Effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in a clinical series

Abstract

Introduction: Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) consists of a series of exercises that increase labyrinthine compensation and/or improve the activity of the other two systems that participate in balance. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a VR program in patients in our ORL department presenting with walking instability secondary to vestibular pathology. Material and method: Prospective study of patients with objective imbalance as demonstrated by VIII nerve test. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire on VR in order to determine the degree of imbalance and the level of daily life disturbances. The study group was assigned to a VR exercise program for 6 weeks, while the control group received standard pharmacological treatment. Results: 48 patients were included, 26 in the study group and 22 in the control group. In the study group, after 6 weeks all patients showed some degree of symptoms improvement, with 92% reporting only mild imbalance, and with complete rehabilitation in 8%. In the control group, after 6 weeks symptoms persisted in 50% of patients, and the remaining 50% reported mild imbalance; none recovered completely. Discussion: VR is a non-invasive exercise program, easily performed at home, that has demonstrated to be effective in reducing imbalance, which in turns results in that many of the daily activities can be performed again.