Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39804010›Full record

ArticlePhysical therapy2025

Musculoskeletal Pain as a Risk Factor for Poor Dizziness Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study Among Patients With Persistent Vestibular Dizziness.

Unni Moen, Roy Miodini Nilsen, Mari Kalland Knapstad, Kjersti Thulin Wilhelmsen, Stein Helge Glad Nordahl, Frederik Kragerud Goplen, Dara Meldrum, Liv Heide Magnussen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Physical therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Unni MoenDepartment of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway.ORCID 0009-0002-2221-9292
Roy Miodini NilsenDepartment of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway.
Mari Kalland KnapstadDepartment of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway.
Kjersti Thulin WilhelmsenDepartment of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway.
Stein Helge Glad NordahlNorwegian National Network for Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
Frederik Kragerud GoplenNorwegian National Network for Vestibular Disorders, Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
Dara MeldrumSchool of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, D02PN40 Dublin, Ireland.
Liv Heide MagnussenDepartment of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway.

Funding

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveMusculoskeletal pain and psychological distress are prevalent comorbidities in patients with persistent dizziness. Little is known about how comorbid pain influences the outcome of persistent dizziness. This study examined the impact of pain on dizziness outcomes and the potential modifying role of psychological distress.

methodsThis study was a longitudinal study of 150 patients with persistent dizziness. Vertigo Symptom Scale - short form (VSS-SF), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), number of pain sites, pain intensity, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Linear mixed effects model for longitudinal data was used to explore the association between musculoskeletal pain and dizziness. Interaction analysis was used to assess whether psychological distress had a modifying effect on the association between pain and dizziness.

resultsVSS-SF and DHI decreased during follow-up but not to a clinically relevant level for the patients. Patients reporting comorbid psychological distress reported higher scores on VSS-SF, DHI, more pain sites and higher pain intensity. A positive association was observed between the number of pain sites and VSS-SF and between pain intensity and VSS-SF, and these associations were stronger in patients reporting psychological distress. Similar associations were found for DHI. Patients reporting ≥4 pain sites or pain intensity of ≥4 out of 10 at baseline, still reported severe dizziness and moderate disability 12 months later.

conclusionMusculoskeletal pain is a risk factor for poor dizziness outcomes, especially when comorbid psychological distress is present. Clinicians should be attentive to musculoskeletal pain when the number of pain sites exceeds 4 or pain intensity exceeds 4 on a numeric rating scale. IMPACT: A new understanding of the impact of musculoskeletal pain on persistent dizziness could be the key to successful recovery and the prevention of prolonged issues.

Indexed as

DizzinessMusculoskeletal PainAdultAgedComorbidityFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementPsychological DistressRisk FactorsAdultBalanceChronic PainDizzinessMusculoskeletal PainPainVertigoVestibular DiseasesVestibular System

Identifiers

PMID39804010
PMCPMC11997662

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.