A Comparison of Two Home Exercises for Benign Positional Vertigo: Half Somersault versus Epley Maneuver

Abstract

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) frequently recurs after treatment, so a home exercise would be desirable. We designed a self-administered exercise, the half somersault, for home use. In this randomized single-blind study, we compare the efficacy of our exercise to self-administered Epley maneuvers in patients with BPPV. Subjects performed exercises twice while observed, were re-tested with the Dix Hallpike, and then reported on exercise use for 6 months. Outcome measures were the reduction of nystagmus intensity, tolerability of induced dizziness, and long-term efficacy. Both exercises resulted in a significant reduction in nystagmus after two self-applications. The Epley maneuver was significantly more efficacious in reducing nystagmus initially, but caused significantly more dizziness during application than the half somersault. During the 6-month follow-up, the Epley group had significantly more treatment failures than the half somersault group. We believe that both exercises can be self-applied to control symptoms, but the half somersault is tolerated better and has fewer side effects as a home exercise.