Effects of Semont maneuver on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of peripheral vertigo. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Semont maneuver (SM) for BPPV treatment, compared with other methods.

METHODS

Studies were selected in relevant databases under pre-defined criteria up to June 2015. The Cochrane evaluation system was used to assess the quality of the studies. Effect size was indicated as a risk-ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidential interval (CI). Statistical analysis was conducted under a randomized- or fixed-effects model. Sub-group analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. All of the studies presented a low attrition bias, but a high selection and reporting bias. SM had a much higher recovery rate (SM vs no treatment: RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.97-3.44, p < 0.01; SM vs sham: RR = 4.89, 95% CI = 3.01-7.94, p < 0.01), and lower recurrence rate than those from controls (SM vs no treatment: RR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.04-0.31, p < 0.01). Overall, SM had similar outcomes with Epley maneuver (EM) and Brandt-Daroff exercise (BDE) in terms of recovery rate, recurrence rate, and side-effects.

CONCLUSION

SM is as effective as EM and BDE for BPPV treatment.