The Effect and Rehabilitation of Otolith Dysfunction in Vestibular Diseases: A Randomized Comparison of Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises, 2D Visual Habituation, and 3D/Virtual Reality Visual Habituation
The Effect and Rehabilitation of Otolith Dysfunction in Vestibular Diseases: A Randomized Comparison of Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises, 2D Visual Habituation, and 3D/Virtual Reality Visual Habituation
This randomized controlled study compared the clinical and electrophysiological effectiveness of three vestibular rehabilitation approaches in patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disease accompanied by otolith dysfunction: (1) traditional Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises (CCE), (2) two-dimensional (2D) otolith-targeted visual habituation, and (3) three-dimensional/virtual reality (3D/VR) otolith-targeted visual habituation. Forty-five patients aged 18-60 years were randomized into three groups and followed for 6 weeks. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was used as the primary clinical outcome, and cervical and ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) were used as objective electrophysiological measures. Patients were monitored remotely using the Moodle learning management system.
Vestibular rehabilitation is a cornerstone of management in peripheral vestibular hypofunction. While conventional protocols such as the Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises focus largely on vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation, otolith organs (utricle and saccule) are often underaddressed despite their critical role in spatial orientation and postural stability. Visual habituation protocols delivering wide-field optokinetic stimuli in the horizontal and vertical planes may target otolith-related symptoms more directly.
In this trial, 45 patients with chronic unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction (>3 months post-attack) and VEMP asymmetry >40% were randomized into three groups: CCE (n=16), 2D visual habituation (n=13), and 3D/VR visual habituation (n=16). Each group performed assigned exercises three times daily for 6 weeks, supported by the Moodle e-learning platform. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using DHI and cVEMP/oVEMP latency, amplitude, and interaural asymmetry ratio (IAR).
Inclusion Criteria:
Diagnosed unilateral peripheral vestibular disease No identified hearing loss (symmetric hearing) VEMP interaural asymmetry >40% At least 3 months post-acute attack (chronic phase) No ocular disorders No cervical/physical problems No history of psychological or neurological disorders No regular use of alcohol or vestibular suppressant medications Non-fluctuating vestibular symptoms
Exclusion Criteria:
Additional balance disorder pathology beyond unilateral peripheral vestibular disease BPPV repositioning maneuver within the last 30 days Asymmetric or moderate-to-severe hearing loss Motion sickness Active BPPV symptoms in history