Clinical outcomes for various benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) diagnoses in adolescents and young adults with recent concussions

Objective

Determine how positive BPPV findings in adolescents and young adults following concussion impacted the total number of treatments required and time until discharge.

Setting

Outpatient physical therapy clinic.

Participants

167 individuals who were diagnosed with concussion or brain injury.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Main measures

Total number of treatments and days until discharge were compared for various BPPV diagnoses (anterior canal, posterior canal, horizontal canal, and combination) and for individuals with and without BPPV.

Results

Fifty-one out of 167 cases (30.54%) were diagnosed with BPPV. The total number of treatments provided was statistically different across BPPV diagnoses (P = .004). However, days until discharge were not statistically different between BPPV diagnoses (P = .28). There was no significant difference between time to discharge between those with BPPV (median = 21 days, range = 7–126) and those without (median = 28 days, range = 7–84 days; P = .23, r = 0.09).

Conclusion

To optimize outcomes, including symptom resolution and return to sport and/or work, early identification of BPPV and subsequent intervention should be prioritized for individuals who have concussion symptoms that suggest vestibular dysfunction.