Affiliations: [a] Department of Otolaryngology, County General and Veterans Hospital Vukovar, Zupanijska, Vukovar, Croatia
| [b] Department of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Crkvena, Osijek, Croatia
| [c] Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Osijek, J. Huttlera, Osijek, Croatia
| [d] Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera, Osijek, Croatia
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Anamarija Sestak, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, County General and Veterans Hospital Vukovar, Zupanijska 35, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia. Tel.: +385 32 452 111; Fax: +385 32 452 002; E-mail: annamarijasestak@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Only a few studies in the literature demonstrate the effect of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) on all vestibular receptor organs. Furthermore, very little evidence of the effect of VR on isolated otolith dysfunction (IOD) is available. OBJECTIVE:The study aimed to investigate the effect of VR on all vestibular receptor organs in patients with different types of unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH). METHODS:We enrolled 80 patients with three different types of UVH; combined and isolated loss of semicircular canal and otolith organ function. All patients performed a 12-week customized program of VR and received a full battery of vestibular function tests, before and after the VR. The DHI and SF-36 were performed before, after 6 weeks, and 12 weeks of the VR. RESULTS:Parameters of the caloric test, video head impulse test, ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were significantly improved after VR. A total of 59 (74%) patients fully recovered, with no significant difference in recovery regarding the type (p = 0.13) and stage of UVH (p = 0.13). All patients reported significantly lower disability and a better quality of life after the VR based on the DHI and SF-36 score. CONCLUSIONS:Vestibular rehabilitation has a positive effect on the recovery of all vestibular receptor organs and it should be used in patients with IOD.
