Author:
De Somer C.,Delrue S.,Cammaert T.,Verschueren D.,De Waele K.
Abstract
Development of vestibular rehabilitation in an ambulatory care centre: treatment protocol and results in a group of 12 patients with a unilateral vestibular hypofunction
Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is recommended in patients with a unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) or areflexia resulting from inflammatory, traumatic or other aetiologies. In this study, the authors describe the treatment protocol and discuss the results of individually delivered VR in combination with a home exercise programme in patients initiating therapy 2 months or more post-onset of a UVH.
Retrospectively, the data were analysed of patients presenting with > 25% hypofunction on caloric irrigation who were referred by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist in the period of January 2021 until January 2023. The patients received individualized therapy sessions of 45 minutes in combination with a home exercise programme. The following outcome measures were used: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), Foam Stance Eyes Closed (FSEC), Dynamic Visual Acuity Test-Non Instrumented (DVAT-NI) and comfortable gait speed.
Twelve patients (9 men and 3 women) with a mean percentual hypofunction of 81% were included (6 right- and 6 left-sided). The study found clinically relevant improvements for DHI and FGA, based on the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) of these tests. The mean DVAT-NI and FSEC scores normalized towards an age-appropriate level.
VR leads to clinically relevant changes on different outcome measures in UVH patients. A centre for ambulatory rehabilitation (CAR) where multidisciplinary rehabilitation for people with hearing loss is provided, is a suitable setting to offer VR because of the longstanding cooperation between ENT specialists and physiotherapists. Nevertheless, there are challenges that need consideration when implementing VR into a CAR.