Virtual reality in vestibular rehabilitation: a pilot study

Abstract

Background/AimsWe evaluated the efficacy of using virtual reality with specific games for vestibular rehabilitation to treat patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.MethodsThe Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale), Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Berg Balance Scale, Balancim, Romberg and Dix-Hallpike tests were used to evaluate 10 participants (5 males and 5 females; mean age 38.5 ± 14.7 years) with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, who played 3 specific games of Nintendo Wii console (Snowboard Slalom, Tightrope Walk, Rhythm Parade) for 10 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks.ResultsThe intervention resulted in significant increases in Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale score (d de Cohen >0.50), decreases in Dizziness Handicap Inventory (P<0.05 in t test for all dimensions and total score) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (P<0.05 in Wilcoxon test for all dimensions and total score), and improvement in balance shown on Romberg test, Berg Balance Scale (P<0.05 in t test for all dimensions and total score) and Balancim (d de Cohen >0.80).ConclusionsVirtual reality with the selected games seemed to be effective on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo treatment, improving scores of tests and scales used in the assessment.