Are Cervical Collars a Necessary Postprocedure Restriction in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common inner ear disorder.
• Particle repositioning maneuvers (PRM) are standard treatment for BPPV.
• Post-procedure activity restrictions, including cervical collar use, are sometimes advised to prevent recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if using a cervical collar after PRM for BPPV impacts the number of maneuvers required for symptom resolution.
• To evaluate the efficacy of post-BPPV cervical collar use.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective and prospective review of 624 patients with posterior canal BPPV treated with a modified Epley maneuver (PRM).
• Comparison of outcomes between a group advised to wear a cervical collar for 48 hours post-PRM and a group not given this advice.
• Statistical analysis using the chi-squared test.

Main Results:

• Symptom resolution rates after the first PRM were 84% in the cervical collar group and 82.8% in the no collar group.
• Resolution rates after subsequent PRMs showed no statistically significant difference between the groups.
• Overall, there was no significant difference in symptom resolution between patients who wore a cervical collar and those who did not.

Conclusions:

• The use of a cervical collar following PRM for BPPV offers no significant benefit in symptom resolution.
• Current clinical guidance can be updated to exclude cervical collar use, improving patient comfort and convenience.
• This study, the largest of its kind, supports removing unnecessary post-procedure restrictions for BPPV management.