Online Intervention Could Help Those with Chronic Vestibular Syndrome

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

An internet-based rehabilitation program seems to help people with a chronic vestibular syndrome (e.g. vertigo), finds a study in The BMJ.

Over 300 adults aged 50 and older in the Netherlands with a chronic vestibular syndrome were randomized to usual care, internet-based vestibular rehabilitation (VR), or internet-based VR plus physiotherapy support. The internet-based program involved weekly online sessions and exercises done twice daily for 6 weeks. Physiotherapy support included two home visits from a physiotherapist.

After 6 months, patients in the stand-alone VR group and those in the VR plus physiotherapy group had fewer vestibular symptoms than usual-care patients, with differences that were clinically meaningful. Dizziness and anxiety scores were also improved in the VR groups.

The authors conclude: "Online VR is an easily accessible form of treatment, with the potential to improve care for an undertreated group of patients in general practice."