Gait alteration during turning while walking in older adults with benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo

BACKGROUND: Older adults with Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV) may present with unsteadiness that affects gait patterns.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the spatiotemporal gait parameters and indicators of turning difficulty during the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in older adults with BPPV.

METHODS: This case-controlled study collected data from older adults aged 65 and above with BPPV, young adults with BPPV and older adults without BPPV. Postural stability and self-perception of stability were measured using the Functional Gait Analysis and the Malay version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, respectively. The spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded using a camera. The one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Older adults with BPPV presented with alteration in gait parameters (time and number of steps) compared to older adults without BPPV and adults with BPPV during the TUG test (p