Effectiveness of two methods of rehabilitation in patients after vestibular neuronitis and vestibular neurectomy

Abstract

Acute vestibular syndrome is a syndrome of clinical symptoms associated with sudden damage to the periphery of the vestibular organ. The most important element in the treatment of patients with vestibular syndrome is motor rehabilitation, which is beneficial for central compensatory processes. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two methods of rehabilitation (training habituation versus sensory conflicts) in patients after vestibular neuronitis and vestibular neurectomy. The material includes the results of the overall balance of the Sensory Organization Test and subjective assessment of the severity of dizziness before and after rehabilitation performed by various methods. Twenty subjects after vestibular neuritis (Group I) and 20 patients after vestibular neurectomy (Group II) were included in the study. In group I, the patients were admitted to the Otolaryngology Clinic Medical University of Warsaw Emergency Room with the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis. In group II, patients had vestibular neurectomy due to Meniere disease with strong untreated vertigo. Both types of rehabilitation lead to a significant improvement in the overall balance of the Sensory Organization Test and subjective assessment of the severity of vertigo irrespective of the extent of injury in the vestibular organ. Better results were obtained in the group after vestibular neuritis treated with sensory conflicts.