The effect of self-management vestibular rehabilitation on persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of self-management vestibular rehabilitation (VR) on the subjective symptoms of dizziness and postural stability in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). Study design: Retrospective case review. Methods: The medical records of 30 patients newly diagnosed with PPPD based on the Bárány Society's diagnostic criteria were reviewed. Nineteen patients (4 males and 15 females; age range 27–84 years, mean age ± standard deviation 57.4 ± 14.2 years) who was newly instructed to self-management VR were included and instructed to perform self-management VR for 2 months. Results: One patient did not visit the outpatient clinic again, and in the remaining 18 patients, 4 (22%) discontinued VR at their own discretion. In the 12 patients who completed 2 months of VR (67%), there was a significant improvement in Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores after VR compared to those before VR (p.05). Conclusions: For PPPD, self-management VR improved subjective symptoms of dizziness, but not stability of standing posture. It is necessary to improve patients' adherence to the treatment. Level of evidence: 4.