title: An iPhone-assisted particle repositioning maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): a prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Epley particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) is an effective treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of peripheral vertigo in primary care settings. The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of an iPhone application (DizzyFIX; Clearwater Clinical Ltd, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) by medical students had a significant impact on the performance of the PRM.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited senior medical students who had previously been trained in the management of BPPV and asked them to perform the PRM on a healthy volunteer. One half of the students used a real iPhone application, whereas the others used a sham application. The PRM performance scores of the 2 groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  iPhone application users scored significantly higher on their PRM performance compared with controls (P < .0001) and performed the PRM significantly more slowly (P < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Senior medical students performed a more correct PRM when assisted by the iPhone application. This application represents a significant improvement from standard medical school training using written instructions. Family physicians could also use this iPhone application for the quick and effective treatment of BPPV.
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (BO, HL); and the Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (MB).
authors.forename: Brock
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Organ
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (BO, HL); and the Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (MB).
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (BO, HL); and the Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (MB). mbromwich@cheo.on.ca.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bromwich
mesh_terms: D065635:Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo / Q000628:therapy*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; Delivery of Health Care; Graduate Education; Mobile Applications; Otolaryngology