Treatment of vertigo and postural instability using visual illusions.

BACKGROUND

Ototoxicity caused by medication can lead to debilitating symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo and postural instability. There is no current 'gold standard' treatment available.

CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old male, with bilateral loss of vestibular function caused by gentamicin toxicity after surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis, complained of dizziness, difficulty in walking and an increased risk of falling. Physical examination showed a positive head thrust test suggesting bilateral loss of vestibular function.

RESULTS

The patient underwent a specific motion-based virtual reality enhanced protocol for peripheral vestibular disease. He showed a great improvement, with a 50 per cent reduction in his Dizziness Handicap Inventory score.

CONCLUSION

Computer-aided rehabilitation programmes might represent an important advance in gait and posture training.