title: Vestibular rehabilitation in acute central vestibulopathy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of two different rehabilitation programs in acute central vestibulopathy secondary to posterior circulation stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 25 patients with posterior circulation stroke. Patients were instructed in routine balance and mobility exercises during the acute hospitalization period. At discharge, patients were assigned to either a rehabilitation or home exercise group. The home exercise group was instructed to perform the same exercise program provided in the course of hospitalization period. The rehabilitation group was randomized into the visual feedback posturography training or vestibular rehabilitation group. The balance and gait performance were assessed with clinical and objective measurements before and after 6 weeks of training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The balance and gait scores were significantly improved in both rehabilitation groups and in the home exercise group (p< 0.05), but no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of post-treatment values (p> 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The improvements of balance and gait function in rehabilitation groups did not differ from the home exercise group. Rehabilitation programs were equally effective to improve the recovery in acute central vestibulopathy.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Birgül Donmez
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: Gülden
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akdal
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaka
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Acute stroke; balance; posterior circulation; vestibular rehabilitation