Protocol for assessing functional impairments in patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathy : a novel approach to evaluate the impact of vestibular loss in daily life setting

Article Article scientifique Article Protocol for assessing functional impairments in patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathy : a novel approach to evaluate the impact of vestibular loss in daily life setting eng 2025-12-01 2025 author Corre Julie 826291 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) author Grouvel Gautier 0000-0002-2797-7677 959152 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) author Yadnik Sai Abhijit 958042 author Cugnot Jean-François author Ghavami Sinan author Boutabla Anissa 872142 author Cavuscens Samuel 763177 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) author Ranieri Maurizio 749748 author van de Berg Raymond author Armand Stéphane 0000-0001-9144-4982 636265 Département de chirurgie (CHIRU) author Guinand Nils 0000-0001-6004-8768 688139 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) author Perez Fornos Angelica 0000-0003-3911-8826 534827 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) 1704687 10.3389/fneur.2025.1704687 41404460 1664-2295 PMC12703974 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1704687/full Background : Current vestibular assessments typically focus on isolated reflex pathways, failing to reflect the integrative nature of balance control. Consequently, clinical results often do not align with patient-reported symptoms or functional limitations in daily life. Objective : To develop and present a comprehensive multimodal protocol for assessing functional impairments in patients with unilateral vestibulopathy (UV) and bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) using wearable sensors and ecologically valid daily-life tasks. Methods : We designed a protocol combining nine inertial measurement units (IMUs), eye-tracking glasses, and plantar pressure insoles to assess participants during 15 standardized tasks reflecting daily activities. Tasks were selected through literature review, validated questionnaires (DHI, VADL), and patient interviews. The protocol is conducted in a semi-naturalistic rehabilitation facility environment to maximize ecological validity while maintaining standardization. We tested feasibility with 60 participants (20 UV, 20 BV, 20 healthy controls). Protocol outcomes : The protocol successfully demonstrates feasibility across all sensor modalities and task categories. In this paper we describe the methodology used for task selection, the results of task performance in people with unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathy and healthy controls, and the sensor methodology (inertial measurement units, eye-tracking glasses, plantar pressure insoles). Analysis of sensor data will be presented in future papers. Conclusion : This protocol provides a patient-centered, ecologically valid framework for quantifying vestibular-related functional impairments beyond traditional laboratory settings. The methodology bridges the gap between clinical vestibular testing and lived patient experiences, enabling objective assessment of real-world mobility challenges for personalized rehabilitation and treatment monitoring. Daily living tasks Ecological assessment Eye tracking device Functional assessment Inertial measurement unit (IMU) Plantar pressure insole Vestibulopathies Wearable sensors Dewey 616.8 Dewey 617 Swiss National Science Foundation EVI - Efficacy of the Vestibular Implant for the rehabilitation of patients with severe bilateral vestibulopathy 203564 CH 61 Département des neurosciences cliniques 226 57 Département de chirurgie 222 false 210 Neuroprothèses sensorielles pour la restitution de l'audition et l'équilibre 268 900 Laboratoire de cinésiologie 943 Frontiers in neurology 16 b864783c-e90a-4c62-b5da-a4f78a660c07 Article (Published version) Public fneur-16-1704687.pdf 1783548 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 abecaa0b9e4b0e4f49adedd10c9b4b4814c2b89f8f4324226a6ae52066c9add2 dc19ada0-52a5-44c7-a901-95084dc61695 Supplemental data Public Data_Sheet_1.docx 22402 application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document 933a8e0a9a3e6839105f75a2bc9b4ac1154e39e790ec72f47ebda6b7b6a1d052 openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département des neurosciences cliniques Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de chirurgie

Title	Published in	Year	Views	Downloads

Protocol for assessing functional impairments in patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathy : a novel approach to evaluate the impact of vestibular loss in daily life setting	Frontiers in neurology	2025	16	219
Assessing the functional impact of unilateral and bilateral vestibulopathy using eye movements		2025	42	0

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Yadnik, Sai Abhijit

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