Effects of Customized Web Video-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients With Vestibular Hypofunction: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of customized web video-based vestibular rehabilitation in patients with chronic vestibular hypofunction.

STUDY

DESIGN

This study is a randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

The dizziness specialty clinic.

PATIENTS: The participants were diagnosed with chronic vestibular hypofunction.

INTERVENTIONS: The study used a randomized controlled trial design, in which participants were randomly assigned to either the customized web video-based vestibular rehabilitation or booklet-based vestibular rehabilitation in a 1:1 ratio.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were assessed at three time points: before-intervention (baseline), post-intervention completion (6 wk), and follow-up (12 wk). The primary outcome was the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), the secondary outcome was the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and tertiary outcomes included other functional and psychological assessments.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of the patients were comparable between the two groups. Statistical analysis revealed a significant time effect for the DGI score ( p < 0.0001). Comparing the post-intervention and follow-up assessments to the baseline assessment, the customized web video-based VR group showed a significant increase in the DGI score. Time × group interaction effects were observed ( F = 5.739, p < 0.01). Both groups showed decreased DHI_total scores when comparing the postintervention and follow-up assessments to the baseline assessment. No serious adverse events were reported during intervention period.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that customized web video-based VR improved DGI compared with booklet-based VR, and the intervention effect was maintained at 6-week follow-up. Additionally, the findings suggested that both interventions improve to a similar extent DHI. Therefore, vestibular rehabilitation with motion visualized by video may be more effective than that with still image by booklet.