We report our assessment of objective findings as a method of evaluation of the effect of treatment of vestibular vertigo (Gifu University method). The following should be investigated, (1) effect of treatment on vertigo, (2) effect of treatment on damage to the inner ear, (3) effect of treatment on recurrent attacks of vertigo, and (4) objective effect of treatment on improvement of activities of daily living.
We reviewed the period of evaluation after treatment of recurrent attacks of vertigo, and formulated a numeric equation for the number of cluster attacks.
The effect of treatment on recurrent attacks of vertigo was evaluated by comparing the number of attacks a month after the start of treatment with the number before treatment.
Twenty-six patients with Meniere's disease were questioned about the number of attacks of vertigo and the effect of treatment one month, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after the start of treatment. The results indicated improvement after one month of treatment in 11 patients (42%), after 6 months in 16 patients (62%), and after 12 months in 19 patients (73%). After 24 months of treatment, the figures were unchanged. A period of at least 12 months is necessary to evaluate the effect of treatment on recurrent attacks of vertigo.
In patients with cluster attacks of vertigo, the effect of treatment must be evaluated differently. The duration of a cluster and the number of attacks in a cluster must be compared before and after treatment.
