Vestibular function in adults with intellectual disabilities: feasibility and outcome of a vestibular screening protocol in Special Olympics athletes

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a well-adapted vestibular screening battery to objectively examine the (peripheral) vestibular function, and to explore the characteristics of potential vestibular deficits in the adult ID population.

Design

Cross-sectional study design.

Study sample

Compared to an age- and gender-weighted control group, a heterogeneous group of forty-five adults with ID participated in the vestibular screening at the National Games of Special Olympics Belgium (2019), which consisted of a bone conduction cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) measurement and video Head Impulse Test (vHIT).

Results

The screening battery appeared to be feasible in the majority of the participants (cVEMP: 92%; vHIT: 72%). Overall, the occurrence of abnormal cVEMP and vHIT responses was significantly higher in the ID group, with significantly lower corrected peak-to-peak cVEMP amplitudes (p < 0.001), lower vHIT gains (p < 0.001), and higher cVEMP and vHIT asymmetry ratios in the ID group (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001 resp.).

Conclusions

Vestibular assessment using the cVEMP and vHIT technique shows a promising feasibility in adults with ID. In addition, this study suggests that people with ID exhibit an increased prevalence of (peripheral) vestibular deficits relative to the general population.

Keywords:

• Intellectual disability
• vestibular
• Special Olympics
• adults

Acknowledgments

All authors substantially contributed to the article. Under the supervision and with support of Leen Maes, Laura Leyssens and Ruth Van Hecke contributed to the development of the study design, performed the vestibular screening during Special Olympics Belgium (SOB) 2019, executed the analyses and interpretation of the data, drafted the initial manuscript, and improved revised versions. Karlien Moons and Sofie Luypaert assisted in the data collection during SOB 2019, performed the data input and assisted during statistical analyses. In addition, Maya Danneels, Cleo Dhondt, Sarie Martens, and Melina Willems assisted during the development of the study design and interpretation of the results. All authors critically reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted and are accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors have conflicts of interest or financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) as part of a project grant [‘FWO OPR 2018 006901’].