The Japanese version of the visual vertigo analogue scale: Reliability and validity

BackgroundVisual vertigo (VV) refers to dizziness or discomfort provoked by dynamic visual environments and is common after vestibular disorders. The Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS) is a nine-item questionnaire developed to assess VV. However, no validated Japanese version has been available. This study aimed to translate the VVAS into Japanese (VVAS-J) and evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsThe VVAS-J was translated and cross-culturally adapted according to standardized guidelines. The study included 168 patients with vestibular disorders and 73 healthy controls. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability using Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(3,1)], and Cohen's κ. Validity was examined in terms of content, criterion-related, and construct validity. For criterion-related validity, VV Severity and VVAS Positive were calculated and analyzed in relation to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and stabilometry. For construct validity, VV Severity and VVAS Positive were compared between patients and controls and across diagnostic subgroups.ResultsThe VVAS-J showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.911) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87). VV Severity correlated strongly with the DHI (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) but weakly with the HADS and stabilometry. VV Severity and all items were significantly higher in patients with vestibular disorders than in controls, and highest in PPPD among diagnostic subgroups (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe VVAS-J demonstrated good reliability and validity, providing a simple, standardized tool to quantify VV in Japanese patients.