BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a very common symptom and is usually managed in primary care. Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness is a simple treatment that may be suitable for primary care delivery, but its effectiveness has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-delivered vestibular rehabilitation in primary care for patients with chronic dizziness. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: 20 general practices in southern England. PATIENTS: 170 adult patients with chronic dizziness who were randomly assigned to vestibular rehabilitation (n = 83) or usual medical care (n = 87). INTERVENTION: Each patient received one 30- to 40-minute appointment with a primary care nurse. The nurse taught the patient exercises to be carried out daily at home, with the support of a treatment booklet. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measures were baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment of self-reported spontaneous and provoked symptoms of dizziness, dizziness-related quality of life, and objective measurement of postural stability with eyes open and eyes closed. RESULTS: At 3 months, improvement on all primary outcome measures in the vestibular rehabilitation group was significantly greater than in the usual medical care group; this improvement was maintained at 6 months. Of 83 treated patients, 56 (67%) reported clinically significant improvement compared with 33 of 87 (38%) usual care patients (relative risk, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.31 to 2.42]). LIMITATIONS: Psychological elements of the therapy may have contributed to outcomes, and the treatment may be effective only for well-motivated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular rehabilitation delivered by nurses in general practice improves symptoms, postural stability, and dizziness-related handicap in patients with chronic dizziness.
BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a very common symptom and is usually managed in primary care. Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness is a simple treatment that may be suitable for primary care delivery, but its effectiveness has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-delivered vestibular rehabilitation in primary care for patients with chronic dizziness. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: 20 general practices in southern England. PATIENTS: 170 adult patients with chronic dizziness who were randomly assigned to vestibular rehabilitation (n = 83) or usual medical care (n = 87). INTERVENTION: Each patient received one 30- to 40-minute appointment with a primary care nurse. The nurse taught the patient exercises to be carried out daily at home, with the support of a treatment booklet. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measures were baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment of self-reported spontaneous and provoked symptoms of dizziness, dizziness-related quality of life, and objective measurement of postural stability with eyes open and eyes closed. RESULTS: At 3 months, improvement on all primary outcome measures in the vestibular rehabilitation group was significantly greater than in the usual medical care group; this improvement was maintained at 6 months. Of 83 treated patients, 56 (67%) reported clinically significant improvement compared with 33 of 87 (38%) usual care patients (relative risk, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.31 to 2.42]). LIMITATIONS: Psychological elements of the therapy may have contributed to outcomes, and the treatment may be effective only for well-motivated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular rehabilitation delivered by nurses in general practice improves symptoms, postural stability, and dizziness-related handicap in patients with chronic dizziness.
Authors: Jeff G Zhao; Jay F Piccirillo; Edward L Spitznagel; Dorina Kallogjeri; Joel A Goebel Journal: Otol Neurotol Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 2.311
Authors: Courtney D Hall; Susan J Herdman; Susan L Whitney; Stephen P Cass; Richard A Clendaniel; Terry D Fife; Joseph M Furman; Thomas S D Getchius; Joel A Goebel; Neil T Shepard; Sheelah N Woodhouse Journal: J Neurol Phys Ther Date: 2016-04 Impact factor: 3.649
Authors: Kjersti Wilhelmsen; Anne Elisabeth Ljunggren; Frederik Goplen; Geir Egil Eide; Stein Helge G Nordahl Journal: BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord Date: 2009-05-16
Authors: Lucy Yardley; Sarah Kirby; Fiona Barker; Paul Little; James Raftery; Debbie King; Anna Morris; Mark Mullee Journal: BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord Date: 2009-12-29