Objective and subjective investigation of the cervical component in patients with peripheral vestibulopathy

BackgroundDespite the role attributed to cervical proprioception in balance control, the impact of cervical dysfunction on patients with dizziness remains largely elusive.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of cervical abnormalities on the quality of life and balance control of patients with unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy.MethodsThis was an observational cross-sectional study. Sixty-one patients with dizziness of peripheral origin were enrolled. They filled out clinical questionnaires, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Twenty-four individuals without vestibular or neck complaints were used as controls. The participants underwent the Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPT) and a static posturography.ResultsPatients with dizziness showed worse CJPT results (p = 0.0003). During conditions 1 and 3 of posturography, patients with cervical symptoms performed particularly worse compared to those without them. Also, their mean DHI was higher (p = 0.014). DHI and the CJPT results correlated in the case group (r = 0.32; p = 0.012). In the subgroup with cervical complaints, the NDI and DHI scores showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.540; p = 0.0001).ConclusionCervical proprioception correlated with the DHI scores in patients with dizziness. Patients with vestibular disorders with cervical complaints showed poorer results in balance control. Among them, the scores of self-perceived handicap of cervical complaints and dizziness correlated.