DISCOMFORT WITH SPACE AND MOTION - A POSSIBLE MARKER OF VESTIBULAR DYSFUNCTION ASSESSED BY THE SITUATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS QUESTIONNAIRE

Space and motion discomfort (SMD) refers to the situational specificit y of symptoms occurring in some patients with vestibular dysfunction, such as those with balance disorders and some with panic disorder. SMD occurs in situations characterized by inadequate visual or kinestheti c information for normal spatial orientation. We report the results of two studies of the construct validity of the Situational Characterist ics Questionnaire (SitQ), which has two subscales, both of which measu re SMD: the SMD-I and SMD-II. In Study 1, the SitQ was administered to members of a self-help group for balance disorders, a psychiatric sam ple consisting of patients with panic disorder, nonpanic anxiety disor ders, depression, and a sample of normals. SMD levels were the highest in the self-help balance group, next to the highest in the panic grou ps, and lowest in the remaining groups. In Study 2, the SitQ was admin istered to otolaryngological patients with vestibular dysfunction and to patients with hearing loss. SMD levels were higher in the vestibula r patients. Data on internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity are presented. The SitQ, particu larly the SMD-II, is recommended for quantifying space and motion disc omfort in patients with anxiety and/or balance disorders.