Different Vestibular Rehabilitation Modalities in Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of three vestibular rehabilitation protocols in patients with chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction.

Study design: Prospective randomized trial.

Setting: Audiology-neurootology laboratory in a general public hospital.

Patients: Eighty-one patients were randomly allocated into three groups: adaptation exercises (AEs), habituation exercises (HEs), and combined exercises (AE-HEs).

Interventions: Each patient completed an 8-week vestibular rehabilitation program with exercise, depending on their allocation group.

Main outcome measures: Evaluations performed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks with (a) Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), (b) Mini-BESTest, (c) Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire, and (d) Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Results: FGA and Mini-BESTest scores showed significant improvement between the baseline and 8-week scores in all groups (p < 0.001), except for the FGA score in the HE group. The AE-HE group showed better scores for all measurements at 4 weeks and had significantly better FGA and Mini-BESTest scores than the AE group and better FGA scores than the HE group. The Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores in the AE-HE group were significantly better (p ≤ 0.001) than those in the HE group at 8 weeks.

Conclusions: The AE-HE group showed faster improvement and significantly better outcomes for static balance, dynamic postural stability, and self-perceived disability than the single-exercise protocols in chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction.