Identification of Follow-Up Markers for Rehabilitation Management in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma

Abstract

This study delves into the absence of prognostic or predictive markers to guide rehabilitation in patients afflicted with vestibular schwannomas. The objective is to analyze the reweighting of subjective and instrumental indicators following surgery, at 7 days and 1 month postoperatively. This retrospective cohort encompasses 32 patients who underwent unilateral vestibular schwannoma surgery at the Marseille University Hospital between 2014 and 2019. Variations in 54 indicators and their adherence to available norms are calculated. After 1 month, one-third of patients do not regain the norm for all indicators. However, the rates of variation unveil specific responses linked to a preoperative error signal, stemming from years of tumor adaptation. This adaptation is reflected in a postoperative visual or proprioceptive preference for certain patients. Further studies are needed to clarify error signals according to lesion types. The approach based on variations in normative indicators appears relevant for post-surgical monitoring and physiotherapy.