Semont maneuver for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Anas R Alashram

doi:10.1007/s00405-024-08586-0

Semont maneuver for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08586-0. Online ahead of print.

Author

Anas R Alashram^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiotherapy, Middle East University, Airport Road 1666, Amman, Jordan. anasalashram@gmail.com.
² Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan. anasalashram@gmail.com.
³ Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy. anasalashram@gmail.com.
⁴ Centre of SpaceBio-Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy. anasalashram@gmail.com.

PMID: 38530461
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08586-0

Abstract

Purpose: This review aimed to examine the effects of the Semont maneuver on posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods: PubMed, PEDro, SCOPUS, REHABDATA, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched comprehensively from inception to January 2024. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was employed to evaluate the quality of the selected studies.

Results: In total, 18 randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria. A total of 2237 participants with BPPV (mean age = 58.10 years) were included in this review. Among them, 37.5% were males, and 58% presented with right-sided BPPV. The included studies ranked from 5 to 9 out of 10 (Median = 7), suggesting good to excellent quality on the PEDro scale. The available literature revealed that the Semont maneuver is effective in improving posterior canal BPPV symptoms.

Conclusion: The Semont maneuver is considered a standard option for treating posterior canal BPPV, with a high success rate of around 80%. It is suggested as the primary option for managing posterior canal BPPV in individuals who complain of cervical or lumbar problems, severe cardiac or respiratory conditions. Further studies are strongly needed to understand the long-term effects of the Semont maneuver and to identify the recurrence rate.

Keywords: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; Rehabilitation; Repositioning maneuver; Semont maneuver; Vestibular rehabilitation.

Publication types

Review