Clinical Trial: Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness in Geriatric Patients
Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness in Geriatric Patients
Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to develop effective exercise intervention to reduce dizziness and fall risk in older adults with non-specific dizziness. We hypothesize that the use of vestibular exercises can reduce dizziness and improve gaze and postural stability in older persons.
Detailed Summary:
Community dwelling older individuals who present to a specialty dizziness clinic (Atlanta VAMC or Emory University) with a primary complaint of dizziness will be recruited to participate in this study. Before beginning the study, the presence of normal vestibular function will be measured directly using standard vestibular function tests. Individuals will be randomly assigned to the vestibular exercise group (VR) or to the control group (CON). Data will be collected prior to the initiation of physical therapy and at the completion of the 6-week intervention period.
The VR group will perform vestibular exercises plus balance and gait exercises. The CON group will perform saccadic eye movements without targets against a blank wall, as well as balance and gait exercises. The balance and gait exercises for each group will be based on identified impairments and functional limitations, as is the standard of care in physical therapy. All subjects within a group will follow the same exercise progression for the vestibular or eye movement exercises. Subjects will be seen in the clinic on a weekly basis to review and modify the exercises according to a standard protocol and to reinforce compliance.
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Current Primary Outcome: Dynamic Gait Index [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]
Original Primary Outcome: 1) Visual analog scale measure of subjective complaints of dizziness; 2) Sensory organization test as a measure of postural stability; 3) Dynamic Gait Index as a measure of fall risk.
Current Secondary Outcome: Dynamic Visual Acuity [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]
Original Secondary Outcome: 1)Visual acuity during head movement as a measure of gaze stability; 2) Activity-specific Balance Confidence; 3) Preferred gait speed; 4) Demographic data about fall history, age, sex, medical conditions.
Information By: VA Office of Research and Development
Dates:
Date Received: January 10, 2006
Date Started: April 2006
Date Completion:
Last Updated: December 5, 2014
Last Verified: December 2014