Vestibular rehabilitation in acute central vestibulopathy: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two different rehabilitation programs in acute central vestibulopathy secondary to posterior circulation stroke. METHOD: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 25 patients with posterior circulation stroke. Patients were instructed in routine balance and mobility exercises during the acute hospitalization period. At discharge, patients were assigned to either a rehabilitation or home exercise group. The home exercise group was instructed to perform the same exercise program provided in the course of hospitalization period. The rehabilitation group was randomized into the visual feedback posturography training or vestibular rehabilitation group. The balance and gait performance were assessed with clinical and objective measurements before and after 6 weeks of training. RESULTS: The balance and gait scores were significantly improved in both rehabilitation groups and in the home exercise group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of post-treatment values (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The improvements of balance and gait function in rehabilitation groups did not differ from the home exercise group. Rehabilitation programs were equally effective to improve the recovery in acute central vestibulopathy.