When vestibular sense organs suffer damage functional problems arise such as imbalance and falls as well as difficulty with gaze control, resulting in blurred vision, dizziness and feelings of disorientation. A novel computer-based rehabilitation program has been developed. Using the Gyration TM motion-sense mouse, attached to a headband, to control computer applications and games, the participants were able to interact with targets in computer games through head motion, allowing different gaze exercises to be carried out. Balance exercises can be incorporated simultaneously and progressively into the rehabilitation program. The main findings of this study revealed that using head rotation to interact with computer games coupled with demanding balance conditions resulted in substantial improvements in gaze control, standing balance and walking performance. These observations provide support that a low-cost home computer-gaming rehabilitation program is well suited to train gaze control through active and passive head motion and to concomitantly train standing balance.

When vestibular sense organs suffer damage functional problems arise such as imbalance and falls as well as difficulty with gaze control, resulting in blurred vision, dizziness and feelings of disorientation. A novel computer-based rehabilitation program has been developed. Using the Gyration TM motion-sense mouse, attached to a headband, to control computer applications and games, the participants were able to interact with targets in computer games through head motion, allowing different gaze exercises to be carried out. Balance exercises can be incorporated simultaneously and progressively into the rehabilitation program. The main findings of this study revealed that using head rotation to interact with computer games coupled with demanding balance conditions resulted in substantial improvements in gaze control, standing balance and walking performance. These observations provide support that a low-cost home computer-gaming rehabilitation program is well suited to train gaze control through active and passive head motion and to concomitantly train standing balance.

Description:It is estimated that 35.4% of adults in the United States have vestibular dysfunction requiring medical attention, and the condition results in a substantial increase in fall risk. The Neurology Section and APTA supported the development of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for vestibular rehabilitation of peripheral vestibular hypofunction. A Cochrane Database systematic review concluded that there is moderate to strong evidence in support of vestibular rehabilitation in the management of patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction for reducing symptoms and improving function. The purpose of the CPG is to review the peer-reviewed literature and make recommendations based on the quality of the research for the treatment of peripheral vestibular hypofunction. The speakers will present the findings of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for vestibular rehabilitation, including clinical and research recommendations. The session will use a case-based approach to illustrate implementation of these guidelines in clinical practice. Learning Objectives:1 . Describe and discuss the action statements from the vestibular rehabilitation CPG. 2. Implement the action statements into clinical practice. 3. Identify the gaps in the evidence and future research directions in vestibular rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Current vestibular rehabilitation for peripheral vestibular hypofunction is an exercise-based approach that improves symptoms and function in most, but not all patients, and includes gaze stabilization exercises focused on duration of head movement. One factor that may impact rehabilitation outcomes is the speed of head movement during gaze stability exercises. OBJECTIVE: Examine outcomes of modified VOR X1 exercises that emphasize a speed-based approach for gaze stabilization while omitting substitution and habituation exercises. Balance training focused on postural realignment and hip strategy performance during altered visual and somatosensory inputs. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 159 patients with vestibular deficits was performed and five outcome measures were analyzed. RESULTS: All outcomes – self-report dizziness and balance function, dynamic gait index, modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance, and clinical dynamic visual acuity improved significantly and approached or achieved normal scores. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of modified VOR X1 gaze stability exercises, wherein patients achieved high-velocity head movement (240°/s) during short exercise bouts, with “forced use” gait and balance exercises for postural realignment and hip strategy recruitment, achieved 93–99% of normal scores for all five outcomes. These results compare favorably to the outcomes for current VR techniques and warrant further investigation.

Background: Uncompensated vestibular hypofunction results in postural instability, visual blurring with head movement, and subjective complaints of dizziness and/or imbalance. We sought to answer the question, “Is vestibular exercise effective at enhancing recovery of function in people with peripheral (unilateral or bilateral) vestibular hypofunction?” Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in 5 databases published after 1985 and 5 additional sources for relevant publications were searched. Article types included meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case control series, and case series for human subjects, published in English. One hundred thirty-five articles were identified as relevant to this clinical practice guideline. Results/Discussion: Based on strong evidence and a preponderance of benefit over harm, clinicians should offer vestibular rehabilitation to persons with unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction with impairments and functional limitations related to the vestibular deficit. Based on strong evidence and a preponderance of harm over benefit, clinicians should not include voluntary saccadic or smooth-pursuit eye movements in isolation (ie, without head movement) as specific exercises for gaze stability. Based on moderate evidence, clinicians may offer specific exercise techniques to target identified impairments or functional limitations. Based on moderate evidence and in consideration of patient preference, clinicians may provide supervised vestibular rehabilitation. Based on expert opinion extrapolated from the evidence, clinicians may prescribe a minimum of 3 times per day for the performance of gaze stability exercises as 1 component of a home exercise program. Based on expert opinion extrapolated from the evidence (range of supervised visits: 2-38 weeks, mean = 10 weeks), clinicians may consider providing adequate supervised vestibular rehabilitation sessions for the patient to understand the goals of the program and how to manage and progress themselves independently. As a general guide, persons without significant comorbidities that affect mobility and with acute or subacute unilateral vestibular hypofunction may need once a week supervised sessions for 2 to 3 weeks; persons with chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction may need once a week sessions for 4 to 6 weeks; and persons with bilateral vestibular hypofunction may need once a week sessions for 8 to 12 weeks. In addition to supervised sessions, patients are provided a daily home exercise program. Disclaimer: These recommendations are intended as a guide for physical therapists and clinicians to optimize rehabilitation outcomes for persons with peripheral vestibular hypofunction undergoing vestibular rehabilitation.

No description available.

Introdução: Desde sua primeira descrição na década de 40 o espectro de aplicação da reabilitação vestibular vem crescendo, tornando-se opção de tratamento em disfunções vestibulares periféricas, incluindo as uni e bilaterais, e em doenças do sistema nervoso central. O presente estudo avalia a eficácia de exercícios que estimulam a adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular em indivíduos com quadro agudo de vertigem. Métodos: neste estudo clínico prospectivo foram avaliados indivíduos aleatoriamente alocados em um grupo de estudo, que realizou exercícios para adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular, e em um grupo controle, que realizou exercícios placebo. Os critérios de inclusão foram história de pelo menos um episódio de vertigem nos últimos cinco dias, idade acima de 18 anos, e alteração em pelo menos dois dos testes objetivos de equilíbrio (teste de Romberg, teste de Fukuda e \"head-shaking\" nistagmo) e/ou presença de nistagmo espontâneo. Os pacientes de ambos os grupos foram orientados a utilizar dimenidrato na dose máxima de 150 mg ao dia, divididas em três doses, podendo auto-regular a dose conforme a intensidade dos sintomas apresentados. Foram excluídos indivíduos que tivessem utilizado medicação com ação no sistema vestibular nos últimos sete dias, com presença de alterações sugestivas de doença do sistema nervoso central, diagnóstico de vertigem posicional paroxística benigna ou de fístula perilinfática. Os pacientes foram avaliados, no início do estudo e em três visitas subseqüentes, realizadas nos períodos de três a cinco dias, sete a dez dias e dezoito a vinte e um dias após o início da pesquisa. Em todas as visitas a avaliação foi realizada por meio de notas atribuídas à intensidade dos sintomas (escala analógica visual), quantidade de medicação utilizada e resultados dos testes de equilíbrio. Resultados: Foram analisados 87 xxxv indivíduos, 45 no grupo de estudo e 42 no grupo controle. Na avaliação inicial os grupos eram semelhantes do ponto de vista estatístico em relação ao sexo e idade dos pacientes, tempo decorrido entre o início dos sintomas e a primeira avaliação, intensidade dos sintomas e achados de exame físico. O grupo de estudos apresentou intensidade de sintomas inferior ao grupo controle nas segunda e terceira avaliações; na quarta e última avaliação ambos os grupos apresentaram sintomatologia semelhante. A quantidade de medicação utilizada pelos pacientes do grupo de estudos foi inferior à utilizada pelo grupo controle em todos as avaliações realizadas. Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação ao desaparecimento do nistagmo espontâneo exceto na terceira avaliação. A proporção de pacientes com teste de Romberg alterado foi menor no grupo de estudo quando comparada ao grupo controle nas segunda (tendência à significância estatística) e terceira avaliações, não havendo diferença entre os grupos na última avaliação. Nos testes de Fukuda e de \"head-shaking\" nistagmo não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação à proporção de testes alterados nas primeira e segunda avaliações, entretanto nas terceira e quarta avaliações o grupo de estudos teve menor proporção de testes alterados. Conclusões: O grupo submetido aos exercícios para adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular obteve melhora clínica mais rápida, fez uso de quantidade menor de dimenidrato e apresentou normalização dos testes clínicos de equilíbrio mais precocemente quando comparado ao grupo controle / Introduction: Since its first description in 1940 decade, the spectrum of use of vestibular rehabilitation has broadened and nowadays comprises unilateral, bilateral and even central vestibular disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercises for adaptation of the vestibuloocular reflex in patients with acute vertigo. METHODS: Study design: prospective randomized trial, patients blinded to assignment groups. The study population had the following characteristics: = 18 years of age, at least one episode of vertigo in the last five days, negative results in at least two objective vestibular tests and/or presence of spontaneous nystagmus. The exclusion criteria were: use of any medication interfering with the vestibular system in the past seven days, clinical history or physical findings indicative of central nervous system disorders, clinical diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or perilymphatic fistula. Patients were randomly allocated to the intervention and placebo controlled groups. Intervention group performed exercises for adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex; control group performed placebo exercises. Both groups were instructed to use dimenhydrinate and self-adjust the dose according to the intensity of their symptoms (up to 150mg/day). Patients evaluated by the assessment of the intensity of symptoms, by analogue visual scale, neuro-otological examination (presence of spontaneous nystagmus, Romberg test, Fukuda test and head-shaking nystagmus) and need to use the medication. There were three appointments in the follow-up period: three to five days, seven to ten days and eighteen to twenty one days after the initial evaluation. Results: There were 87 patients eligible for the study, 45 in the intervention group and 42 in the control group. At the initial evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of sex, age, interval from onset of symptoms to inclusion in the study, intensity xxxvii of symptoms and neuro-otological tests results. Intensity of symptoms: the mean of the patients\' analogue visual scale score was similar for the intervention and control groups at the initial evaluation. At the second and third evaluations the mean score of the intervention group was significantly smaller. At the fourth and final evaluation, the groups were similar again. In the intervention group the amount of medication used by patients was always smaller than in the control group. Presence of spontaneous nystagmus was similar in between the groups at all but the third evaluation. As to the Romberg test results, the proportion of patients with a positive test was smaller for the intervention group at the second and third evaluations (borderline significant for the second intervention). At the fourth and final evaluation, the groups were similar again. As to the Fukuda and headshaking nystagmus tests, results were similar, at the third and forth evaluations the intervention group performed better than the control group. Conclusions: Vestibular exercises for adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex have beneficial effects on treatment of patients with acute vertigo. The intervention group recovered faster, used a reduced amount of medication and performed better on balance tests as compared to the control group

Introdução: Desde sua primeira descrição na década de 40 o espectro de aplicação da reabilitação vestibular vem crescendo, tornando-se opção de tratamento em disfunções vestibulares periféricas, incluindo as uni e bilaterais, e em doenças do sistema nervoso central. O presente estudo avalia a eficácia de exercícios que estimulam a adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular em indivíduos com quadro agudo de vertigem. Métodos: neste estudo clínico prospectivo foram avaliados indivíduos aleatoriamente alocados em um grupo de estudo, que realizou exercícios para adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular, e em um grupo controle, que realizou exercícios placebo. Os critérios de inclusão foram história de pelo menos um episódio de vertigem nos últimos cinco dias, idade acima de 18 anos, e alteração em pelo menos dois dos testes objetivos de equilíbrio (teste de Romberg, teste de Fukuda e \"head-shaking\" nistagmo) e/ou presença de nistagmo espontâneo. Os pacientes de ambos os grupos foram orientados a utilizar dimenidrato na dose máxima de 150 mg ao dia, divididas em três doses, podendo auto-regular a dose conforme a intensidade dos sintomas apresentados. Foram excluídos indivíduos que tivessem utilizado medicação com ação no sistema vestibular nos últimos sete dias, com presença de alterações sugestivas de doença do sistema nervoso central, diagnóstico de vertigem posicional paroxística benigna ou de fístula perilinfática. Os pacientes foram avaliados, no início do estudo e em três visitas subseqüentes, realizadas nos períodos de três a cinco dias, sete a dez dias e dezoito a vinte e um dias após o início da pesquisa. Em todas as visitas a avaliação foi realizada por meio de notas atribuídas à intensidade dos sintomas (escala analógica visual), quantidade de medicação utilizada e resultados dos testes de equilíbrio. Resultados: Foram analisados 87 xxxv indivíduos, 45 no grupo de estudo e 42 no grupo controle. Na avaliação inicial os grupos eram semelhantes do ponto de vista estatístico em relação ao sexo e idade dos pacientes, tempo decorrido entre o início dos sintomas e a primeira avaliação, intensidade dos sintomas e achados de exame físico. O grupo de estudos apresentou intensidade de sintomas inferior ao grupo controle nas segunda e terceira avaliações; na quarta e última avaliação ambos os grupos apresentaram sintomatologia semelhante. A quantidade de medicação utilizada pelos pacientes do grupo de estudos foi inferior à utilizada pelo grupo controle em todos as avaliações realizadas. Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação ao desaparecimento do nistagmo espontâneo exceto na terceira avaliação. A proporção de pacientes com teste de Romberg alterado foi menor no grupo de estudo quando comparada ao grupo controle nas segunda (tendência à significância estatística) e terceira avaliações, não havendo diferença entre os grupos na última avaliação. Nos testes de Fukuda e de \"head-shaking\" nistagmo não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação à proporção de testes alterados nas primeira e segunda avaliações, entretanto nas terceira e quarta avaliações o grupo de estudos teve menor proporção de testes alterados. Conclusões: O grupo submetido aos exercícios para adaptação do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular obteve melhora clínica mais rápida, fez uso de quantidade menor de dimenidrato e apresentou normalização dos testes clínicos de equilíbrio mais precocemente quando comparado ao grupo controle / Introduction: Since its first description in 1940 decade, the spectrum of use of vestibular rehabilitation has broadened and nowadays comprises unilateral, bilateral and even central vestibular disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercises for adaptation of the vestibuloocular reflex in patients with acute vertigo. METHODS: Study design: prospective randomized trial, patients blinded to assignment groups. The study population had the following characteristics: = 18 years of age, at least one episode of vertigo in the last five days, negative results in at least two objective vestibular tests and/or presence of spontaneous nystagmus. The exclusion criteria were: use of any medication interfering with the vestibular system in the past seven days, clinical history or physical findings indicative of central nervous system disorders, clinical diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or perilymphatic fistula. Patients were randomly allocated to the intervention and placebo controlled groups. Intervention group performed exercises for adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex; control group performed placebo exercises. Both groups were instructed to use dimenhydrinate and self-adjust the dose according to the intensity of their symptoms (up to 150mg/day). Patients evaluated by the assessment of the intensity of symptoms, by analogue visual scale, neuro-otological examination (presence of spontaneous nystagmus, Romberg test, Fukuda test and head-shaking nystagmus) and need to use the medication. There were three appointments in the follow-up period: three to five days, seven to ten days and eighteen to twenty one days after the initial evaluation. Results: There were 87 patients eligible for the study, 45 in the intervention group and 42 in the control group. At the initial evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of sex, age, interval from onset of symptoms to inclusion in the study, intensity xxxvii of symptoms and neuro-otological tests results. Intensity of symptoms: the mean of the patients\' analogue visual scale score was similar for the intervention and control groups at the initial evaluation. At the second and third evaluations the mean score of the intervention group was significantly smaller. At the fourth and final evaluation, the groups were similar again. In the intervention group the amount of medication used by patients was always smaller than in the control group. Presence of spontaneous nystagmus was similar in between the groups at all but the third evaluation. As to the Romberg test results, the proportion of patients with a positive test was smaller for the intervention group at the second and third evaluations (borderline significant for the second intervention). At the fourth and final evaluation, the groups were similar again. As to the Fukuda and headshaking nystagmus tests, results were similar, at the third and forth evaluations the intervention group performed better than the control group. Conclusions: Vestibular exercises for adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex have beneficial effects on treatment of patients with acute vertigo. The intervention group recovered faster, used a reduced amount of medication and performed better on balance tests as compared to the control group