The relationship between the activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Dynamic Gait Index in peripheral vestibular dysfunction

Background and Purpose. People with vestibular dysfunction experience dizziness, vertigo and postural instability. The persistence of these symptoms may result in decreased balance confidence. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between decreased balance confidence and gait dysfunction in patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Method. A retrospective review of 137 charts with the Activities‐specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) scores was completed. Spearman rank–order correlation analysis was performed of the total sample, by age group and by degree of vestibular weakness. Results. A moderate correlation of r = 0.58 (p