Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T22:18:01.704Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The value of close monitoring in vestibular rehabilitation therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2016

M Itani*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, USA
Y Koaik
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
A Sabri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Malak Itani, Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195, USA E-mail: mitani9@uw.edu

Abstract

Background:

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a well-established treatment modality for patients with vestibular problems.

Hypothesis:

Performing vestibular rehabilitation therapy in a closely monitored setting may result in a better outcome than a home exercise programme.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing vestibular rehabilitation therapy between June 2005 and November 2012 in a tertiary university hospital. The Dynamic Gait Index, the main outcome measure, was utilised before and after the rehabilitation programme. The magnitude of improvement for all patients was analysed, mainly to compare the home exercise group with the closely monitored therapy group.

Results:

Only 32 patients underwent the vestibular rehabilitation therapy programme. In all patients, there was significant improvement in the mean Dynamic Gait Index score (from 11.75 to 17.38; p < 0.01). Dynamic Gait Index improvement was significantly higher with closely monitored therapy (mean improvement of 7.83 vs 2.79; p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The small sample size is a major limitation; nevertheless, closely monitored vestibular rehabilitation therapy resulted in improved performance status. More studies are needed to establish the efficiency of vestibular rehabilitation therapy and compare closely monitored therapy with tailored home exercise rehabilitation.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Chen, EW, Fu, AS, Chan, KM, Tsang, WW. Balance control in very old adults with and without visual impairment. Eur J Appl Physiol 2012;112:1631–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Whitney, SL, Wrisley, DM, Marchetti, GF, Furman, JM. The effect of age on vestibular rehabilitation outcomes. Laryngoscope 2002;112:1785–90CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3 Pothula, VB, Chew, F, Lesser, TH, Sharma, AK. Falls and vestibular impairment. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2004;29:179–82Google Scholar
4 Carter, ND, Kannus, P, Khan, KM. Exercise in the prevention of falls in older people: a systematic literature review examining the rationale and the evidence. Sports Med 2001;31:427–38Google Scholar
5 Herdman, SJ, Schubert, MC, Tusa, RJ. Strategies for balance rehabilitation: fall risk and treatment. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001;942:394412 Google Scholar
6 Badke, MB, Shea, TA, Miedaner, JA, Grove, CR. Outcomes after rehabilitation for adults with balance dysfunction. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:227–33Google Scholar
7 Moreira Bittar, RS, Simoceli, L, Bovino Pedalini, ME, Bottino, MA. The treatment of diseases related to balance disorders in the elderly and the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2007;73:295–8Google Scholar
8 Cohen, HS, Kimball, KT. Increased independence and decreased vertigo after vestibular rehabilitation. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:6070 Google Scholar
9 Browning, GG. A positive review supporting vestibular rehabilitation for unilateral vestibular dysfunction. Clin Otolaryngol 2011;36:250–1Google Scholar
10 Tavares Fda, S, Santos, MF, Knobel, KA. Vestibular rehabilitation in a university hospital. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2008;74:241–7Google Scholar
11 Wrisley, DM, Marchetti, GF, Kuharsky, DK, Whitney, SL. Reliability, internal consistency, and validity of data obtained with the functional gait assessment. Phys Ther 2004;84:906–18Google Scholar
12 Meretta, BM, Whitney, SL, Marchetti, GF, Sparto, PJ, Muirhead, RJ. The five times sit to stand test: responsiveness to change and concurrent validity in adults undergoing vestibular rehabilitation. J Vestib Res 2006;16:233–43Google Scholar
13 Brown, KE, Whitney, SL, Wrisley, DM, Furman, JM. Physical therapy outcomes for persons with bilateral vestibular loss. Laryngoscope 2001;111:1812–17Google Scholar
14 Vereeck, L, Truijen, S, Wuyts, FL, Van de Heyning, PH. The dizziness handicap inventory and its relationship with functional balance performance. Otol Neurotol 2007;28:8793 Google Scholar
15 Wetmore, SJ, Eibling, DE, Goebel, JA, Gottshall, KR, Hoffer, ME, Magnusson, M et al. Challenges and opportunities in managing the dizzy older adult. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144:651–6Google Scholar
16 Segarra-Maegaki, JA, Taguchi, CK. Study about the benefits of vestibular rehabilitation in peripheral vestibular disorders [in Portuguese]. Pro Fono 2005;17:310 Google Scholar
17 Meli, A, Zimatore, G, Badaracco, C, De Angelis, E, Tufarelli, D. Vestibular rehabilitation and 6-month follow-up using objective and subjective measures. Acta Otolaryngol 2006;126:259–66Google Scholar