FUNCTIONAL IMPACT OF PERSISTENT POSTURAL-PERCEPTUAL DIZZINESS: DEPRESSION, FALL AND DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES

Objective: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a frequent cause of long-lasting dizziness and may be accompanied by substantial functional limitations and psychosocial burden. The aim of this study was to investigate depressive symptoms, fall-related self-efficacy and the extent to which vestibular complaints interfere with daily life activities in PPPD patients.Methods: Eight patients (5 males, 3 females) who met the Barany Society diagnostic criteria for PPPD were included. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation.Results: The mean BDI score was 28.88 ± 15.24, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptomatology. The finding that the mean FES score was 25.88 ± 10.55 considered an indicator of reduced confidence related to falling. The mean total VADL score was 65.13 ± 19.35, reflecting notable restrictions in daily functioning. Based on the VADL results, the instrumental subscale showed relatively lower mean scores (14.88 ± 5.79), whereas higher mean values were obtained in the functional (25.75 ± 10.62) and ambulation (24.50 ± 7.31) subscales.Conclusion: PPPD appears to be associated with considerable limitations in everyday functioning, along with reduced fall-related self-efficacy and depressive symptoms. These findings underline the importance of incorporating functional assessment and multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies together with psychosocial evaluation in the management of PPPD. Further research with larger samples is needed to validate these results.