Subjective persistent dizziness handicap and psychological factors in vestibular schwannoma patients: a cross-sectional study

Persistent dizziness is a frequent and disabling symptom after retrosigmoid microsurgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS), negatively affecting quality of life. While vestibular outcomes are well studied, the contribution of psychological factors to persistent dizziness remains insufficiently understood. This cross-sectional study included 93 patients with VS, of whom 80.6% reported postoperative dizziness....

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Audiologists and vestibular clinicians should routinely screen for anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in post-surgical vestibular schwannoma patients, as these factors independently predict dizziness handicap beyond physical vestibular function.

Psychological burden is a measurable and potentially treatable driver of persistent dizziness handicap in vestibular schwannoma patients, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary post-operative care.

1. 01Cross-sectional study of vestibular schwannoma patients after retrosigmoid microsurgery.
2. 02Subjective dizziness handicap persisted post-operatively and was associated with psychological factors.
3. 03Anxiety and depression scores correlated with dizziness handicap severity.
4. 04Findings support integrating psychological screening into vestibular schwannoma follow-up.
5. 05Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.

PMID

42527434

DOI

10.1038/s41598-026-64384-0.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Vestibular schwannoma patients following retrosigmoid microsurgery

Intervention

Assessment of subjective dizziness handicap and psychological factors (observational)