Gait alteration during turning while walking in older adults with benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo

Background: Older adults with Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV) may present with unsteadiness that affects gait patterns. Objective: This study investigated the spatiotemporal gait parameters and indicators of turning difficulty during the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in older adults with BPPV. Methods: This case-controlled study collected data from older adults aged 65 and above with BPPV, young adults with BPPV and older adults without BPPV. Postural stability and self-perception of stability were measured using the Functional Gait Analysis and the Malay version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, respectively. The spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded using a camera. The one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Older adults with BPPV presented with alteration in gait parameters (time and number of steps) compared to older adults without BPPV and adults with BPPV during the TUG test (p < 0.05). During the straight walking tasks of the TUG test, there were significant differences in stride length and velocity between the three groups (p < 0.05). Older adults with BPPV presented with less pivoting and took longer time and more steps to complete the turning phase of the TUG. Conclusions: The findings suggest that gait performance was compromised in older adults with BPPV.