The effect of vestibular rehabilitation supplemented by training of the breathing rhythm or proprioception exercises, in patients with chronic peripheral vestibular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of performing vestibular rehabilitation using the Cawthorne & Cooksey exercises supplemented by training of the breathing rhythm or proprioception exercises on self-reported disability and postural control, in patients with chronic, peripheral, vestibular disease.


METHODS
Fifty one patients with peripheral vestibular disease and abnormal caloric test participated in the study (mean age 43 +/- S.D. 9 years). They were assigned to one of 3 treatment groups: I. Cawthorne &} Cooksey exercises with training of the breathing rhythm (n=17); II. Cawthorne & Cooksey exercises with proprioception exercises (n=17) and III. Cawthorne & Cooksey exercises with no additional intervention (n=17). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and static posturography were evaluated prior to treatment and at week 8 of follow-up.


RESULTS
Prior to treatment, composite scores on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and static posturography were similar in the 3 groups. After treatment, a decrease of the composite score of at least 18 points was observed more frequently in patients of the respiration group (94%), compared to the proprioception group (53%) and the Cawthorne & Cooksey group (70%) (p=0.03); while the proprioception group showed a significant decrease of oscillation during all sensory conditions of static posturography (p< 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that regulation of the breathing pattern may have an influence on disability related to chronic vestibular disease, while proprioception exercises may improve postural control. However, further studies are needed to evaluate if training of the breathing rhythm could be an additional tool for vestibular rehabilitation.
Jáuregui-Renaud
Kathrine
K
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Otoneurolgía, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México DF. kjauren@mx.inter.net
Villanueva Padrón
Laura Alejandra
LA
Cruz Gómez
Nora Silvia
NS
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011187:Posture; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*