Sex-related differences in the physical, functional, physiological, and emotional profile of adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction: a cross-sectional EXERVEST study
Abstract
Background Chronic vestibular hypofunction (CVH), often resulting from illness or injury, is linked to sedentary behaviour, poor sleep, and comorbidities. This cross-sectional descriptive study characterized the physical, functional, physiological, and emotional profiles of adults with CVH and explored sex-related differences within this population. Methods Participants (N = 67, 58 yrs, 43 women) with CVH were assessed on their body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), balance and fall risk (posturography and Modified Dynamic Gait Index, MDGI), health-related quality of life (Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI), emotional profile (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI-II] and Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]), level of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour, and sleep quality (accelerometry). Results As a group, participants showed a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.8 (0.7–0.9), mean MDGI score of 61.0 points, standard somatosensory and visual data from posturography, a median values of DHI, BDI-II, and BAI of 26.0 (16.0–34.0), 11.0 (4.0–17.5), and 12 (7.8–20.3), respectively; sleep efficiency >85%, greater sedentary behaviour (∼54%) relative to PA levels, reduced total sleep time (TST) and a higher frequency of nocturnal awakenings than recommended (35.7 ± 14.7 min). Sex-related differences were observed (P < 0.05): women were older, showed higher fat mass (+18%), better sleep efficiency (+2.4%), more bedtime (+5.7%), and TST (+8.0%), but lower fat-free mass (−9.7%), visual dependence (−18%), and CRF (−20.7%) compared to men. No sex differences were observed in dizziness handicap, anxiety, depression, or PA levels. Conclusions Adults with CVH exhibited a multidimensional clinical profile with sex-related differences in several physical, functional, and physiological outcomes. These findings support comprehensive clinical assessment and warrant longitudinal studies to determine the clinical relevance of these differences for personalized programs.