The Portuguese version of the visual vertigo analog scale

Abstract Objectives: Visual vertigo occurs after a vestibular disorder compromising daily living. It can be assessed by “the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale” (VVAS), a self-administered questionnaire without Portuguese version. To perform the translation, cross cultural adaptation, and validation of VVAS from English to Portuguese. Methods: Prospective study involving the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the VVAS into the Portuguese language, according to recognized guidelines. It was completed by 63 healthy controls and 198 participants with vestibulopathy who also completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) to further explore the link between DHI and VVAS. Groups were compared for severity of visual vertigo and VVAS reliability and internal consistency were tested. Results: The VVAS score was significantly higher in vestibular group (p < 0.001). A Cronbach’s α of 0.9 confirmed the valid internally consistent of the applied version. The severity score of VVAS showed a positive strong correlation with DHI (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The present Portuguese translation of the scale showed satisfactory properties for the assessment of self-perceived and severity of visual vertigo in a significant group of vestibular Portuguese patients. Level of evidence: 2.

摘要：
研究目的：视觉性眩晕（visual vertigo）常继发于影响日常生活的前庭功能障碍，可通过视觉性眩晕模拟量表（Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale，VVAS）进行评估，该量表为自评问卷，目前尚无葡萄牙语版本。本研究旨在完成该量表从英语到葡萄牙语的翻译、跨文化调适与效度验证。
研究方法：本研究为前瞻性研究，依据公认的研究指南完成VVAS的葡萄牙语翻译与跨文化调适。共纳入63名健康对照者与198名前庭病变患者，所有受试者同时完成眩晕残障量表（Dizziness Handicap Inventory，DHI），以进一步探究DHI与VVAS的相关性。对两组受试者的视觉性眩晕严重程度进行比较，并检验VVAS的信度与内部一致性。
研究结果：前庭病变组的VVAS评分显著高于对照组（p < 0.001）。克朗巴赫α系数（Cronbach’s α）为0.9，证实本次翻译版本具有良好的内部一致性。VVAS严重程度评分与DHI评分呈显著强正相关（p < 0.0001）。
研究结论：本研究完成的葡萄牙语版VVAS量表，在大量葡萄牙语前庭疾病患者群体中，可有效评估自我感知的视觉性眩晕及其严重程度，各项心理测量学指标均表现良好。
证据等级：2级。