Symptom Profiles and Health Related Behaviours in People with Meniere’s Disease: A Cross Sectional Study

Dakota Mutch, Katrina L Williams, Ann Rahmann, Sjaan Gomersall
Purpose:

This study had two aims 1). To explore symptom profiles and behaviours of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in people with Ménière’s Disease. 

2). To explore correlations between these symptoms and behaviours.

Methods:

Thirty-two adults with Ménière’s Disease completed a digital survey capturing dizziness, hearing, balance confidence, fatigue, sleep, Physical Activity  and Sedentary Behaviour.  Descriptive statistics were used to analyse participant characteristics, symptoms, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour.  Correlations were used to examine associations between these variables. 

 


Results:

Participants reported moderate level of dizziness handicap (52 ± 24.1), fatigue (43 ± 23.7), hearing dysfunction (52 ± 19.1) and participation restrictions due to hearing loss (51 ± 26.8, 55 ± 25.8). Hearing Handicap was severe (61 ± 26.1) and balance confidence low (67%) indicating risk of falls. Physical Activity was lower than normative values (399.6, 116 - 932) and lower Physical Activity levels was significantly correlated in persons with  more dizziness (r=-.52), fatigue (r=-.51) and reduced balance confidence (r=.38). Finally, Sedentary Behaviour was higher than normative values (11.74 ± 3.6) and significantly correlated with worse hearing handicap (r=-.39) only.

Conclusion(s):

People with Ménière’s Disease reported moderate levels of symptoms, did not meet Physical Activity guidelines and had higher Sedentary Behaviour levels. Those with higher levels of Physical Activity reported less dizziness, less fatigue and better balance, while those with higher Sedentary behaviors had higher levels of hearing loss impact. 

Implications:

Physical Activity may play a positive role in reducing the symptom burden experienced by people with Ménière’s Disease and reduced symptom burden may have positive economic and social effects. Further research is needed to explore causality and possible optimal intervention choices or education strategies, that may improve Physical Activity, to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life in people with Ménière’s Disease.  

Funding acknowledgements:
Nil
Keywords:
Ménière’s Disease
Physical Activity
Symptom burden
Primary topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Second topic:
Disability and rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
The University of Queensland
Provide the ethics approval number:
2023/HE001160
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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