Psychological status of patients undergoing electronystagmography

Abstract

Dizzy patients undergoing electronystagmography (ENG) often express stressful life situations, anxiety, and other adverse psychological states. Many past studies have dealt with the interrelations among actual vertigo (or less specific dizziness) and various psychological factors. The present study compares results of a psychological screening questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Index, between vertiginous patients undergoing ENG, and nonvertiginous patients undergoing another diagnostic test, auditory brainstem response (ABR), for complaints other than dizziness. A second age-matched control group consisted of subjects without medical complaints. Results showed that the ENG group have a significantly greater degree and prevalence of adverse psychological state than either control group. These results, while not indicating whether vertigo is the cause or effect of such states, do indicate the high prevalence of psychological morbidity among the comparatively mildly dizzy patients typically encountered in ENG testing. Greater attention to the psychological aspects of the dizzy patient is indicated.