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Vestibular Infant Screening - Rehabilitation: A pilot study assessing preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of
Marieke Fontaine1, Els De Leenheer2, Lena Van den Bossche3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Gent, 9000, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Gent, 9000, Belgium.
Insights
The Vestibular Infant Screening - Rehabilitation (VIS-REHAB) protocol shows promise for improving balance and stability in children with vestibular dysfunction. This structured therapy is feasible and well-tolerated, paving the way for evidence-based pediatric VRT guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Vestibular disorders
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Peripheral vestibular dysfunction significantly impacts children's motor skills and quality of life.
- Current evidence-based guidelines for pediatric Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preliminary effects and feasibility of the Vestibular Infant Screening - Rehabilitation (VIS-REHAB) protocol.
- To assess the impact of a structured VRT program on postural and gaze stability in children with peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled crossover trial involving four children (aged 4-14 years) with peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
- The VIS-REHAB protocol included 9 weeks of structured postural and gaze stability exercises (30-min sessions, twice weekly).
- Outcomes measured included postural stability, gaze stability, motor performance, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- Participants showed improvements in postural and gaze stability during the VIS-REHAB period compared to the no-therapy control.
- Secondary outcomes indicated improvements in gait, bilateral coordination, and dynamic visual acuity.
- Children and caregivers reported enhanced balance, reduced falls, and increased daily activity participation.
Conclusions:
- The VIS-REHAB protocol is feasible and well-tolerated in children with peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
- Preliminary findings suggest potential improvements in postural and gaze stability.
- A larger trial is warranted to confirm efficacy and establish evidence-based pediatric VRT guidelines.
Objectives:
This pilot study aims to evaluate the preliminary effects and feasibility of the Vestibular Infant Screening - Rehabilitation (VIS-REHAB) protocol, a structured Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) program combining postural and gaze stability exercises, in children with peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
Methods:
Four children (aged 4-14 years) with peripheral vestibular dysfunction were recruited from the Ghent University Hospital and enrolled in a two-parallel-group randomized controlled crossover trial comparing the VIS-REHAB protocol with a no-therapy control. The VIS-REHAB protocol consisted of structured exercises targeting postural (20 min) and gaze stability (10 min), delivered in 30-min sessions twice weekly over nine weeks. Primary and secondary outcome measures included postural stability, gaze stability, motor performance, and quality of life. Descriptive analyses were conducted for each participant.
Results:
All participants demonstrated improvements in the postural (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) Balance Subtest) and gaze stability (Gaze Stabilization Test) during therapy, while changes during the no-therapy period were more variable and generally less pronounced. Among the secondary outcomes, improvements were observed in the Pediatric Modified Dynamic Gait Index, BOT-2 Bilateral Coordination Subtest, and Dynamic Visual Acuity Test. Children and caregivers reported better balance, a perceived reduction in falls, and increased participation in daily life. The protocol was feasible and well-tolerated, though some age-related limitations were noted.
Conclusions:
The protocol is feasible and may improve postural and gaze stability in children with peripheral vestibular dysfunction. A larger trial is planned to confirm these findings. This research presents an important first step towards developing evidence-based guidelines for pediatric VRT.
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