Clinical studies on psychological and environmental factors of dizziness reported after the Kumamoto earthquake

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  • Matsuyoshi Hidetake
    Matsubase Otolaryngology and internal medicine clinic
  • Yamanishi Takahiro
    Matsubase Otolaryngology and internal medicine clinic
  • Miwa Toru
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 熊本地震後めまいに対する心理的因子と環境因子に着目した臨床的検討

Abstract

<p>　The study was conducted from April 19, 2016 ―three days after the occurrence Kumamoto earthquake― to May 14, 2016. The subjects were divided into three groups. Seventy-four subjects who reported dizziness that exacerbated after the earthquake and visited the hospital for a repeat checkup before the scheduled date were designated as the dizziness exacerbated group (+) after the earthquake group. Thirty-four subjects who had no previous history of dizziness and first experienced it after the earthquake were designated as dizziness developed after the earthquake group. Further, one-hundred and six subjects who did not show any exacerbation of dizziness after the earthquake and visited the hospital for dizziness checkup as scheduled, were designated as the dizziness exacerbated (-) after the earthquake group. The relationship between dizziness after the earthquake and kinetosis (motion sickness experienced in childhood or after becoming an adult) was studied. The results revealed that in the dizziness exacerbated (-) after the earthquake group a significant difference (P<0.001) was observed with respect to being less prone to motion sickness on reaching adulthood. The relationship between the susceptibility to motion sickness after becoming an adult, and dizziness exhibited after the earthquake was also studied. In a comparison between the dizziness exacerbated (-) after the earthquake group and dizziness exacerbated (+) after the earthquake group, the latter showed a significant difference (0.02<P<0.05) with respect to being susceptible to motion sickness after becoming an adult. Similarly, a comparison between the dizziness exacerbated (-) after the earthquake group and dizziness developed after the earthquake group, in the latter a significant difference (P<0.01) was observed with respect to being susceptible to motion sickness on reaching adulthood. The results suggested that the number of subjects who were susceptible to motion sickness in childhood and continued to be susceptible after becoming an adult was higher in the dizziness exacerbated (+) after the earthquake group and the dizziness developed after the earthquake group. The results also suggested that, more often than not, subjects who could not adapt well to vestibular stimulation, even after becoming adults, were more susceptible to developing dizziness after the earthquake.<br>　Various psychological tests were conducted on subjects to assess their psychological status on developing dizziness after the occurrence of the earthquake. In the dizziness exacerbated (+) after the earthquake group, the subjects exhibited neurosis (39.1%), autonomic imbalance (44.6%), psychosomatic disorders (31.1%), and depression (17.6%). Moreover, in the dizziness developed after the earthquake group the subjects exhibited neurosis (41.1%), autonomic imbalance (58.8%), psychosomatic disorders (29.4%), and depression (23.5%). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) test revealed that the state anxiety (64.9%) was significantly higher (0.001<p<0.01) than trait anxiety (40.5%) in dizziness exacerbated (+) after the earthquake group. However, in the dizziness developed after the earthquake group there was no significant difference between the state anxiety and the trait anxiety measures. With respect to dizziness after the earthquake and living environment, in both the dizziness exacerbated (+) after the earthquake group and dizziness developed after the earthquake group, it was observed that a significant number of subjects were living in cars or evacuation centers rather than living at home. The above results suggest that with respect to neurosis, autonomic imbalance, psychosomatic disorders, depression, and tendency of anxiety, appropriate counseling and drug therapy are necessary. <br>　(View PDF for the rest of the abstract)</p>

Journal

  • Equilibrium Research

    Equilibrium Research 75 (4), 189-200, 2016

    Japan Society for Equilibrium Research

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