As with other disorders of the locomotor system, one must look at the entire system, for the underlying cause of the clinical syndrome. As with other locomotor system syndromes, reliable and valid outcome measures are an essential aspect of the appropriate management of the patient with dizziness. Demonstrating disability and treatment effectiveness is perhaps more important with this group of disorders than with many others because of the subjective nature of the clinical symptoms. This is a brief instrument that allows the treating doctor to demonstrate the degree to which the patient is disabled by their dizziness, and the impact the treatment and rehabilitation is having on this disability. The various symptoms that fall under the category of dizziness can affect people in a variety of ways, from being a mild nuisance to being severely disabling.
Appropriate intervention can often be tantamount to life saving to the patient.
References Lewit K. Manipulative Therapy in the Rehabilitation of the Motor System. Hulse M. Disequilibrium, caused by a functional disturbance of the upper cervical spine. Clinical aspects and differential diagnosis. Ataxia and nystagmus induced by injection of local anesthetics in the neck. Fitz-Ritson D. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the upper cervical spine.