Dynamic posturography after computerized vestibular retraining for stable unilateral vestibular deficits

Balance deficits increase the risk of falls and compromise quality of life. Current treatment modalities do not resolve symptoms for many patients.

To measure changes in objective posturography after a computerized vestibular retraining therapy protocol.

This was a single-arm interventional study of individuals with a stable unilateral vestibular deficit present for greater than six months. Participants underwent 12 twice-weekly sessions of computerized vestibular retraining therapy. Objective response was measured by the Sensory Organization Test and questionnaires were administered to measure subjective changes.

We enrolled 13 participants (5 females and 8 males) with a median age of 51 years (range 18 to 67). After retraining, the Sensory Organization Test composite score improved by 8.8 (95% CI 0.6 to 19.1) and this correlated with improvement in the Falls Efficacy Scale-International questionnaire (r_s -0.6472; 95% CI -0.8872 to - 0.1316). Participants with moderate-to-severe disability at baseline (n = 7) demonstrated greater improvement in the composite score (14.6; 95% CI 7.0 to 36.9).

Computerized vestibular retraining therapy for stable unilateral vestibular deficits is associated with improvement in dynamic balance performance. Posturography improvements correlated with a reduction in perceived fall risk. Trial Registration Information Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT04875013; 04/27/2021.