Vestibular Rehabilitation - For Whom and How? A Systematic Review
Advances in Physiotherapy
Hansson, E. E. (2007).
Advances in Physiotherapy, 9(3), 106-116.
This systematic review investigates the effects of vestibular rehabilitation on dizziness in individuals with a variety of neurological causes of dizziness (e.g., benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, phobic postrual vertigo, whiplash-associated disorder).
Not stated
Through November 2006
Randomized controlled trials; intervention studies with control group; intervention studies without control group; systematic reviews
71
Overall, the authors found evidence to support the use of vestibular rehabilitation to address symptoms of dizziness for a number of disorders. Specifically, strong evidence was found for vestibular rehabilitation for vestibular hypofunction, Ménière's disease, and multi-sensory dizziness. Moderately strong evidence was found for vestibular rehabilitation after vestibular surgery.
There was insufficient evidence to support vestibular rehabilitation for individuals with: neurological causes of dizziness, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, phobic postural dizziness, dizziness from whiplash-associated disorders, and migraine-associated dizziness. However, the authors indicate that the results are "promising enough for recommending vestibular treatment for these groups of patients" (p. 113). Further research is warranted.
