Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Patients With Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
Condition: Individuals With Vestibular Hypofunction; Individuals Between the Ages of 18-65
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Bilateral vestibular function is a heterogeneous chronic condition characterized by
      bilaterally decreased or absent function of vestibular organs, vestibular nerves, or both.1
      Patients present with various symptoms such as oscillopsia, imbalance, visual vertigo,
      cognitive deficits, autonomic symptoms, and impaired spatial orientation. The aim of this
      study is to investigate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation on balance, dynamic
      visual acuity and quality of life in patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Twenty
      patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibular hypofunction by videonystagmography were
      included in the study. Balance Tests, Visual Analogue Scale, Dynamic Visual Acuity, Dizziness
      Disability Inventory for quality of life, computer modified for Sensory Interaction in
      Balance Clinical Test (MCTSIB) tests and Limits of Stability test, which provides evaluation
      of body movements, which are an important part of balance, in all directions. Evaluations
      were made at 3 and 6 months before treatment. Physiotherapy sessions were given at two-week
      intervals. According to the development of the patients, they were asked to perform a home
      exercise program with 10 repetitions 3 times a day.
    

Detailed description: 
      After the initial evaluations, the patients included in the study were included in the
      rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program consisted of two phases. The first phase
      included patient education. All patients were planned to receive a verbal training for 30
      minutes by the physiotherapist, including the definition of unilateral vestibular
      hypofunction, its importance, risk factors, ways of prevention, and recommendations for
      preventing falls. The second phase consisted of the vestibular exercise program. In this
      phase, vestibular adaptation exercises, oculo-motor exercises, standing by changing the
      support area, the support surface and the arm positions, heel-toe walking, walking with head
      rotation, backward walking, counting on a soft surface with eyes open and closed, and dynamic
      balance exercises were taught to the patients. The exercise program was arranged 3 times a
      day for 6 months, and each exercise was 10 repetitions. The patients were called for
      physiotherapist control once every 2 weeks. Patients were re-evaluated before the treatment,
      at the 3rd month and after the 6th month.
    

Intervention name(s): vestibular rehabilitation
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Vestibular rehabilitation consisted of a total of 12 sessions, rearranged every 15 days. These exercises were prepared gradually to increase the vestibulo-ocular reflex and vestibulospinal reflex. The following exercises were done with the patients: vestibular adaptation exercises, oculo-motor exercises, standing by changing the support area, the support surface and the arm positions, heel-toe walking, walking with head rotation, backward walking, counting on a soft surface with eyes open and closed, and dynamic balance exercises were taught to the patients. The therapist gave the patients a home exercise program. It was emphasized that the exercises should be applied as 10 repetitions. After the session, the exercises shown to the patients were explained in written form and given as home exercises. They were also asked to do home exercises 3 times a day, 10 repetitions, for 15 days. Patients were re-evaluated before the treatment, at the 3rd month and after the 6th month.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Bilateral vestibular hypofunction; Quality of life; Balance; Vestibular rehabilitation