The Physical Therapy for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

We treated 45 BPPV (benign paroxismal positional vertigo) patients with physical therapy to cure the vertigo. In this physical therapy, the patients were held in a supine position and their heads were moved to the right and left (neck torsion). In each position, their vertigo and nystagmus were examined with a Frenzel glass or electronystagmograph (ENG). Their nystagmus and vertigo were also examined by the method reported by Brandt and Daroff, and the results obtained by the two methods were compared. All patients were cured of vertigo and nystagmus by our physical therapy as determined by either method. Our therapy was useful and sufficient enough to treat patients with BPPV, because it was simple, patients complained of little anxiety, and it was effective for all patients in the current study. We should explain to the patient the features of BPPV and the effect of physical therapy to remove their anxiety and encourage them to continue to receive therapy. © 1991, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.