A Case Report: Balance Training with Virtual Reality in Patients with Bilateral Peripheral Vestibulopathy

Abstract

The use of computerised imaging technologies in vestibular rehabilitation is a new concept. We aimed to examine the effects of virtual reality in a bilateral vestibulopathy patient. The subject was a 22-year old male patient. The bilateral semi-circular channels of patient were ossified, which showed advanced stage sensorineural hearing loss. Balance was analysed with Berg balance Scale (BBS), state of balanced feeling with visual analogue scale (VAS), and daily living activities with the activitiesspecific balance confidence scale (ABC). The scales were applied before and after treatment. The patient’s balance was treated with virtual reality for 18 sessions, after which the patient was feeling his balance better. The patient’s VAS score before rehabilitation was 5 and later it was 7. The ABC scores changed from 60 to 90. The BBS score was 51 before rehabilitation and later it was 56. Balance rehabilitation was successful in bilateral vestibulopathy. Keywords: Bilateral vestibulopathy, virtual reality, balance, vertigo.