Short-term efficacy of Semont maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a double-blind randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the short-term efficacy of Semont maneuver for unilateral posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV).


METHODS
The short-term efficacy of Semont maneuver was compared with a sham procedure in 128 patients with PC-BPPV by using a double-blinded prospective randomized controlled trial in the setting of a neurologic outpatient clinic in China. Analysis was based on the symptomatic status and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver on the fourth day. At this time, patients in both groups with a still positive Dix-Hallpike test were treated with Semont maneuver, and outcome was again assessed on the seventh day.


RESULTS
On the fourth day, 55 (84.62%) of 65 patients in the treatment group showed complete resolution of symptoms compared with 9 (14.29%) of 63 patients in the control group. (p < 0.001) 59 (90.77%) of 65 and 52 (82.54%) of 63 patients reported resolution of symptoms in the treatment and original sham group, respectively (p = 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
Semont maneuver is shown to resolve PC-BPPV effectively, and patients should receive Semont maneuver once the PC-BPPV diagnosis was confirmed.
Department of Neurology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Ying
Y
Chen
Jianhua
J
Zhuang
Lin
L
Zhang
Yancheng
Y
Li
Zhe
Z
Jin
Zhongxin
Z
Zhao
Ying
Y
Zhao
Hui
H
Zhou
D000328:Adult; D065635:Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000628:therapy*