Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with balance and vestibular disorders would demonstrate clinically meaningful improvement in the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST) score as a result of vestibular rehabilitation. Design: Retrospective chart review of 351 people who underwent individualized outpatient vestibular rehabilitation programs. Setting: Outpatient tertiary balance and vestibular clinic. Subjects: One hundred and seventeen patients, mean age 62.7 years, with peripheral, central or mixed vestibular dysfunction. Main Outcome Measures: FTSST, gait speed, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). Results: The mean change in FTSST scores was 2.7 seconds. The paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test results for the FTSST, gait speed, ABC, DHI, DGI and TUG were all significant at p<0.01 pre versus post rehabilitation. The responsiveness-treatment coefficient (RT) was calculated to be 0.58 for the FTSST indicating moderate responsiveness. The linear regression demonstrated that the change in FTSST score after rehabilitation was independent of age, gender, diagnosis, and number of physical therapy visits. The univariate linear regression model for baseline FTSST predicting FTSST change was significant and predicted 49% of the change variance. Conclusion: The FTSST was moderately responsive to change over time and was independent of age, gender, diagnosis, and number of physical therapy visits.
