Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness in Geriatric Patients
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Dizziness
- Sponsor
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Enrollment
- 39
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Dynamic Gait Index
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 11 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop effective exercise intervention to reduce dizziness and fall risk in older adults with non-specific dizziness. We hypothesize that the use of vestibular exercises can reduce dizziness and improve gaze and postural stability in older persons.
Detailed Description
Community dwelling older individuals who present to a specialty dizziness clinic (Atlanta VAMC or Emory University) with a primary complaint of dizziness will be recruited to participate in this study. Before beginning the study, the presence of normal vestibular function will be measured directly using standard vestibular function tests. Individuals will be randomly assigned to the vestibular exercise group (VR) or to the control group (CON). Data will be collected prior to the initiation of physical therapy and at the completion of the 6-week intervention period. The VR group will perform vestibular exercises plus balance and gait exercises. The CON group will perform saccadic eye movements without targets against a blank wall, as well as balance and gait exercises. The balance and gait exercises for each group will be based on identified impairments and functional limitations, as is the standard of care in physical therapy. All subjects within a group will follow the same exercise progression for the vestibular or eye movement exercises. Subjects will be seen in the clinic on a weekly basis to review and modify the exercises according to a standard protocol and to reinforce compliance.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Patients must be at least 60 years of age, seeking medical care due to dizziness and have normal vestibular function based on results of the clinical examination, rotary chair and/or caloric tests.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Abnormal vestibular function based on results of clinical examination, rotary chair and/or caloric tests.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Dynamic Gait Index
Time Frame: 6 weeks
Fall risk was determined using the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). A maximum total score of 24 is possible and a total score of \< 20 indicates risk for falling.
Secondary Outcomes
- Dynamic Visual Acuity(6 weeks)