[The evaluation of the efficiency of kinesitherapy in the patients with mixed-type vertigo]

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of kinesitherapy in the patients with mixed-type vertigo.

Material and methods: The study was conducted on a randomized group of 35 patients, 21 women and 14 men aged 24-75 years (mean age 42.5 years), who were treated at the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology Medical University Teaching Hospital in Lodz for mixed-type vertigo. The inclusion criteria were an interview, physical and otorhinolaryngological examinations, laboratory investigations, complete audiological and otoneurological examinations, including BERA and VNG, USG examination of the blood vessels to the cranium, and CT of the cervical spine. Each patient underwent an individually selected set of habituation exercises, corrective exercises for posture and its orientation in space through 2 months. The efficiency of the implemented therapy was evaluated after two weeks, one month and two months with the use of the complete videonystagmographic test and Silvoniemi's criteria.

Results: The mean excitability of the labyrinths was 25.38 degrees/s before rehabilitation and 22.26 degrees/s after rehabilitation, absolute directional preponderance was 7.62 degrees/s and 1.92 degrees/s respectively, relative directional preponderance was 31.36 degrees/s and 12.57 degrees/s, and unilateral deficit 32.12 degrees/s and 14.34 degrees/s. The subjective evaluation of the vertigo intensification based on the 5 stages of Silvoniemi's scale indicates that the mean point-based evaluation reported by the patients at the beginning of the therapy was 3.85 points, whereas after the therapy was 2.91 points after two weeks, 2.35 points after one month, and 1.2 points after two months.

Conclusions: Kinesitherapy is an alternative and very effective method for treating mixed-type vertigo.