Self-treatment on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a self-applied modified Semont maneuver (MSM) with self-treatment using a modified Epley procedure (MEP) in patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV). Methods: All 70 patients with PC-BPPV were treated respctively by using MEP and MSM between July 2001 and June 2003, remission rate and treatment-related side effects were compared at the end of 1 week. Results: Remission rate was 95% in the MEP group (n = 37) vs 58% in the MSM group (n = 33, P < 0.001). Treatment failure was related to the incorrect performance of the maneuver in the MSM group, whereas treatment-related side effects did not show difference significantly between the groups. Conclusion: MEP is more effective than the MSM in relieving BPPV, that MEP might be recommended as a first-line self-treatment approach.