Gait in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vestibular System Disorders
• Gait Analysis

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo.
• Patients with BPPV exhibit gait unsteadiness, persisting even between acute episodes.
• Understanding gait alterations in BPPV is crucial for managing patient mobility and fall risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify gait changes in patients diagnosed with unilateral BPPV.
• To investigate if gait alterations correlate with the specific affected semicircular canal or lesion side.
• To assess the impact of canalith repositioning treatment (CRT) on gait parameters in BPPV patients.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 33 patients with unilateral BPPV, excluding those with other neurological or vestibular conditions.
• Utilized the GAITRite™ system for comprehensive gait assessment.
• Gait analysis was performed both before and after canalith repositioning treatment (CRT).

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in gait velocity (p < 0.001) and cadence (p < 0.001) were observed post-CRT.
• Functional ambulation profile (p = 0.011) and stride time variability (p = 0.004) also showed significant improvement.
• Center of pressure (COP) distribution analysis indicated enhanced postural stability during locomotion after treatment; no significant differences in gait variables were found based on canal type or lesion side.

Conclusions:

• Resolution of BPPV through CRT leads to measurable improvements in gait velocity, rhythmicity, and stability.
• The findings suggest that vestibular dysfunction in BPPV impairs the integration of sensory information, affecting gait performance.
• Gait parameter improvements post-treatment highlight the effectiveness of CRT in restoring functional mobility.