Normative Scores for the NIH Toolbox Dynamic Visual Acuity Test from 3 to 85 Years

Carol Li, Jennifer L Beaumont, Rose Marie Rine, Jerry Slotkin, Michael C Schubert, Carol Li, Jennifer L Beaumont, Rose Marie Rine, Jerry Slotkin, Michael C Schubert

Abstract

As part of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox initiative, a computerized test of dynamic visual acuity (cDVA) was developed and validated as an easy-to-administer, cost- and time-efficient test of vestibular and visual function. To establish normative reference values, 3,992 individuals, aged 3-85 years, without vestibular pathology underwent cDVA testing at multiple clinical research testing facilities across the United States. Test scores were stratified by sociodemographic characteristics. cDVA was worse in males (p < 0.001) and those subjects 50 years or older, while there was no difference in dynamic visual acuity across age groups binned from 3 to 49 years. Furthermore, we used these normative cDVA data as a criterion reference to compare both the long (validated) and short versions of the test. Both versions can distinguish between those with and without vestibular pathology (p = 0.0002 long; p = 0.0025 short). The intraclass correlation coefficient between long- and short-cDVA tests was 0.86.

Keywords: NIH Toolbox; dynamic visual acuity; gaze stability; vestibular hypofunction; vestibular test.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of age on mean DVA scores (mean + SD) in the normative population.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of mean and standard error cDVA scores between those with and without vestibular hypofunction (VH) in the short (2 optotypes) and long (5 optotypes) version of the test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of mean and standard error DVA scores based on test order.

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