The Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation and Manual Therapy on Patients with Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction: A Randomized and Controlled Clinical Study

Ana Sedeño-Vidal, Fidel Hita-Contreras () and María Alharilla Montilla-Ibáñez
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Ana Sedeño-Vidal: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
Fidel Hita-Contreras: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
María Alharilla Montilla-Ibáñez: Otorhinolaryngology Service, University Hospital “City of Jaen”, 23007 Jaen, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: (1) Objective: To determine the effect of a directed vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) program with manual therapy (MT) on dizziness-related disability and imbalance symptoms among patients with peripheral unilateral vestibular dysfunction. (2) Methods: Eighty patients (54.75 ± 1.34 years) were allocated either to a control group ( n = 40), who underwent a directed VRT program, or to an experimental group ( n = 40), who received the same program plus MT once a week/4 weeks. We assessed their level of disability (Dizziness Handicap Inventory, DHI), balance confidence (the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale—16 items), postural balance (resistive multisensor platform), and the frequency and intensity of dizziness symptoms (visual analog scale). (3) Results: Post-intervention between-group improvements were observed regarding DHI total score and intensity in the experimental group ( p < 0.001), as well as four weeks later. Six months after, the experimental group exhibited improvements in the center of pressure velocity with eyes open ( p = 0.019), DHI total score ( p = 0.001) and subscales (all p < 0.05), and intensity ( p = 0.003) and frequency ( p = 0.010) of dizziness. Balance confidence improvements were observed 1 month ( p = 0.035) and 6 months ( p = 0.038) post-intervention. (4) Conclusions: Directed VRT plus MT is a safe and beneficial intervention that speeds up recovery for patients suffering from dizziness and instability derived from unilateral vestibular dysfunction.

Keywords: dizziness; vestibular rehabilitation; physical therapy; postural balance; unilateral vestibular hypofunction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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