Effects of specific rehabilitation for dizziness among patients in primary health care. A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate whether specific rehabilitation for patients with dizziness has any effect on clinical balance measures and/or the apprehension of dizziness measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: Forty-two patients, 50 years or older with dizziness of central or agerelated origin, identified in primary health care.

Method: The patients were randomized to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention included balance training and vestibular rehabilitation in group sessions twice a week for six weeks. All patients were assessed at baseline, after six weeks and after three months with five different balance measures and visual analogue scale.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups comparing results at baseline and after six weeks regarding standing one leg eyes closed (SOLEC) on right foot (p 0.011). Results of SOLEC right foot after three months differed significantly between the groups (p -0.033) as did SOLEC left foot (p -0.035). No difference between the groups were found in the Romberg test, figure of eight, walking heel to toe, ‘stops walking when talking’, standing one leg eyes open or estimating the experience of dizziness measured with visual analogue scale.

Conclusions: Balance training and vestibular rehabilitation improved the ability to stand on one leg with eyes closed in persons with dizziness aged 50 years or over.