Protocol - Vertigo

Dizziness Handicap Inventory

Instructions: The purpose of this scale is to identify difficulties that you may be experiencing because of dizziness or unsteadiness. Please answer "yes," "no," or "sometimes" to each question. Answer each question as it applies to your dizziness or unsteadiness only.

1. Does looking up increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

2. Because of your problem, do you feel frustrated?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

3. Because of your problem, do you restrict your travel for business or recreation?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

4. Does walking down the aisle of a supermarket increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

5. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty getting into or out of bed?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

6. Does your problem significantly restrict your participation in social activities such as going out to dinner, the movies, dancing, or to parties?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

7. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty reading?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

8. Does performing more ambitious activities such as sports or dancing or household chores such as sweeping or putting dishes away increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

9. Because of your problem, are you afraid to leave your home without having someone accompany you?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

10. Because of your problem, are you embarrassed in front of others?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

11. Do quick movements of your head increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

12. Because of your problem, do you avoid heights?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

13. Does turning over in bed increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

14. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to do strenuous housework or yard work?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

15. Because of your problem, are you afraid people may think you are intoxicated?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

16. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to walk by yourself?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

17. Does walking down a sidewalk increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

18. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to concentrate?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

19. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to walk around the house in the dark?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

20. Because of your problem, are you afraid to stay at home alone?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

21. Because of your problem, do you feel handicapped?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

22. Has your problem placed stress on your relationship with members of your family or friends?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

23. Because of your problem, are you depressed?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

24. Does your problem interfere with your job or household responsibilities?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

25. Does bending over increase your problem?

4[ ]Yes

0[ ]No

2[ ]Sometimes

Scoring

Physical Subscale: questions 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 17, 25
Emotional Subscale: questions 2, 9, 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23
Functional Subscale: questions 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 16, 19, 24

A "Yes" response receives 4 points. A "Sometimes" response receives 2 points. A "No" response receives 0 points. The points can be combined to assign a total score, or they can be combined by subscale. The higher the points a patient scores, either total or for a particular subscale, the greater their perceived disability due to dizziness.

Total Score

100–70 = severe perception of having a handicap
69–40 = moderate perception of handicap
39–0 = low perception of handicap