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The value of close monitoring in vestibular rehabilitation therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2016

M Itani ,
Y Koaik  and
A Sabri
M Itani*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, USA
Y Koaik
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
A Sabri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Malak Itani, Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St, Box 357115, Seattle, WA 98195, USA E-mail: mitani9@uw.edu
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Abstract

Background:

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a well-established treatment modality for patients with vestibular problems.

Hypothesis:

Performing vestibular rehabilitation therapy in a closely monitored setting may result in a better outcome than a home exercise programme.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing vestibular rehabilitation therapy between June 2005 and November 2012 in a tertiary university hospital. The Dynamic Gait Index, the main outcome measure, was utilised before and after the rehabilitation programme. The magnitude of improvement for all patients was analysed, mainly to compare the home exercise group with the closely monitored therapy group.

Results:

Only 32 patients underwent the vestibular rehabilitation therapy programme. In all patients, there was significant improvement in the mean Dynamic Gait Index score (from 11.75 to 17.38; p < 0.01). Dynamic Gait Index improvement was significantly higher with closely monitored therapy (mean improvement of 7.83 vs 2.79; p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The small sample size is a major limitation; nevertheless, closely monitored vestibular rehabilitation therapy resulted in improved performance status. More studies are needed to establish the efficiency of vestibular rehabilitation therapy and compare closely monitored therapy with tailored home exercise rehabilitation.

Keywords

RehabilitationPhysical Therapy TechniquesVestibular DiseasesCost-Benefit Analysis

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 131 , Issue 3 , March 2017 , pp. 227 - 231
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

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