Psychological Factors Associated With Discrepancies Between Subjective Balance Confidence and Objective Performance of Patients With Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

Discrepancies between subjective balance confidence and objective performance may have clinical consequences in patients with vestibular hypofunction. Overestimation may increase fall risks, whereas underestimation may lead to unnecessary activity restriction. The contributing factors remain unclear.

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Audiologists and vestibular rehabilitation providers should consider screening for anxiety, fear of falling, or catastrophizing in patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction whose self-reported balance confidence does not match their objective test scores, as psychological factors may drive that discrepancy.

Understanding the psychological contributors to the confidence–performance gap in vestibular patients could improve holistic rehabilitation planning and outcomes measurement in audiology and balance clinics.

1. 01Study focuses on patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (one-sided inner-ear balance dysfunction).
2. 02A gap between subjective balance confidence and objective balance performance was the central variable of interest.
3. 03Psychological factors — likely including anxiety and fear of falling — were associated with discrepancies.
4. 04Published in Otology & Neurotology (PMID 42831392; DOI 10.1097/MAO.0000000000005091).
5. 05Findings have potential implications for vestibular rehabilitation protocols.

PMID

42831392

DOI

10.1097/MAO.0000000000005091.

Journal

Otology & Neurotology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (one-sided inner-ear balance system dysfunction)

Intervention

Assessment of psychological factors in relation to balance confidence–performance discrepancy