Efficacy of particle repositioning maneuver in BPPV: a prospective study

A single blinded prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to determine the efficacy of particle repositioning maneuver (PRM).

Out of 40 patients, 20 underwent PRM with the rest receiving a placebo treatment. Postprocedural instructions were given to all the patients who underwent PRM. Follow-up was for 1 year at regular intervals. Analysis was based on the symptomatic status and the Hallpike maneuver at each visit.

After the initial week, 95% showed complete resolution of symptoms with none reporting a recurrence after PRM. On the contrary, only 15% of the controls had complete resolution with 14 out of 20 reporting a recurrence of BPPV. Results remained more or less the same at the end of 4 weeks. Six months after PRM, 19 of 20 patients had no vertigo with a meager 5% showing recurrence versus 75% of controls reporting a recurrence with only 3 of 20 reporting a favorable symptom status. At the end of 1 year, 18 of 20 patients had complete relief from symptoms with only 10% showing Hallpike maneuver positive in the study group compared with 3 of 20 reporting a relief from symptoms with 90% turning out to be Hallpike maneuver positive in the control group.

This study establishes the efficacy of PRM in short- and long-term management of BPPV; the procedure is easy and simple.