Assessment and Treatment of Patients With Long-term Dizziness in Primary Care (LODIP)

Bergen University College

Status: Completed

Conditions: Vertigo; Vestibular Neuritis; Dizziness

Treatments: Behavioral: BI + VR + CBT; Behavioral: BI + phone calls

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02655575

2014/921

Details and patient eligibility

About

Brief Summary:

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of a Group based intervention consisting of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with long--lasting vestibular dizziness. The study also aims to describe sociodemographic, physical and psychological characteristics in the patients, and to examine prognostic factors related to functional status and disability following participation in the intervention.

Prior to the RCT, a feasibility study will be conducted to examine the feasibility of the study protocol.

Full description

Dizziness is a common complaint. International studies show a prevalence of balance/dizziness problems in 10-30% in the population, and in Norway it is reported that 11 % of the population have symptoms of dizziness and/or imbalance during the last three months. Peripheral vestibular disorders are the most common cause of dizziness presenting in primary care. Most people recover within a few weeks , but it is assumed that about 30% of the patients do not recover fully from an acute peripheral vestibular disorder and develop long-lasting dizziness, often with secondary musculoskeletal pain and anxiety, making it a multifactorial syndrome. It is unknown if these secondary complaints are issues that maintain or exacerbates the dizziness, or if a high level of musculoskeletal and psychological problems may predict future disability.There is a general consensus that exercises labeled as Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) is the most effective treatment for vestibular dysfunction. VR exercises involve eye, head and body movements aiming to provoke dizziness, which is a prerequisite for adaptation and recovery. However, not all patients will recover from VR, and therefore increased attention toward the psychological aspects, targeting how patients think about the dizziness has been addressed. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alone or in addition to VR seems to have limited effect. This present study aims to combine an existing group treatment targeting body awareness and VR with CBT in order to address both the movement provoked dizziness and secondary complaints that patients with long-term dizziness often present with.

Prior to conducting the RCT the feasibility of recruitment procedures, test procedures and the interventions (CBT-VR and BI) will be examined in a feasibility study. The study is judged as feasible if the participants could complete the testing and adhere to the treatment protocols, of they found the intervention appropriate for their complaints, and if the primary outcomes improved following the intervention. Eight participants were planned for the study.

Enrollment: 107 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• The dizziness is provoked or aggravated by head movements, more than 3 months duration og symptoms, the dizziness started acute, understand Norwegian

Exclusion criteria

• Dizziness no longer a problem, other known reasons, than vestibular, for the dizziness (neurological, psychological, or cancer), fluctuating vestibular disease (e.g, ménières disease), scheduled for treatment of/ have had treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo within one month,conditions where fast head movements are contraindicated (e.g. osteoporosis of the neck, whiplash associated injuries), participated in group therapy for dizziness within the past year, unable to attend test and treatment locations

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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107 participants in 2 patient groups

BI + VR + CBT

Experimental group

Description:

Brief Intervention (BI) consists of an individual clinical examination, education/information and advice about being active Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) includes active exercises that provokes dizziness, Balance exercises and body awareness exercises in a group format. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) includes conversation and reflection about factors that may be a barrier to Activity and participation

Treatment:

Behavioral: BI + phone calls

Behavioral: BI + VR + CBT

BI + phone calls

Active Comparator group

Description:

Brief Intervention (BI) consists of an individual clinical examination, education/information and advice about being active Phone Calls as follow-up at week 2 and 6 to reassure

Treatment:

Behavioral: BI + phone calls

Behavioral: BI + VR + CBT