Persons wit vestibular dysfunction experience dizziness, vertigo, and postural instability. The persistence of these symptoms may result in decreased balance confidence. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between decreased balance confidence and gait dysfunction in patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. A retrospective review of 137 charts with Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale ad Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) scores was completed. Speannan rank order correlation analysis was performed of the total sample, by age group and by degree of vestibular weakness. A moderate correlation of r = .58 (p < 0.001) was found between the ABC Score and DGI in the total sample. Those with mild/moderate vestibular weakness had a correlation of .72 (p < 0.001), compared to a correlation of .48 in those with severe/total vestibular weakness. Decreased balance confidence and increased fall risk are crucial issues for persons with vestibular dysfunction. The effects of aging did not have a significant impact on the relationship, however, those with mild/moderate vestibular weakness were more disabled by their vestibular symptoms than those with severe/total vestibular weakness.
