The Use of Virtual Reality for the Treatment of Visual Vertigo.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Treatment of Visual Vertigo
• Interventions: Other: Virtual environment with no movement; Other: Virtual environment with fast moving objects

• Registration Number: NCT03020654
• Lead Sponsor: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Brief Summary

This study investigates the use of virtual environments presented on a head mounted display for the rehabilitation of those suffering with visual vertigo.

The control group and treatment groups will be presented with two different sets of environments and be given the same head and eye exercises to complete within the environment. They will also be provided with at home exercises to complete.

Detailed Description

Visual vertigo occurs after the balance system suffers damage (e.g after a viral infection such as labyrinthitis). This causes an over-reliance on the eyes to maintain balance which causes disorientation in busy environments such as the supermarket. The treatment involves trying to desensitise the individual to visually stimulating situations. Further head and eye exercises are completed alongside the exposure to overcome the damage done to the balance system.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-01
• Study First Submitted: 2017-01-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-01-11
• Study First Posted: 2017-01-13
• Status Verified: 2017-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-04-12
• Last Update Posted: 2018-04-13
• Primary Completion: 2018-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 18

Inclusion Criteria

• Those who have been diagnosed with visual vertigo and have scored a significant level on the Situational Characteristic Questionnaire (over 0.74 as per Pavlou et al., 2006).

Exclusion Criteria

• Those with or under investigation for epilepsy.
• Those who have been determined to have no or limited balance function in both ears.
• Those with reduced visual acuity that will leave them unable to view the 3D effects of the head mounted display.
• Those with severe mental health disorders e.g. psychosis, paranoid disorders, bipolar disorder or a history of substance abuse.
• Severe neck pain/ restricted movement.
• Previous treatment for visual vertigo.
• Those with an fluctuating vestibular disorder such as Ménière's disease or vestibular migraine.
• Those with untreated Benign Paroxymal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
• Those with a significant brain injury, or head injury that results in a central vestibular disorder.
• Those with an arrhythmia.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control group	Virtual environment with no movement	Virtual environment with no movement graded at grade 0. Participants complete head and eye exercises within the environment using focus points such as benches and lanterns for a six week treatment program.
Treatment group	Virtual environment with fast moving objects	Virtual environment with fast moving objects these are graded in intensity from 1-7. Participants complete head and eye exercises within the environment using focus points such as benches and lanterns for a six week treatment program.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in scoring on the Situational Characteristic Questionnaire	Week 1 and Week 6	A measure of visual vertigo symptom level

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in scoring on the PHQ-9 Questionnaire from week one to six	Week 1 and Week 6	A measure of depression symptom level
Change in scoring on the GAD-7 Questionnaire from week one to six	Week 1 and Week 6	A measure of anxiety symptom level

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Royal Hallamshire Hospital; 🇬🇧 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom