Cross-cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Turkish version of the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale

BackgroundVisual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS) is valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire to assess visual vertigo. Although VVAS has been culturally adapted and validated in several cultures, it has not been adapted in Turkish.ObjectivesThe aim of this research is to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VVAS into Turkish (VVAS-Tr) and evaluate its psychometric properties.MethodsFollowing established cross-cultural adaptation guidelines, the VVAS was translated into Turkish and completed by 113 patients with vestibulopathy. Validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, correlations with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Bland-Altman plots, and regression analyses. Reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha.ResultsThe VVAS-Tr demonstrated a unidimensional structure with strong factor loadings (0.743-0.928) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.954). Moderate correlations with DHI scores (rho = 0.553-0.595) supported criterion-related validity. Agreement with DHI was confirmed through Bland-Altman analysis, and predictive validity was explained by DHI physical and emotional subscales (R² = 0.41).ConclusionThe VVAS-Tr is the first Turkish tool specifically designed to measure visual vertigo and the first adaptation of the VVAS to undergo both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. It demonstrates strong validity and reliability and is suitable for clinical use in Turkish-speaking patients with vestibular disorders.