Visual dependence after vestibular rehabilitation by virtual reality in individuals with unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction – one year of results

Abstract

Abstract Introduction One of the most common approaches in individuals with unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction (UPVD) is vestibular rehabilitation (RV). Many factors can negatively affect the result of RV. Virtual reality based treatment may represent an important tool in the solution of these problems. In individuals with UPVD there is a decrease in the reception of vestibular stimuli and there is an adjustment in the reception of visual and proprioceptive stimuli. They use more visual cues to minimise the decrease in vestibular stimuli – visual dependence (VD). Although the importance and results of virtual reality as a tool in improving balance in individuals with UPVD have already been demonstrated, we intend to demonstrate that virtual reality allows significant improvements in the decrease in VD. Objectives The aim of the study is to compare VD levels in individuals with UPVD after RV program by virtual reality. Methodology For the evaluation of VD, dynamic posturography was performed with the Balance Rehabilition Unit equipment for 39 people with UPVD, before and after the RV program by virtual reality. Ten conditions were tested, with different visual and propriocetive stimuli. The parameters considered were the oscillation area of the pressure centre and the sway velocity. Results In the parameter of the oscillation area of the pressure centre, statistically significant results were found in the 10 conditions tested. In the sway velocity parameter, statistically significant results were found in the condition 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 10. Conclusion Virtual reality incorporated in the RV programs presents itself as an important tool in improving VD in individuals with UPVD.