Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness (DZO)
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About
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vestibular exercises provide added benefit to balance rehabilitation in older adults with dizziness and normal vestibular function.
Full description
Dizziness is among the most prevalent complaints for which people seek medical help and the incidence increases with advancing age. Dizziness represents a diagnostic and treatment challenge because it is a subjective sensation, refers to a variety of symptoms (unsteadiness, spinning, sense of motion or lightheadedness), and has many potential contributory factors. Dizziness is often related to vestibular disease which is treated effectively with vestibular exercises. Successful management of dizziness is critical because dizziness is a major risk factor for falls in older adults.
There are parallels between the effects of age-related versus disease-related loss of vestibular function - in complaints of dizziness and increased risk for falls. The investigators' question, then, is whether the same exercises that are beneficial for patients with vestibular pathology are beneficial for older patients with dizziness but normal vestibular function.
Older adults with dizziness who have been referred to Audiology for vestibular evaluation will be randomized to receive either standard balance rehabilitation plus placebo eye exercises (CON) or standard balance rehabilitation plus vestibular-specific exercises (GS). Primary outcomes include symptoms, balance-related confidence, dynamic visual acuity, postural stability as measured by sensory organization test, fall risk as measured by dynamic gait index, and gait speed. Assessment will occur at baseline, discharge from physical therapy (PT), 1 and 6 months post-PT.
Enrollment
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Volunteers
Inclusion criteria
- at least 50 years of age
- documented balance or mobility problems
- normal vestibular function, including otolith function
Exclusion criteria
- cognitive impairment
- progressive medical issues that would impact mobility (e.g., Parkinson's disease, cerebellar atrophy)
- dizziness due to orthostatic hypotension or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Trial design
Primary purpose
Allocation
Interventional model
Masking
49 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group
Trial contacts and locations
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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