Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation Interventions in the Elderly with Chronic Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Musculoskletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Hearing Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction:
Although vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) methods are relatively popular in treating patients with body balance deficits of vestibular origin, only limited studies have been conducted into customized exercises for unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH). Furthermore, very little evidence is available on the outcomes of VRT in the elderly population with chronic UVH.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 21 patients, aged 61 to 74 years, with UVH participated in this study. The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was performed immediately before, and 2 and 8 weeks after treatment.
Results:
All patients showed a reduction in DHI scores during the study. The average decrease in DHI score was 25.98 points after 2 weeks’ intervention (P<0.001) and 32.54 points at the end of the study. This improvement was observed in all DHI subscores, and was most profound in the functional aspect. The correlation between the degree of final recovery and canal paresis was not significant (P>0.05). There were no relationships between the scores and gender.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates that VRT is an effective method for the management of elderly patients with UVH, and shows maximal effect on functional aspects.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 29, Issue 4 - Serial Number 93
July and August 2017
Pages 183-188

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