Affiliation:
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
2. Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
3. Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
Abstract
Persisting dizziness and balance problems after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (mmTBI) may result in considerable disability. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with dizziness-related disability one year post-injury. Data from 64 participants (mean age 39.4 [SD 13.0] years; 45 [70.3%] women) with mmTBI from a previous randomised controlled trial were analysed using simple and multiple regression analyses (Clinical Trials Registry #NCT01695577). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory one year (12.1, [SD1.6] months) post-injury was the dependent variable. Demographic and injury-related variables, clinical findings, and measures of post-injury symptoms and functioning (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, RPQ; Vertigo Symptom Scale-short form, VSS-SF; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Balance Error Scoring System; and High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool, HiMAT) at baseline (3.5 [SD 2.1] months post-injury) were the independent variables. Dizziness-related disability at one year was associated with pre-injury comorbidity, neck pain, higher RPQ, higher VSS-SF, and lower HiMAT scores (adjusted R2 = 0.370, F = 6.52 p < 0.001). In conclusion, the factors associated with dizziness-related disability one year post-injury, such as pre-injury comorbidity, neck pain, increased post-concussion symptom burden, increased dizziness symptom severity, and reduced balance and mobility, should be addressed early in the rehabilitation process to reduce patient burden.