Rotational Chair vs. Manual Maneuvers for Non-Complex BPPV: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vestibular Disorders

Background:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo.
• Conventional manual maneuvers are the standard treatment for BPPV.
• The Thomas Richard Vitton (TRV) chair offers a mechanical alternative for BPPV treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical efficacy of the TRV chair versus manual maneuvers for uncomplicated BPPV.
• To assess the impact on patient quality of life.
• To identify risk factors for BPPV recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, randomized, open-label study with 102 patients.
• Patients assigned to TRV chair or manual maneuvers.
• 12-month follow-up assessing clinical resolution, maneuver count, recurrence, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• No significant difference in mean maneuvers for resolution between TRV chair and manual groups.
• Both groups showed significant improvements in DHI and VAS scores.
• Patients over 65 showed a trend toward faster resolution with the TRV chair.
• Advanced age, head trauma, osteoporosis, and prior BPPV episodes were associated with increased maneuver requirements or recurrence.

Conclusions:

• The TRV chair provides comparable efficacy and quality-of-life improvements to manual maneuvers for uncomplicated BPPV.
• The TRV chair is a valuable alternative for patients with mobility constraints.
• Risk factors for recurrence include osteoporosis and previous BPPV episodes.