BACKGROUND
Examination of eye movement both with fixation and without fixation is important in the management of patients with dizziness and imbalance. At present, a device that records eye movement without fixation usually utilizes Frenzel glasses with a desktop-based recording system. This system is inconvenient because Windows devices are large and require substantial power, and no Windows-based mobile phone exists. A mobile device application (app) could address those concerns.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and feasibility of mobile app-based Frenzel tests in dizziness clinics.
METHODS
We performed an investigator-initiated, blinded-outcome assessor, parallel, randomized controlled crossover trial at Chungnam National University Hospital between August 2019 and October 2019. Certified medical staff were randomly assigned to the intervention group (i.e., a mobile app-based Frenzel glass system, n=15) or the observation group (i.e., a conventional desktop-based Frenzel glass system, n=15); the groups applied the respective systems for the preparation of eye movement recording and switched systems. The primary outcome was the elapsed time in seconds it took the participants to prepare the system for eye recording simulation. The secondary outcomes were perceived stress and satisfaction scores after completion of the operation, as measured by a questionnaire using ten-point Likert scales.
RESULTS
The mean time of machine preparation for eye recording simulation was reduced by 50% in the mobile app group compared to the desktop group in both study periods (38.0±7.1 vs. 76.0±8.7). We detected no carryover effect. Participants also reported lower stress while using app than while using the desktop system (2.3±1.3 vs. 4.6±2.4; p<0.001). The app obtained a mean overall satisfaction score of 9.2 out of 10.
CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of an eye movement recording app in a dizziness examination was well adopted by users and decreased the time and stress related to machine operation.
CLINICALTRIAL
This trial is registered with cris.nih.go.kr under number KCT 0004403.