Patient Experiences of a Group Intervention Integrating Vestibular Rehabilitation, Body Awareness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Long-Lasting Dizziness: A Focus Group Study.

Objective: Long-lasting dizziness is a distressing and disabling condition frequently accompanied by psychological and physical discomfort, and if untreated, could evolve into a complex, self-perpetuating condition challenging treatment. A treatment approach addressing psychological, physical, and social ailments in connection with long-term dizziness has been developed. The objective of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions of participants with long-lasting dizziness who have engaged in a group-based intervention approach that combines principles from vestibular rehabilitation (VR), body awareness therapy (BA), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in primary care.

Methods: The study is rooted in an interpretative approach. Fifteen participants, 10 women and 5 men, aged 38 to 71 years, were interviewed in 3 focus groups. Data were analyzed by systematic text condensation, a 4-step thematic cross-case strategy suitable for exploratory investigations.

Results: Four main themes emerged from the analyses: 1) To share and feel understood when struggling with dizziness, 2) The exercises: body perceptions and challenging one's own limits to control dizziness, 3) Increased self-knowledge helps to process anxiety and challenge avoidance behavior, 4) Changing habits is hard work, but necessary to recover from dizziness.

Conclusions: This novel group-based VR-BA-CBT treatment for individuals with long-lasting dizziness offered valuable peer support, shared learning, and learning in action providing new understanding. The VR-BA-CBT treatment includes a comprehensive and holistic approach addressing physical, psychological, and social challenges.

Impact: Through knowledge about dizziness triggers, participants learn new strategies to confront previously avoided activities. The approach holds promise to be implemented in primary care physical therapy settings.