Effects of the Kahramanmaras, Turkey 2023 earthquakes on balance perception, dizziness and post-traumatic stress: A relational screening model between subjective balance problems and post-traumatic stress


CENGİZ D. U., İnceoğlu F., KARABABA E., Polat A. P., YILMAZ T., KUNTMAN B. D., ...Daha Fazla

Auris Nasus Larynx, cilt.51, sa.3, ss.531-536, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 51 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.anl.2024.02.004
  • Dergi Adı: Auris Nasus Larynx
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.531-536
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Earthquake, Vertigo, Dizziness, Balance, Post-traumatic stress
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey and recurrent aftershocks on balance and post-traumatic stress in surviving victims. Methods: Our study included 1004 participants aged 18–65 years who were exposed to the February 6 earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey. After obtaining online consent from all participants, the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), and the Posttraumatic Post-Traumatic Disorder Checklist Scale (PCL-5) were administered online, and the interactions between the variable sets were examined using a correlational screening model. Results: As a result of the structural equation model established with the observed variables, it was found that VSS total scores had a statistically significant positive effect on PCL-5 (β1 = 0.56; p = 0.001 < 0.05). In addition, statistically significant positive high-level correlations were found between VSS and DHI (covVSS-DHI = 0.71), and a positive low level correlation with the number of days with dizziness (covVSS-number of days with dizziness = 0.34), and a positive low level correlation with frequency of days with dizziness (covVSS-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.37). A statistically significant positive low-level relationship was found between DHI and the number of days with dizziness (covDHI-number of days with dizziness = 0.34) and a positive low-level correlation between DHI and the frequency of days with dizziness (covDHI-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.29). Conclusion: The structural equation modeling analysis showed that post-traumatic stress disorder had a significant effect on balance and dizziness.