization of the Mann-Whitney test, to analyze correlations among the 12 MVS symptoms.
• Assessed discriminant validity and internal consistency of the MVS.

Main Results:

• All 12 individual symptoms demonstrated utility in discriminating between treatment groups (effect sizes 0.58-0.73).
• Positive correlations (0.07-0.71) among symptoms indicated MVS one-dimensionality and good internal consistency.
• Increasing MVS items to twelve significantly enhanced reliability (R12 = 0.923), improving test power and reducing required sample size.

Conclusions:

• The Wei-Lachin procedure validates the 12-item MVS based on its individual vertigo symptom efficacy.
• The MVS is a powerful, clinically meaningful tool for quantifying patient-reported vertigo complaints.
• The MVS offers a valid alternative to existing questionnaires in vestibular research.