An evaluation of the test–retest reliability of the functional head impulse test in healthy young adults.

Aim: To determine the test and retest reliability of the functional head impulse test (fHIT) in healthy young adults. Materials and methods: Thirty-three healthy participants (17 women, 16 men) aged 18–30 years were included in the study. Each participant underwent the fHIT twice, 1 week apart, by the same experienced clinician. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to determine test–retest reliability. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the results of total percentage of correct answer (CA%) of the fHIT obtained in session 1 and session 2 measurements in the lateral, anterior, and posterior semicircular canals (SCCs) (p > 0.05). ICC values for test–retest reliability were found to range from 0.619 to 0.665 for the three semicircular canals (SCCs). Conclusion: The test–retest reliability of the fHIT device was moderate. Attention, cognition, and fatigue may be the factors reducing reliability. In the diagnosis, follow-up, and rehabilitation processes of vestibular diseases in clinics, changes in the fHIT CA% can be used to assess vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]