Vestibular rehabilitation's effect over the quality of life of geriatric patients with labyrinth disease

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 Mar-Apr;74(2):172-80. doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)31085-5.

Abstract

Dizziness is a symptom that affects the population world over, being more prevalent in the elderly due to the process of functional deterioration of the hearing and vestibular systems with aging.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) as treatment for labyrinth disease of vascular and metabolic origin in the quality of life of geriatric patients.

Methods: The study was outlined as clinical-prospective, longitudinal, and observed, with the participation of 40 elder citizens of both genders, divided in 2 groups, dizziness of vascular or metabolic origin. The patients were evaluated and underwent VR - based on Cawthorne and Cooksey's protocol. The statistical analysis from the data was done through the t-Student test, the coefficients of Pearson and Spearman.

Results: based on quality of life scales showed that the individuals treated and assessed improved after Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Conclusion: we concluded that VR, based on the protocols of Cawthorne and Cooksey, could be beneficial to this population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dizziness / etiology
  • Dizziness / rehabilitation*
  • Exercise Therapy / standards*
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment* / methods
  • Humans
  • Labyrinth Diseases / etiology
  • Labyrinth Diseases / rehabilitation*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Diseases / complications