Effects of home training and additional physical therapy on recovery after acute unilateral vestibular loss--a randomized study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of additional physical therapy on recovery after acute unilateral vestibular loss given to patients receiving home training.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Ear, nose and throat departments in three hospitals.

Subjects: Fifty-four patients (mean age 52 years) with acute unilateral vestibular loss within the last week confirmed with electronystagmography testing were included. Patients with central neurologic or auditory symptoms or other vertigo disease were excluded.

Interventions: Home training with or without additional physical therapy 12 times during 10 weeks.

Main measures: Electronystagmography testing was performed before and after the training period. Clinical static (Romberg's test, sharpened Romberg's test, standing on foam and standing on one leg) and dynamic (walking forward and backward on a line) balance tests and subjective ratings of vertigo and balance problems on a visual analogue scale were done one week, 10 weeks and six months after the start of training.

Results: Similar changes were seen in the two training groups.

Conclusions: No significant differences in outcome regarding balance function or perceived symptoms were found between home training with or without additional physical therapy.