Original Research

The translation of the Vertigo Symptom Scale into Afrikaans: A pilot study

Christine Rogers, Jacques de Wet, Ayanda Gina, Ladine Louw, Musa Makhoba, Lee Tacon
South African Journal of Communication Disorders | Vol 58, No 1 | a36 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v58i1.36 | © 2011 Christine Rogers, Jacques de Wet, Ayanda Gina, Ladine Louw, Musa Makhoba, Lee Tacon | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 February 2011 | Published: 07 November 2011

About the author(s)

Christine Rogers, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Jacques de Wet, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Ayanda Gina, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Ladine Louw, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Musa Makhoba, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Lee Tacon, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Vertigo is a common clinical problem that is challenging to diagnose and treat. While it has a broad range of aetiologies, the association between vestibular disturbance and anxiety is well established. The Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS) is a questionnaire that assesses both dizziness and dizziness-related anxiety. The aim of this study was twofold. First, a translation of the VSS into Afrikaans was evaluated using the Delphi technique. Consensus was achieved within the Delphi rounds and a final tool was agreed upon. Second, the Afrikaans Vertigo Symptom Scales (AVSS) was piloted on a sample of vertiginous and control participants. The results of the pilot study yielded significant statistical differences between the groups on both subscales of the tool (vertigo symptom scale and anxiety and autonomic symptom scale). Results suggest that the AVSS is able to identify patients with vertiginous disturbance and anxiety. The AVSS presents with good sensitivity and specificity as measured by the ROC curve. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

Afrikaans, anxiety, Delphi, dizziness, vertigo, Vertigo Symptom Scale, vestibular disorders

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Crossref Citations

1. Practices and views of audiologists regarding aural rehabilitation services for adults with acquired hearing loss
Musa Makhoba, Neethie Joseph
South African Journal of Communication Disorders  vol: 63  issue: 1  year: 2016  
doi: 10.4102/sajcd.v63i1.155