Exploratory fall risk and preventive intervention in acute vestibular neuritis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vestibular Rehabilitation

Background:

• Acute vestibular neuritis (AVN) is a common cause of vertigo.
• Dizziness and fall risk are significant concerns for AVN patients.
• Effective interventions are needed to improve recovery and prevent falls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Dizziness & Fall Risk Assessment and Intervention (DFRAI) in patients with AVN.
• To analyze recovery from dizziness and vestibular function after DFRAI implementation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of AVN patients undergoing DFRAI.
• Assessment of dizziness and fall risk using subjective questionnaires (VAS-DHI-FOF).
• Objective evaluation of vestibular function via Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and caloric testing at baseline and 3 months.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in subjective dizziness and fear of falling (VAS-DHI-FOF scores).
• Objective improvement in vestibular function: SOT composite scores increased from 63 to 77.5.
• Reduced canal paresis (CP) scores from 42.9 to 29.9, indicating vestibular recovery.

Conclusions:

• DFRAI demonstrated efficacy in improving subjective dizziness and objective vestibular function in AVN patients.
• The intervention is a comprehensive solution for managing dizziness and associated fall risk.
• Appropriate application of DFRAI is recommended for enhanced recovery and fall prevention in AVN.