Effects of Customized Web Video-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients With Vestibular Hypofunction: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: To investigate the effects of customized web video-based vestibular rehabilitation in patients with chronic vestibular hypofunction.

Study design: This study is a randomized controlled trial.

Setting: The dizziness specialty clinic.

Patients: The participants were diagnosed with chronic vestibular hypofunction.

Interventions: The study used a randomized controlled trial design, in which participants were randomly assigned to either the customized web video-based vestibular rehabilitation or booklet-based vestibular rehabilitation in a 1:1 ratio.

Main outcome measures: Patients were assessed at three time points: before-intervention (baseline), post-intervention completion (6 wk), and follow-up (12 wk). The primary outcome was the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), the secondary outcome was the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and tertiary outcomes included other functional and psychological assessments.

Results: The baseline characteristics of the patients were comparable between the two groups. Statistical analysis revealed a significant time effect for the DGI score ( p < 0.0001). Comparing the post-intervention and follow-up assessments to the baseline assessment, the customized web video-based VR group showed a significant increase in the DGI score. Time × group interaction effects were observed ( F = 5.739, p < 0.01). Both groups showed decreased DHI_total scores when comparing the postintervention and follow-up assessments to the baseline assessment. No serious adverse events were reported during intervention period.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that customized web video-based VR improved DGI compared with booklet-based VR, and the intervention effect was maintained at 6-week follow-up. Additionally, the findings suggested that both interventions improve to a similar extent DHI. Therefore, vestibular rehabilitation with motion visualized by video may be more effective than that with still image by booklet.