Effects of Vestibular vs. Somatosensory Rehabilitation on Balance and Quality of Life of Sub-acute Stroke Patients with Vestibular Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide, affecting millions of people per year, and it has a large burden on health care systems. In the early subacute phase, patients who survive a stroke usually show impairments in balance, often due to sensory and vestibular deficits; this influences their quality of life. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of vestibular and somatosensory interventions on balance and quality of life in early subacute stroke patients with vestibular syndrome. Fifty-two patients were randomly divided into a vestibular or somatosensory rehabilitation group or a control group receiving usual care. The trial was completed by 49 patients who were evaluated onon the Berg Balance Scale and the Vestibular Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention. Results: The study found that both vestibular and somatosensory rehabilitation interventions led to significant improvements in balance, as indicated by the Berg Balance Scale scores, and quality of life, based on vestibular Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups in terms of their impact on either balance or quality of life outcomes. Conclusion: Vestibular and somatosensory rehabilitation interventions represent effective strategies for improving balance and quality of life in early subacute stroke patients with vestibular syndrome. These findings underline the importance of including targeted rehabilitation approaches within stroke care protocols to achieve optimal functional outcomes and long-term recovery. Keywords: Balance, Stroke, Quality of Life, Vestibular Symptoms.