Does otolith organ dysfunction influence outcomes after a customized program of vestibular rehabilitation?
OBJECTIVE
Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a successful approach to the treatment of vestibular dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of otolith dysfunction on the response to VR in individuals with a peripheral vestibular disorder.


METHODS
Eighteen participants with loss of semicircular canal function only, and 29 participants with combined loss of semicircular canal and otolith organ function were recruited. All participants received a comprehensive clinical assessment before and after an 8-week customized program of VR.


RESULTS
Both groups achieved significant improvements on most measures at the end of the 8-week VR program. However, no significant differences were identified between participants with versus without otolith dysfunction with respect to change in symptom severity (P = .81), self-perceived handicap (P = .92), functional limitations (P = .93), or balance performance after VR.


CONCLUSIONS
Otolith dysfunction does not significantly influence the response to rehabilitation of individuals with a peripheral vestibular disorder. Vestibular rehabilitation is associated improvements in symptom severity, self-perceived handicap, and balance function in individuals with otolith dysfunction.
Murray
Katherine J
KJ
Dizzy Day Clinics, East Richmond, Melbourne, Australia. kmurray@dizzyday.com
Hill
Keith
K
Phillips
Bev
B
Waterston
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004244:Dizziness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D004856:Postural Balance; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests