The effect of vestibular rehabilitation by a physical therapist on acute unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders

Abstract

Vestibular rehabilitation was performed for 22 in-patients with acute unilateral vestibular dysfunction from June 2019 to February 2022. Individual vestibular rehabilitation by a physical therapist was started as soon as possible after admission, and the motor function was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). The median time from the onset of the disease to the start of vestibular rehabilitation was five days. There were no adverse events. Both the TUG and FTSST time decreased significantly after vestibular rehabilitation. The patients were divided into two groups − those 40 to 69 years old and those 70 to 89 years old − but no significant differences were observed between the groups. In five patients, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and total trajectory length with eyes closed on posturography were examined. Both values improved with no significant differences. Individual vestibular rehabilitation by a physical therapist improved the motor function of patients with acute unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders.