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Customised vestibular rehabilitation with the addition of virtual reality based therapy in the management of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 August 2021

E Mempouo ,
K Lau ,
F Green ,
C Bowes  and
J Ray
E Mempouo*
Affiliation:
Department of Neuro-otology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield, UK
K Lau
Affiliation:
Department of Neuro-otology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield, UK
F Green
Affiliation:
Department of Neuro-otology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield, UK
C Bowes
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield, UK
J Ray
Affiliation:
Department of Neuro-otology, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Sheffield, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Miss Eugenie Mempouo, 94 Mulehouse Road, SheffieldS10 1TB, UK E-mail: Eugenie.Mempouo2@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

Visual-vestibular mismatch patients experience persistent postural and perceptual dizziness. Previous studies have shown the benefit of vestibular rehabilitation for visual desensitisation using gaze stabilisation exercises and optokinetic stimulation. This study assessed the benefit of customised vestibular rehabilitation with visual desensitisation and virtual reality based therapy rehabilitation in the management of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.

Methods

This retrospective study included 100 patients with Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores of more than 0.9. All patients received virtual reality based therapy along with usual vestibular rehabilitation using gaze stabilisation exercises with a plain background followed by graded visual stimulation and optokinetic digital video disc stimulation. Patients’ symptoms were assessed before and after vestibular rehabilitation using the Situational Characteristic Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7, Nijmegen Questionnaire and Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Results

There were statistically significant improvements in Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores, Nijmegen Questionnaire scores and Dizziness Handicap Inventory total score. However, there was a statistically insignificant difference in Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 scores. There was a significant positive correlation between post-rehabilitation Situational Characteristic Questionnaire scores and other questionnaire results.

Conclusion

Incorporating virtual reality based therapy with customised vestibular rehabilitation exercises results in significant improvement in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness related symptoms.

Keywords

Chronic Subjective DizzinessPersistent Postural-Perceptual DizzinessCustomized Vestibular RehabilitationPhysical Therapy ExercisesOptokinetic StimulationVirtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 10 , October 2021 , pp. 887 - 891
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Miss E Mempouo takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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