Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation Program on Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance in Population With Vertigo

Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation Program on Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance in Population With Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by short, recurrent and intense episodes of vertigo. Repositioning maneuvers have been used for its treatment however, evidence indicated recurrence with these maneuvers. However, the effectiveness of this intervention for improving dynamic and static balance in patients with BPPV is unknown. Vestibular rehabilitation through Caw-throne and Cooksey exercises improves dizziness, balance and gives postural stability. This study aims to determine effects of these exercises in improving the residual symptoms of dizziness and balance impairments after CRM. This randomized controlled trial will recruit patients through convenience sampling. Diagnosed patients of BPPV will be confirmed for inclusion through Dix-Hallpike test. Patients presenting with other neurological, orthopedic or metabolic conditions, patients who have had exposure to any balance exercises or other forms of training that can influence results will also be excluded to limit confounding factors A sample of 26 patients will be taken and divided into two groups each with 13 patients. Group A will receive conventional physical therapy while group B will receive Vestibular Rehabilitation exercises with the conventional physical therapy protocol. The conventional physical therapy protocol will include Cervical stretches and Basic Balance Exercises. The session will be around 40 min on each patient with three session per week on alternate days.The study will evaluate patients through Vertigo symptom Scale (to identify vertigo), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (to identify dizziness),Berg Balance Scale (to identify balance and risk of fall). The data will be analyzed using SPPS software.

Vertigo is the perception of motion, which may be described as a sensation of swaying, tilting, spinning of environment or feeling unbalanced. Due to highly variable descriptions of vertigo, it is often consolidated into the umbrella descriptor 'dizziness', a very common complaint.Vertigo can be of vestibular or peripheral origin or be due to non-vestibular or central causes. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo, accounting for over half of all cases. One of the treatment options for vestibular disorders (unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction and central or mixed vestibular disorders) is vestibular rehabilitation (VR). This consists of an individualized exercise program which has been developed to address the deficits identified during the physical therapy evaluation and which has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with dizziness and balance disorders. Currently, this program includes compensatory responses, adaptation for visual-vestibular interaction, substitution and postural control exercises, fall prevention, (re)conditioning activities, and functional retraining.These exercises have been used alone or in conjunction with other vestibular approaches and have been proved effective in improving balance and decreasing fall risk (stroke), postural stability (healthy adults), balance (multiple sclerosis) and decreasing perception of disability (unilateral vestibular hypofunction). Their effectiveness on vertigo, dizziness and balance in patients with BPPV has limited evidence. The current study is designed to determine the effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation exercises on vertigo, dizziness and balance in patients with BPPV. The purpose of this study is that, it will provide the evidence which might improve the treatment strategies for the management of symptoms of BPPV and their recurrence after Canalith Repositioning Maneuver and improve the quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and Female, Age 30-65 years.

  • BPPV diagnosis confirmed by the: 1. A specific history of vertigo/dizziness evoked by acceleration/deceleration. 2. Symptoms of vertigo during Dix Hallpike Test for Posterior Semicircular canal with or without accompanying nystagmus (objective or subjective BPPV)
  • Patients diagnosed with BPPV for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Central nervous system (CNS) involvement,

  • Meniere's disease,
  • Severe eye disorder, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis,
  • Any unstable medical condition (e.g severe hypertension or unstable cardiac diagnosis).
  • Any Cervical pathology.
  • Orthopedic or neurologic diagnoses including sensory loss (e.g diabetes) that might affect postural control and have an impact on functional mobility.

Long-term use of benzodiazepines (more than 20 years).

• Cognitive decline or reduced cultural level that prevents the patient from understanding the assessment, vestibular rehabilitation exercises, and granting informed consent.
• Other Balance Disorders