Metabolic and Chronobiological Changes in Vestibular Rehabilitation

Impact of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Metabolic Aspects and Chronobiological Behavior

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of vestibular rehabilitation on metabolic aspects when evaluated by means of bioelectrical impedenzometry analysis, smart watch device and actigraphy in a group of vestibular hypofunction patients previously studied by means of video head impulse test, posturography and clinical validated scales

Recent advances in the field of vestibular-related disorders demonstrated that such conditions may interfere on different pathways underpinning metabolic behaviour, daily life activities and also chronotype behaviour. However, no studies evaluated how vestibular rehabilitation procedures - well established in literature - may interfere on these vestibular-related disorders. On the other side, recent advances in portable bioelectrical impedenzometry devices, smart watches devised to evaluate energy expenditure during daily life activities and actigraphy devices demonstrated to be useful in continuously monitoring different aspects of metabolic, activity and sleep behaviour.

Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of vestibular rehabilitation on metabolic aspects when evaluated by means bioelectrical impedenzometry analysis, smart watch device and actigraphy in a group of vestibular hypofunction patients previously studied by means of video head impulse test, posturography and clinically validated scales

Inclusion Criteria:

• unilateral vestibular hypofunction achieved according to accepted criteria, by bithermal caloric irrigation, showing at least 25% reduced vestibular response on one side when calculated by means of Jongkees' formula, 3 months or later after symptom onset. In order to avoid confounding factors, and following previous experiences, only subjects presenting with a concurrent reduction in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain when studied by means of video head impulse test will be included in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of falls, cardiovascular, metabolic, rheumatologic, orthopedic, or other neurological conditions, liver or renal abnormalities.
• pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Neurological and neuro-psychiatric diseases
• insulin-dependent diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, hypothyroidism, lung diseases, hepatitis, chronic kidney failure, and Cushing syndrome
• medication possibly impacting on cochleo-vestibular function or with a history of drug or alcohol addiction
• inability to understand and agree to the examination procedures.