Different Vestibular Rehabilitation Modalities in Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: A Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Audiology

Background:

• Chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction (U সার্বিক) leads to balance and dizziness issues.
• Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a common treatment approach.
• Effectiveness of different VR protocols requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of three VR protocols: adaptation exercises (AEs), habituation exercises (HEs), and combined exercises (AE-HEs).
• To assess outcomes in patients with chronic U সার্বিক.

Main Methods:

• Prospective randomized trial involving 81 patients with chronic U সার্বিক.
• Participants were assigned to AEs, HEs, or AE-HEs for an 8-week VR program.
• Outcome measures included Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), Mini-BESTest, Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Main Results:

• All groups showed significant improvements in FGA and Mini-BESTest scores from baseline to 8 weeks (p < 0.001), except FGA in the HE group.
• The AE-HE group demonstrated superior performance at 4 weeks and significantly better FGA and Mini-BESTest scores than the AE group.
• At 8 weeks, AE-HE showed significantly better results on the Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire and Dizziness Handicap Inventory compared to the HE group (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Combined VR exercises (AE-HE) led to faster improvements and better outcomes in static balance, dynamic postural stability, and self-perceived disability.
• The AE-HE protocol appears more effective than single-exercise protocols for managing chronic U সার্বিক.