Virtual Reality in People With Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

The Effect of Using Virtual Reality on Balance in People With Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) and vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) in enhancing balance in individuals with Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). The experimental group received VR combined with VRT and optokinetic stimulation, while the control group received VRT and optokinetic stimulation. The study involved 42 individuals diagnosed with PPPD and administered ten intervention sessions over six weeks. The study also examined the impact of VR on various aspects of PPPD, including dizziness, visual vertigo, mental well-being, sleep quality, fall risk, and overall quality of life.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) represents a relatively new vestibular diagnosis that has garnered recent attention within the medical community. Consequently, there exists a pressing demand for efficacious and innovative management strategies. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the comparative effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) versus vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) in enhancing balance among individuals afflicted with PPPD. A secondary purpose encompassed an investigation of VR's impact on various dimensions of PPPD, including dizziness, visual vertigo, mental well-being, sleep quality, fall risk, and overall quality of life. Materials and Methods: A cohort comprising forty-two individuals conclusively diagnosed with PPPD was randomly assigned to two distinct groups. The experimental cohort comprised twenty-one participants subjected to a combination of VR with optokinetic stimulation alongside VRT, whereas the control group, also consisting of twenty-one individuals, underwent solely optokinetic stimulation paired with VRT. The intervention sessions were administered twice weekly over a span of six weeks, resulting in a total of ten intervention sessions. Additionally, baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted to gauge the efficacy of the interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of the PPPD from a specialized physician, based on the diagnostic criteria published by the Barany Society.
• Patients who scored more than 27 on the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ)

Exclusion Criteria:

• If they suffered from other neurological or orthopedic deficits that affected their balance and prevented them from moving independently.