Complementary/Alternative Medicine for Abnormality in the Vestibular (Balance) System

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Vestibular Neuronitis; Vestibulopathy

• Registration Number: NCT00032383
• Lead Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the relative merits of vestibular rehabilitation and Tai Chi for patients with inner ear (vestibular) disorders.

Detailed Description

It is proposed a randomized, blinded, controlled trial comparing vestibular rehabilitation (VR) to Tai Chi (TC). Our overall goal is to explore whether, and if so, how TC can improve functional, dynamic stability in persons with vestibulopathy (VSP). It is hypothesized that the TC group will demonstrate significantly greater improvement in performing functional activities than the VR group.

Sixty subjects will be randomly assigned into either TC instruction or VR. Both treatment groups will receive identical duration treatment once a week for 10 weeks, with supplemental home exercises. It is hypothesized that 1) TC improves whole-body dynamic locomotor stability more than does VR; 2) TC improves gait coordination during planned and unplanned obstacle encounters more than does VR; 3) TC improves whole-body speed related movement control more than does VR.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2001-04
• Study First Submitted: 2002-03-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2002-03-21
• Study First Posted: 2002-03-22
• Study Completion: 2003-04
• Status Verified: 2006-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2007-01-19
• Last Update Posted: 2007-01-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital Biomotion Laboratory; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States