[Subjective visual vertical evaluation in normal Brazilian subjects]. / Avaliação da vertical visual subjetiva em indivíduos brasileiros normais.

Otolith function can be evaluated by subjective visual vertical (SVV) that determine the capacity of a subject to judge if the objects are on vertical position with absence of any visual reference. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SVV in a sample of normal Brazilian subjects using a portable device. Measurements of SVV were performed in 160 normal subjects (aged from 16 to 85). SVV mean value was obtained after ten adjustments. SVV mean values ranged from -2.0 degrees to +2.4 degrees (mean=0.18 degrees, and SD=0.77). Considering all age groups, there was no difference of SVV mean values (Kruskal-Wallis test; p=0.40), but older groups had a greater variance (Levene test; p=0.016). SVV values observed in this study are comparable to those described in previous studies. Although there was no difference in mean SVV-inclination according to age, there was a greater variance in older subjects.

Avaliação da vertical visual subjetiva em indivíduos brasileiros normais / Subjective visual vertical evaluation in normal Brazilian subjects

A função otolítica pode ser avaliada pela Vertical Visual Subjetiva (VVS) que determina a capacidade de um indivíduo julgar se objetos estão na posição vertical na ausência de outras referências visuais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a VVS em indivíduos brasileiros normais usando um aparelho portátil. As medidas da VVS foram realizadas em 160 indivíduos (16 a 85 anos). O valor médio da VVS foi obtido após dez ajustes. A VVS teve valores médios entre -2,0° e +2,4° (média=0,18°, e DP=0,77°). Não houve diferença entre as médias da VVS em relação à idade (teste de Kruskal-Wallis; p=0,40), mas as faixas etárias maiores tiveram variância maior (teste de Levene; p=0,016). Os valores da VVS encontrados neste estudo foram semelhantes aos registrados na literatura. Não houve diferença nas médias das inclinações da VVS de acordo com a idade, mas foi encontrada maior variância entre indivíduos mais idosos.

Otolith function can be evaluated by subjective visual vertical (SVV) that determine the capacity of a subject to judge if the objects are on vertical position with absence of any visual reference. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SVV in a sample of normal Brazilian subjects using a portable device. Measurements of SVV were performed in 160 normal subjects (aged from 16 to 85). SVV mean value was obtained after ten adjustments. SVV mean values ranged from -2.0° to +2.4° (mean=0.18°, and SD=0.77). Considering all age groups, there was no difference of SVV mean values (Kruskal-Wallis test; p=0.40), but older groups had a greater variance (Levene test; p=0.016). SVV values observed in this study are comparable to those described in previous studies. Although there was no difference in mean SVV-inclination according to age, there was a greater variance in older subjects.