Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rehabilitation for bilateral vestibular hypofunction: preliminary report.
Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is increasingly popular, but few data exist to support enthusiasts' claims of efficacy in improving functional abilities of patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH). A double-blind, controlled study of eight subjects (mean, 64 +/- 12 years; seven females, one male) with bilateral vestibular hypofunction was conducted. Subjects in group A received 8 weeks of VR followed by 8 weeks of home VR exercises, whereas those in group B received 8 weeks of control treatment (isometric strengthening exercises) followed by 8 weeks of VR. At the end of 8 weeks, group A walked 8% faster and, during paced gait and stair-climbing, with greater stability, evidenced by a 10% larger maximum moment arm and a 17% decreased double-support duration during gait and stair stance. Group B improved less than 1% during the control treatment. Self-reported Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores did not differ significantly between control and active VR. All subjects improved compared with baseline tests at the 16-week post-test on both functional testing and on the Self-reported Dizziness Handicap Inventory scale. We conclude that in this small sample, VR effectively improved functional, dynamic stability during locomotion, but even strengthening exercises result in self-reported symptomatic improvement.
Krebs
D E
DE
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston 02114.
Gill-Body
K M
KM
Riley
P O
PO
Parker
S W
SW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004584:Electronystagmography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012399:Rotation; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data