title: Computer-assisted training as a complement in rehabilitation of patients with chronic vestibular dizziness--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare a computer-assisted home exercise program with conservative home-training following printed instructions in the rehabilitation of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Geriatric department of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with chronic dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction (N=63) were randomly assigned to either rehabilitation in the clinic followed by computer-assisted home exercises (intervention group: n=32) or rehabilitation in the clinic followed by home exercises according to printed instructions (control group: n=31).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in the intervention group received assisted rehabilitation by a computer program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements at baseline and at 8 and 16 weeks were compared. These included the One Leg Stand Test, Dynamic Gait Index, Chair Stand Test, Motion Sensitivity Test, Short Form-12, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups improved significantly during 16 weeks of rehabilitation. However, neither t tests nor repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated any significant differences between the 2 groups. The overall compliance rate to computer program exercises during 16 weeks was 57%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A computer-assisted program to support the home training of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction did not improve rehabilitation more than did printed instructions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark. Electronic address: michbran@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smaerup
authors.affiliation: Computer Games and Interaction Design, IT University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grönvall
authors.affiliation: Alexandra Institute Ltd, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Simon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Uffe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Laessoe
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens-Jacob
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Else Marie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Damsgaard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004244:Dizziness / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Patient compliance; Rehabilitation; Therapy, computer-assisted; Vestibular diseases