Evaluation of Gait and Balance Parameters in Patients With Chronic Vestibulopathy

This observational, cross-sectional, comparative study aims to evaluate gait and balance parameters in adults with chronic vestibulopathy and to compare the findings with healthy individuals. Participants will include adults aged 18 to 65 years with chronic vestibular dysfunction and age- and sex-matched healthy controls without vestibular symptoms. Balance confidence, fear of falling, vestibular function, postural control, center of pressure measurements, and gait parameters will be assessed using clinical scales, videonystagmography, the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, and the Euleria Lab system. The study is expected to provide information about the functional effects of chronic vestibulopathy on gait and balance.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Vestibular Dysfunction

Detailed Description

Chronic vestibulopathy may affect postural control, gait performance, balance confidence, and daily functioning. Although balance problems are commonly reported in individuals with vestibular dysfunction, the combined evaluation of objective gait and balance parameters together with subjective balance-related outcomes may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the functional consequences of chronic vestibular impairment.

This study is designed as an observational, analytical, cross-sectional, comparative study. The study population will consist of two groups: individuals with chronic vestibulopathy and healthy control participants. The patient group will include adults aged 18 to 65 years who have had dizziness and/or imbalance complaints for at least one year and who have been diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral chronic vestibular dysfunction based on clinical evaluation. The healthy control group will include age- and sex-matched adults without a history of vestibular disease, dizziness, or imbalance.

All participants will undergo face-to-face assessment at Istanbul Aydın University Medicalpark Florya Hospital. Demographic and clinical data including age, sex, height, body weight, body mass index, symptom duration, main complaint, vestibular dysfunction type, comorbidities, and fall history will be recorded. Subjective outcomes will include the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale to assess fear of falling and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale to assess balance confidence during daily activities.

Vestibular and balance assessments will include the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance and videonystagmography-based oculomotor evaluation. Postural control will be assessed using center of pressure measurements during static standing conditions with eyes open and eyes closed. Gait analysis will be performed using the Euleria Lab system during self-selected walking. Spatial and kinematic gait parameters, including step length, step width, and lower extremity internal and external rotation angles, will be recorded.

The primary purpose of the study is to compare gait and balance parameters between individuals with chronic vestibulopathy and healthy controls. Secondary aims include examining subjective balance confidence, fear of falling, vestibular findings, and postural control measures in relation to gait and balance performance.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 58

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Küçükçekmece
    • Istanbul, Küçükçekmece, Turkey (Türkiye), 34295
      • İstanbul Aydın University Medicalpark Florya Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of adults aged 18 to 65 years, including individuals with chronic vestibulopathy who apply to Istanbul Aydın University Medicalpark Florya Hospital and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without vestibular symptoms. Participants will be enrolled by convenience sampling.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

For the chronic vestibulopathy group:

• Aged 18 to 65 years
• Having dizziness and/or imbalance complaints for at least 1 year
• Having a clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral chronic vestibular dysfunction
• Volunteering to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form
• Having sufficient cognitive and physical ability to understand and perform the assessment tests

For the healthy control group:

• Aged 18 to 65 years
• Having similar age and sex characteristics to the patient group
• No history of vestibular disease, dizziness, or imbalance
• No known neurological, orthopedic, or serious systemic disease that may affect gait or balance
• Volunteering to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form
• Having sufficient cognitive and physical ability to understand and perform the assessment tests

Exclusion Criteria:

For both groups:

• Uncorrected visual impairment at a level that may affect assessment results
• Presence of neurological, orthopedic, or rheumatologic disease that may affect gait and balance performance
• History of surgery or serious trauma affecting the lower extremity within the last 6 months
• Cognitive, communication-related, or physical impairment that may prevent compliance with assessment tests
• Inability to stand or walk independently without an assistive device

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Chronic Vestibulopathy Group; Adults aged 18 to 65 years with dizziness and/or imbalance complaints for at least one year and a clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral chronic vestibular dysfunction.
Healthy Control Group; Age- and sex-matched healthy adults without a history of vestibular disease, dizziness, or imbalance, and without known neurological, orthopedic, or serious systemic disease that may affect gait or balance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Step Length	Step length will be assessed during free walking using the Euleria Lab system. The mean step length will be recorded for each participant and reported in centimeters.	Baseline
Step Width	Step width will be assessed during free walking using the Euleria Lab system. The mean step width will be recorded for each participant and reported in centimeters.	Baseline
Lower Extremity Internal Rotation Angle During Walking	Lower extremity internal rotation angle will be assessed during free walking using the Euleria Lab system. The mean internal rotation angle will be recorded for each participant and reported in degrees.	Baseline
Lower Extremity External Rotation Angle During Walking	Lower extremity external rotation angle will be assessed during free walking using the Euleria Lab system. The mean external rotation angle will be recorded for each participant and reported in degrees.	Baseline
Center of Pressure Amplitude With Eyes Open	Center of pressure amplitude will be measured during quiet standing with eyes open for 30 seconds using the Euleria Lab system. The value will be recorded for each participant and reported in millimeters.	Baseline
Center of Pressure Amplitude With Eyes Closed	Center of pressure amplitude will be measured during quiet standing with eyes closed for 30 seconds using the Euleria Lab system. The value will be recorded for each participant and reported in millimeters.	Baseline
Fear of Falling Score	Fear of falling will be assessed using the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale. The scale includes 10 items scored as 0 or 1. The total score ranges from 0 to 10 points, with higher scores indicating greater fear of falling.	Baseline
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Score	Balance confidence will be assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. The scale includes 16 items scored from 0% to 100%. The total score will be calculated as the mean of the item scores and reported as a percentage, with higher scores indicating greater balance confidence.	Baseline
Time Maintaining Balance During Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance	Postural stability will be assessed using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance. The time the participant maintains balance under the test condition will be recorded and reported in seconds.	Baseline
Number of Participants With Abnormal Oculomotor Findings by Videonystagmography	Oculomotor function will be assessed using videonystagmography, including saccades, smooth pursuit, and gaze stability. The number of participants with abnormal oculomotor findings will be recorded and reported as participants.	Baseline
Center of Pressure Amplitude During Counting While Walking	Center of pressure amplitude will be measured during counting while walking using the Euleria Lab system. The mean center of pressure amplitude will be recorded for each participant and reported in millimeters.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fenerbahce University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sümeyye Akçay, Asst. Prof., Fenerbahçe University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 20, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 30, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Gait analysis; Vestibular dysfunction; Balance assessment; Chronic vestibulopathy
• Other Study ID Numbers: IstanbulAydinUni

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because the dataset will contain clinical and functional assessment data collected from a limited sample at a single center, and data sharing was not included in the informed consent process. Aggregated study results may be shared through scientific publications or presentations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No