Short-Term Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Study
Abstract
Giray M, Kirazli Y, Karapolat H, Celebisoy N, Bilgen C, Kirazli T. Short-term effects of vestibular rehabilitation in patients with chronic unilateral vestibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled study.
Objective
To evaluate the short-term effects of vestibular rehabilitation on symptom, disability, balance, and postural stability in patients with chronic unilateral vestibular dysfunction.
Design
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital.
Participants
Patients (N=42) with chronic vestibular dysfunction were divided into either a rehabilitation group (group 1) or a control group (group 2).
Interventions
Patients in group 1 were treated with a customized exercise program for 4 weeks, while the patients in the control group did not receive any treatment.
Main Outcome Measures
Subjects were assessed before and after the rehabilitation program with respect to symptoms (visual analog scale [VAS]), disability (Dizziness Handicap Inventory [DHI]), balance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), and postural stability (modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance [mCTSIB]).
Results
Significant improvements in all parameters (VAS, DHI, BBS, mCTSIB) were observed in group 1 (P<.05). When the 2 groups were compared, there were significant improvements in postexercise VAS, DHI (emotional, functional, physical, total), BBS, and mCTSIB (standing on a firm surface with eyes open, standing on a foam surface with eyes open, standing on a foam surface with eyes closed, mCTSIB mean) in favor of group 1 (P<.05). No significant improvements were seen in any parameters in the control group (P>.05).
Conclusions
Significant improvements were seen in symptom, disability, balance, and postural stability in chronic unilateral vestibular dysfunction after an exercise program. Customized exercise programs are beneficial in treatment of chronic unilateral vestibular dysfunction.
aDepartment of Physical Medicine, University of Ege, Izmir, Turkey
bDepartment of Neurology, University of Ege, Izmir, Turkey
cDepartment of Ear Nose Throat, University of Ege, Izmir, Turkey
Reprint requests to Hale Karapolat, MD, Ege University Medical Faculty Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dept, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT