Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises Research Articles

A game-based application increases enjoyment and motivation during vestibular rehabilitation exercises

A game-based application increases enjoyment and motivation during vestibular rehabilitation exercises

Efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation program in children with balance disorders and sensorineural hearing loss

ObjectiveAsses the efficacy of a Vestibular-balance rehabilitation program to minimize or reverse balance disability in children with sensorineural hearing loss. MethodForty-five hearing-impaired children with balance deficits (i.e., variable degrees of sensorineural hearing loss or auditory neuropathy). Thirty-five were rehabilitated with cochlear implants, and ten with hearing aids. Their age ranged from 4 to 10 years old. A Pre-rehab evaluation was done using questionnaires, neuromuscular evaluation, vestibular and balance office testing, and vestibular lab testing (using cVEMP and caloric test). Customized balances, as well as vestibular rehabilitation exercises, have been applied for three months. That was followed by post-rehab assessment, including the Arabic DHI questionnaire, PBS, BESS, HTT, and DVA test. ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in all measured parameters (including the Arabic DHI questionnaire, PBS, BESS, HTT, and DVA test) after rehabilitation. ConclusionsVestibular-balance rehabilitation intervention positively impacts vestibular and balance functions in hearing-impaired children.

Effects of constructing vestibular rehabilitation exercise platform based on BS model on vertigo symptoms, balance ability and anxiety of vertigo patients

Objective:To explore the effect of vestibular rehabilitation exercise platform based on browser server（BS） mode on vertigo symptoms, balance ability and anxiety of vertigo patients. Methods:The clinical data of 110 patients with vertigo in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who received routine vestibular rehabilitation exercise from March 2019 to may 2020 were set as the control group （55 cases）, and the patients who received vestibular rehabilitation exercise platform guidance based on BS mode from June 2020 to December 2021 were set as the study group （55 cases）. The scores of Fugl Meyer balance assessment scale（FMA）, hospital anxiety and Depression Scale（had）, vertigo disorder scale（DHI）, quality of life scale（SF-36）, vertigo visual analog scale（VAS）, Berg Balance Scale（BBS）, rehabilitation treatment effect and rehabilitation exercise compliance were compared between the two groups. Results:before rehabilitation exercise, there was no significant difference in the scores of DHI, VAS, FMA, BBS, had and SF-36 between the two groups（P>0.05）. After 3 months of exercise, the scores of DHI, had and vas in the study group were lower than those in the control group, and the scores of FMA, BBS and SF-36 in the study group were higher than those in the control group（P<0.05）. The excellent and good rate of rehabilitation efficacy and treatment compliance rate in the study group were higher than those in the control group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The vestibular rehabilitation exercise platform based on CS mode can improve the limb movement and balance ability of patients with vertigo, reduce the vertigo symptoms and psychological anxiety, and improve the rehabilitation treatment effect and compliance of patients.

Improved Recovery after Vestibular Schwannoma Excision with Intratympanic Gentamicin Prehabilitation.

Translabyrinthine excision of a vestibular schwannoma is associated with acute vestibular failure. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) injections can improve objective balance function after surgery but its clinical benefits remain to be established. Adult patients undergoing translabyrinthine removal of a vestibular schwannoma between January 2014 and February 2018 underwent preoperative vestibular function testing. Patients were divided in to 3 groups, those with vestibular function (VF) who received ITG injections, those with VF but did not receive ITG and those with no VF. Groups were compared according to degree of vertigo, length of stay, time to unassisted mobilization, and postoperative anti-emetic consumption. Forty six patients had ITG injections (Group 1), 7 had residual VF but refused treatment (Group 2), 21 had no VF (Group 3). Group 1 had a significant improvement in vertigo over time whereas groups 2 and 3 did not. There was a statistically significant 70% decrease in time to independent mobilization between Group 1 and other groups and a 19% decrease in length of stay in Group 1 compared to other groups although this did not reach statistical significance. Two patients had injection-related complications. Group 1 used less anti-emetics than other groups but this was not statistically significant. Preoperative intratympanic gentamicin injection with vestibular rehabilitation exercises is associated with less postoperative vertigo and earlier postoperative mobilization. There was reduced duration of hospitalization and decreased consumption of anti-emetic but not significantly so possibly because of low numbers of patients in the no treatment group. 2 Laryngoscope, 134:3316-3322, 2024.

Assessing the Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Vestibular Home Exercise Performance with Wearable Sensors.

After a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), dizziness and balance problems are frequently reported, affecting individuals' daily lives and functioning. Vestibular rehabilitation is a standard treatment approach for addressing these issues, but its efficacy in this population remains inconclusive. A potential reason for suboptimal outcomes is the lack of objective monitoring of exercise performance, which is crucial for therapeutic success. This study utilized wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) to quantify exercise performance in individuals with mTBI during home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Seventy-three people with mTBI and fifty healthy controls were enrolled. Vestibular exercises were performed, and IMUs measured forehead and sternum velocities and range of motions. The mTBI group demonstrated a slower forehead peak angular velocity in all exercises, which may be a compensatory strategy to manage balance issues or symptom exacerbation. Additionally, the mTBI group exhibited a larger forehead range of motion during specific exercises, potentially linked to proprioceptive deficits. These findings emphasize the usefulness of utilizing IMUs to monitor the quality of home-based vestibular exercises for individuals with mTBI and the potential for IMUs improving rehabilitation outcomes.

Technology affects the type of errors patients make during vestibular rehabilitation exercises

Technology affects the type of errors patients make during vestibular rehabilitation exercises

Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction: A randomized controlled study.

The aim of the study was to investigate the superiority of rehabilitation with virtual reality (Nintendo Wii) over habituation exercises in chronic vestibular hypofunction. Eighty-seven patients (44 males, 43 females; mean age: 45.8±12.2 years; range, 19 to 70 years) with chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction were included in the prospective randomized controlled study conducted between October 2017 and June 2018. Patients were randomized into two groups: the treatment group (TG; n=45) and the control group (n=42). Each group received vestibular rehabilitation exercises. The TG exercised with visual stimulation (virtual reality) in addition to the standard exercises. The patients were evaluated before the treatment and at two and three months. The frequency of dizziness was questioned. Visual analog scale, timed up and go test, Berg balance test, Romberg test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire were used to assess the patients. There was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of dizziness in both groups at two- and three-month controls (p<0.001). In the comparison between the groups, severity of dizziness, frequency of attacks, and daily frequency were significantly improved in the TG (p<0.001). Adding virtual reality therapy to habituation exercises is effective in reducing the frequency of attacks.

Role of the functional head impulse test in evaluating vestibulo-ocular reflex abnormalities in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

To assess vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using a new method called functional head impulse test (fHIT). Case-control study. Tertiary medical center. Twenty individuals with PD were recruited for PD group, and twenty healthy individuals for the control group. Ages of both groups ranged from 47 to 76 years. According to the modified Hoehn-Yahr score, PD group was classified as an early stage with a range of 1-2.5 and a mid-late stage with a range of 3-5. Percentage of correct answers (%CA) was calculated using fHIT for lateral, anterior and posterior semicircular canal (SCC) planes. PD group had statistically lower fHIT %CA in the right lateral, left lateral, and left posterior SCC planes compared to control group (p < .05). There was no statistical difference between two PD severity groups and functional VOR abnormality. It was concluded that the functional VOR in the right lateral and left lateral and left posterior SCC plane was affected in individuals with PD. Our results show that impaired VOR and reduced dynamic visual acuity should be considered in individuals with PD for vestibular rehabilitation exercises.

Head mounted display effect on vestibular rehabilitation exercises performance.

Vestibular rehabilitation clinical guidelines document the additional benefit offered by the Mixed Reality environments in the reduction of symptoms and the improvement of balance in peripheral vestibular hypofunction. The HOLOBalance platform offers vestibular rehabilitation exercises, in an Augmented Reality (AR) environment, projecting them using a low- cost Head Mounted Display. The effect of the AR equipment on the performance in three of the commonest vestibular rehabilitation exercises is investigated in this pilot study. Twenty-five healthy adults (12/25 women) participated, executing the predetermined exercises with or without the use of the AR equipment. Statistically significant difference was obtained only in the frequency of head movements in the yaw plane during the execution of a vestibular adaptation exercise by healthy adults (0.97 Hz; 95% CI=(0.56, 1.39), p<0.001). In terms of difficulty in exercise execution, the use of the equipment led to statistically significant differences at the vestibular-oculomotor adaptation exercise in the pitch plane (OR=3.64, 95% CI (-0.22, 7.50), p=0.049), and in the standing exercise (OR=28.28. 95% CI (23.6, 32.96), p=0.0001). Τhe use of AR equipment in vestibular rehabilitation protocols should be adapted to the clinicians' needs.

Are Telerehabilitation Exercise Practices Effective in Patients Diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of classical Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises (Control Group-CG) given as home exercise program and VR + balance exercises (Experimental Group-EG) applied with telerehabilitation method on patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Material and Methods: The patients were randomly divided into 2 therapy groups in the ALKU Hospital (CG; 21 patients, and EG;22 patients). Pre- and post-test experimental design was adopted and a six-week training was offered. The participants' balance ability (Romberg, tandem and semi-tandem tests), vertigo severity (Vertigo Symptom Scale-VSS, VAS), vertigo-related disability level (Dizziness Handicap Inventory-DHI), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory-BAI) and quality of life (Vertigo Dizziness Imbalance Questionnaire-VDI) were assessed. Regarding the balance ability, findings in tandem and semi-tandem tests were significantly increased in the EG compared to CG (p < 0.05). According to VAS, the severity of dizziness decreased significantly compared to the CG (p < 0.05). Regarding the DHI score, symptoms of vertigo were reduced considerably after the treatment compared to the CG (p < 0.05). A significant improvement was observed in the quality of life of the EG group according to VDI scoring (p < 0.05). Although gains were observed in both groups, it was observed that the EG group obtained more effective improvement in the severity of vertigo, disability level due to vertigo, and quality of life compared to the home exercise group.These results confirmed the hypothesis that EG applications are effective and clinically applicable in patients with BPPV.

Inner ear barotrauma: A case report of rare post-operative complication following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

To highlight a rare case of inner ear barotrauma as a post-operative complication following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). A 65-year-old man diagnosed with localised prostate carcinoma underwent elective RARP in a steep Trendelenburg position. Postoperatively, the patient complained of bothersome dizziness and spinning of surroundings associated with nausea. The patient was diagnosed to have vestibular symptoms secondary to inner ear barotrauma. He was started on prochlorperazine 12.5 mg and antibiotics, following which the patient improved. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises were taught to the patient. After 3 days of treatment, the patient did well with no episodes of dizziness. The patient was discharged on tablet cinnarizine 25 mg thrice daily for a week. On follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic. Inner ear barotrauma can be a rare complication of a combination of prolonged steep Trendelenburg during robotic surgery and pneumoperitoneum. Only further reporting of such incidents can help determine predisposing factors and precautions for preventing such incidents.

Association of Cervical Spondylosis with Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: a case report

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is thought to be the main cause of vertigo globally. It is recurrent and remediable disease accounts under peripheral vestibular disorder which involve one or more then on semicircular canal with floating and displaced otoconia. Activated afferents of semicircular canals produce false sensation of nystagmus. It is characterized by scanty spinning sensations initiated by head movements, commonly in the vertical or horizontal planes. BPPV is common in elderly population and is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. BPPV is mostly diagnosed by history and complete examination which involve the Dix-Hallpike maneuver consider as gold standard maneuver in assessment. BPPV is mostly treated conservatively utilizing various physiotherapeutic techniques. Patient education, Semont maneuver (SM), Epley maneuver, Brandt Daroff along with vestibular rehabilitation exercises are proven to be effective in improving sensations of vertigo and chances of reoccurrence. Keywords: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Cervical Spondylosis, Association

Korean Medicine Treatment for Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Infarction: A Case Report

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medicine for a patient with dizziness following anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction.Methods: The patient was treated with traditional Korean methods including acupuncture, herbal therapy, moxibustion, and vestibular rehabilitation exercise during an admission period of seven days. The patient’s dizziness was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI), Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC), Korean Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living (K-VADL), the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI).Results: After seven days of combined treatment with traditional methods and vestibular rehabilitation, the patient’s dizziness was reduced from NRS 6-7 to NRS 2. In addition, K-DHI decreased from 84 to 22; K-ABC improved from 52% to 78.125%; K-VADL reduced from 175 to 37; the mRS score changed from 4 to 1; and the K-MBI score increased from 86 to 98. No adverse events were observed during treatment.Conclusion: This study suggests that combined therapy of Korean medicine and vestibular rehabilitation can be effective treatment for anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction patients.

Gans repositioning maneuver for the posterior canal BPPV patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is a syndrome marked by brief bouts of vertigo accompanied by rapid changes in head position. Recent ongoing therapeutic approaches used are vestibular rehabilitation exercises and physical maneuvers like the Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver. Gans repositioning maneuver (GRM) is a new hybrid maneuver, consisting of safe and comfortable series of postures that can be conveniently applied on patients with any spinal pathology or even in elderly. Randomized controlled/clinical trials of the Gans maneuver were identified. The proportion of patients who improved as a result of each intervention was assessed, as well as the conversion of a 'positive' Dix-Hallpike test to a 'negative' Dix-Hallpike test. Improvement was seen in almost all patients with the Gans maneuver and the Epley Maneuver in three trials with the pooled estimate for random effect model is 1.12 [0.87; 1.43: 100%]. There were no significant side effects from the treatment. This study shows that the Gans maneuver is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from posterior canal BPPV. The review is registered in Prospero with no. CRD42021234100.

Evaluating Oculomotor Tests before and after Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Pre-Post Study.

Introduction The elderly population is commonly affected by balance and gait disorders that increase the risk of falls. Pivotal systems for efficient postural control are sensory, motor, visual, vestibular, and cognitive. Disruption in any of these systems could lead to postural instability. Vestibular rehabilitation is a set of exercises that positively affect the primary components of the central sensory-motor integration, including somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems. Accordingly, we hypothesized that vestibular rehabilitation exercises might improve both oculomotor functions and upright postural control in patients with Parkinson's disease. Materials and Methods 11 idiopathic Parkinson's patients voluntarily participated in this study based on inclusion criteria: central vestibular dysfunction and the Hoehn and Yahr scale scores less than or equal to 3. Videonystagmography (VNG) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores were measured at the baseline. Then, the patients underwent vestibular rehabilitation training for 24 sessions (3 sessions per week). The VNG and BBS were measured again after 48 hours of the completion of the last session of the training. Result After completing vestibular rehabilitation sessions, there were significant improvements in balance (P ≤ 0.001). Eye-tracking and gaze function statistically improved in 7 patients and 6 patients, respectively. Conclusion Vestibular rehabilitation produced positive effects on oculomotor function and balance in a small cohort of people with PD. Consequently, it could be considered as a possible effective intervention for Parkinson's patients. This trial is registered with IRCT201709123551N6.

Multi-Intervention of Balance Exercise to Prevence of Fall Risk among Vertigo Patient

The condition of vertigo if left unchecked will endanger the patient. Vertigo has an impact on quality of life which includes limitations in carrying out daily activities, the risk of falling and can result in injury. This study was conducted to determine the multi-intervention of balance exercise in preventing the risk of falling in vertigo patients. A rapid literature review was conducted on this study related to multi-intervention balance exercises in preventing the risk of falls in vertigo patients from the PubMed, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases. Inclusion criteria for vulnerable full text research articles in 2017-2021 using English. Balance exercise with vestibular rehabilitation, balance retraining, wobble board exercise can be one way to prevent the risk of falling by maintaining balance in vertigo patients and being able to reduce dizziness symptoms, improve quality of life, compliance in exercise and improve dizziness symptoms. Most studies say that balance exercise interventions with vestibular rehabilitation, balance retraining, and wobble board exercises are effective in improving balance, reducing dizziness symptoms in vertigo patients as a prevention of the risk of falling

Effects of stabilizing reversal technique and vestibular rehabilitation exercise on dizziness and balance ability in patients with vestibular neuritis: An observational study.

Vestibular neuritis is a common disease of peripheral dizziness. Studies have shown that vestibular rehabilitation exercise (VRE) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) are effective to treat the symptoms of vestibular neuritis. However, the effect of VRE and PNF on the balance ability and dizziness in this patient cohort remains unclear.The aim of our observational study was to determine the changes in dizziness and balance ability of patients with vestibular neuritis who participated in the VRE program with stabilizing reversal technique (SRT).The reporting of this study conforms to the STROBE statement. Ten men and women aged ≥ 20 years who were diagnosed with vestibular neuritis were included. Patients performed VRE with SRT for 4 weeks with assistance from a therapist. VRE without SRT can also be performed at home. Dizziness was evaluated using the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and visual analog scale (VAS). Balance ability was assessed using the Berg's balance scale (BBS) and timed up and go test (TUG). At pre- and post-exercise, paired t test was performed to compare the within-group differences.After the program, DHI (45.40 ± 6.74 to 21.00 ± 7.07), VAS (5.90 ± 1.20 to 2.80 ± 0.92), BBS (45.10 ± 2.77 to 52.70 ± 1.83), and TUG (15.29 ± 1.13 to 12.06 ± 1.61) scores improved significantly in the VRE program group (P = .05).The VRE program combined with SRT was effective in reducing dizziness and increasing balance ability in patients with vestibular neuritis.

Effectiveness of conventional versus virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises in elderly patients with dizziness: a randomized controlled study with 6-month follow-up

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of vestibular rehabilitation exercises supported with virtual reality containing real-life environments on dizziness, static and dynamic balance, functional mobility, fear of falling, anxiety, and depression in elderly patients with dizziness. MethodsIn this prospective randomized controlled study, 32-patients aged 65-years and older who applied to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with dizziness complaint randomly assigned to 2 groups. In Group 1 (n=16), vestibular rehabilitation program, supported with virtual reality, and in Group 2 (n=16), conventional vestibular rehabilitation program was applied 30-min a day, 5 sessions per week, 15 sessions in total for 3 weeks. Subjects were evaluated with The Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Berg Balance Test (BBT) and Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Postural Stability Test (PST), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) at baseline, at the end of the treatment and 6-months after the treatment. ResultsStatistically significant improvements were seen in the DHI emotional subscale and TUG in Group 1 compared to Group 2 at the end of the treatment in elderly with dizziness (p<0.05). Also, there were significant improvements in the VSS, all DHI subgroups, and total scores, BBT, HAS in Group 1 compared to Group 2 at the 6-months after the treatment (p<0.05). ConclusionThe application of vestibular rehabilitation in a virtual reality environment can lead to additional improvements especially in dizziness symptoms, disability, balance, and mobility in the elderly with chronic dizziness.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Precision Vestibular Rehabilitation in Adolescents following Concussion: Preliminary Findings

To compare the effectiveness of a 4-week precision vestibular rehabilitation intervention compared with a behavioral management control intervention for adolescents with vestibular symptoms/impairment within 21days of a concussion. This study used double-blind, randomized controlled trial design involving adolescent (12-18 years) patients with a diagnosed sport/recreation-related concussion with vestibular symptoms/impairment from a concussion-specialty clinic between October 2018 and February 2020. Eligible participants were randomized in a 1:1 to either a 4-week vestibular intervention group (VESTIB) or a behavioral management control group (CONTROL). CONTROLS (n=25) were prescribed behavioral management strategies (eg, physical activity, sleep, hydration, nutrition, stress management) and instructed to perform stretching/physical activity (eg, walking, stationary cycle) 30minutes/day. VESTIB (n=25) were prescribed precision vestibular rehabilitation exercises and instructed to perform at-home exercises for 30minutes/day. Primary outcomes were improvement in Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening vestibular items (ie, horizontal/vertical vestibular-ocular reflex, visual motion sensitivity) at 4weeks postenrollment. We screened 310 and enrolled a total of 55 (18%) adolescent patients who were randomized to one of the interventions. Fifty of fifty-five (91%) participants completed all aspects of the study protocol. Participants in VESTIB improved significantly across the intervention period in horizontal (mean difference-1.628; 95% CI [-3.20, -0.06]; P=.04) and vertical (mean difference-2.24; 95% CI [-4.01, -0.48]; P=.01) vestibular-ocular reflex, but not visual motion sensitivity (mean difference-2.03; 95% CI [-4.26, 0.19]) of the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening score compared with CONTROLS. Overall, the vestibular intervention group experienced greater clinical improvements in vestibular symptoms/impairment than controls across the 4-week intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03555370.

Customised vestibular rehabilitation with the addition of virtual reality based therapy in the management of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.

Visual-vestibular mismatch patients experience persistent postural and perceptual dizziness. Previous studies have shown the benefit of vestibular rehabilitation for visual desensitisation using gaze stabilisation exercises and optokinetic stimulation. This study assessed the benefit of customised vestibular rehabilitation with visual desensitisation and virtual reality based therapy rehabilitation in the management of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. This retrospective study included 100 patients with Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores of more than 0.9. All patients received virtual reality based therapy along with usual vestibular rehabilitation using gaze stabilisation exercises with a plain background followed by graded visual stimulation and optokinetic digital video disc stimulation. Patients' symptoms were assessed before and after vestibular rehabilitation using the Situational Characteristic Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7, Nijmegen Questionnaire and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. There were statistically significant improvements in Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores, Nijmegen Questionnaire scores and Dizziness Handicap Inventory total score. However, there was a statistically insignificant difference in Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 scores. There was a significant positive correlation between post-rehabilitation Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores and other questionnaire results. Incorporating virtual reality based therapy with customised vestibular rehabilitation exercises results in significant improvement in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness related symptoms.