Barbecue roll maneuver for horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: This review aims to investigate the effects of the Barbecue roll maneuver on horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HC-BPPV) recovery.

METHODS

Multiple databases, including "PubMed, PEDro, REHABDATA, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science" were searched from inception to October 2024". Experimental studies that included patients with HC-BPPV that performed the Barbecue roll maneuver independently or in combination with other treatments, compared with active, passive, or no controls, assessed HC-BPPV symptoms, were included in this analysis. The "Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)" scale was used to investigate the methodological quality of the included studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria with 768 HC-BPPV patients (mean age = 56.16 years; 64% female; 52% right-side HC-BPPV; 90% geotropic HC-BPPV). The PEDro scores ranged from 3 to 8, with a median of 6. The findings showed that the Barbecue roll maneuver is not superior in reducing HC-BPPV symptoms compared to other maneuvers, such as the Gufoni, the Gufoni-Appiani and the Li repositioning.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial findings indicated that the Barbecue roll maneuver is considered a treatment option for treating geotropic HC-BPPV. Performing Barbecue roll maneuver for 1 to 3 times can yield meaningful effects. Accurate diagnosis of HC-BPPV is essential for optimal treatment outcomes. The success rate of recovery depends on patient characteristics and therapist proficiency. Additional studies are recommended.