title: Physical inactivity as a contributing factor for onset of idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Despite limitations arising from a questionnaire-performed study, it seems that nonspecific physical activity can protect against benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), possibly by relocating loosened otoconia from the semicircular canals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Mechanical factors might play a role in the onset of the idiopathic form of BPPV. We performed a structured questionnaire study of physical activity in patients with BPPV and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three consecutive patients with idiopathic BPPV participated in the study. Their mean age was 59.2 ± 14.5 years; 14 were men and 49 were women. Sixty-four age- and sex-matched generally healthy individuals served as controls. Levels of physical activity were assessed by the PASE questionnaire, which consists of 12 items quantifying physical activity during leisure, household, and occupational activities over a 7-day period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total physical score activity was significantly lower in BPPV patients than in controls. Differences were found mainly in household and leisure activity, while occupational activity was similar in both groups, regardless of gender. Patients older than 60 years had significantly lower PASE scores than controls, whereas patients aged 60 years or younger reported similar physical activity to controls. No differences were found between physical activity scores in different types of BPPV or in patients with a first versus recurrent attack of vertigo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. lea.pollak@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Hadassah Stern
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Goldberg
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology