Balance and Vestibular system assessment in post COVID-19 patients.

Elsaid, Mohamed Elsaid; Galal, Eman Mohamed; El-Deep, Mohammed; Nassar, Adel Abdel-Maksoud

doi:10.21608/arcmed.2025.360257.1095

Balance and Vestibular system assessment in post COVID-19 patients.

Document Type : Observational Studies

Authors

¹ Audio vestibular medicine Department, armed forces college of medicine, cairo, Egypt

² Audio Vestibular medicine Department, armed forces college of medicine, Cairo, Egypt

³ Head of Audiovestibular Medicine Dept., AFCM

10.21608/arcmed.2025.360257.1095

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has been associated with various neurological symptoms, including dizziness and balance disorders, suggesting potential involvement of the vestibular system. Recent evidence indicates that the virus may directly affect inner ear tissues, leading to auditory and vestibular dysfunction. However, the mechanisms behind these symptoms remain unclear.
Aim: This study aims to assess balance function in post-COVID-19 patients by identifying abnormalities in sensory organization tests (SOT) and vestibular system evaluations.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Audio-vestibular Medicine Department, Kobry El-Koba Military Complex, Egypt, from November 2022 to April 2023. Forty-two patients, previously diagnosed with COVID-19, were recruited via convenience sampling. Participants completed a history questionnaire and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI, Arabic version). Sensory organization testing was performed using computerized dynamic postography (CDP).
Results: Significant correlations were found between COVID-19 severity and dizziness-related disability (DHI total: p = 0.01), with functional (p = 0.03) and emotional (p = 0.05) domains affected. SOT results revealed preserved balance overall (89.26 ± 5.2), but lower vestibular-reliant scores (C5: 86.55 ± 9.06, C6: 87.52 ± 6.28). Vestibular function was mildly impaired (0.95 ± 0.13). Significant associations were observed with head shake (p = 0.004), Dix-Hallpike (p = 0.02), and Fukuda stepping tests (p = 0.02), indicating greater vestibular dysfunction in severe cases.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant vestibular impairments in post-COVID-19 patients, particularly those with severe illness. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind these impairments and their potential for recovery.

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