Is Your Head-Turning Causing Dizziness? What MS Patients Should Know

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Key Takeaway

About half of people with neurological disorders show problems with the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which helps keep vision steady during head movement.

What They Found

Researchers looked at 45 studies including about 1,600 people and used a test called the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) that checks how well your eyes stay on a target when your head moves. Overall, about 48% of participants had VOR problems, meaning their eyes didn’t move correctly to keep vision steady during head turns. Different conditions showed very different rates: almost everyone with CANVAS (a rare balance disorder) had VOR problems, many people with ataxia and superficial siderosis did too, and about 59% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed VOR dysfunction. Parkinson’s disease showed VOR problems in about 44% of people, while traumatic brain injury and multiple system atrophy had lower rates in the studies. The authors say we need more complete vestibular testing and research to understand why these eye–head reflex problems happen and how to treat them effectively.

Who Should Care and Why

People with MS and their caregivers should care because VOR problems can make dizziness and balance issues worse, and nearly 6 in 10 people with MS in these studies had VOR dysfunction. If your vision jumps or you feel wobbly when turning your head (for example when looking over your shoulder while walking), this study suggests that the VOR might be part of the problem — knowing this can point you to specific testing and therapy. Healthcare providers such as neurologists, physiotherapists, and vestibular therapists should note that checking the VOR with vHIT could uncover treatable causes of dizziness in MS patients. For daily life, addressing VOR problems can make activities like walking, turning, or driving safer — think of it like fixing a camera’s image stabilization so pictures aren’t blurry when the camera moves. Caregivers can use this information to ask clinicians about vestibular testing and balance-focused rehab when a person with MS reports dizziness or unstable vision during head movement.

Important Considerations

The studies varied a lot in who was included and how they tested people, so the exact numbers (like 59% for MS) are approximate and might change with better studies. Not every study used a full set of balance tests, so some problems might have been missed or mixed with other causes of dizziness. This means while VOR dysfunction is likely important, each person should get individualized testing and care rather than assuming the same cause or treatment for everyone.

Categories:

MS Diagnostics Specific Symptoms Early Research

Article Topics:

Central nervous system diseasesDizzinessHead impulse testMeta-analysisVertigo

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like Journal of neurology often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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