Test-retest reliability of the video ocular counter roll test (vOCR) in healthy young adult.

Abstract

Background: The ocular counter roll (OCR) is a component of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) characterized by torsional eye movements in the opposite direction of the head during head tilt.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of the video ocular counter-roll (vOCR) test, based on video-oculography (VOG) measurements, in assessing otolith function.

Methods: The study included 40 healthy participants (25 females and 15 males) aged 18-44 years. Each participant underwent the vOCR test twice in 300 lateral head tilt positions 1 week apart. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare the mean values of the measurements.

Results: There were no significant differences between the initial and retest measurements (p>0.05). The ICC for left head tilt was 85.2%, and for right head tilt was 79.3%, both indicating excellent reliability (p<0.01). The ICC for vOCR asymmetry was 50.7%, indicating moderate reliability (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The vOCR test demonstrated high reliability for lateral head tilts and was found to be a reliable tool for evaluating otolith function, supporting its use in the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders.