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 ]

Fall risk was determined using the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). A maximum total score of 24 is possible and a total score of < 20 indicates risk for falling.


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 ]

Visual acuity during head movement (dynamic visual acuity, DVA) was measured using customized computerized software. DVA is measured in Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR). Participants identified letters while turning the head from side to side between 120 and 180 deg/s. DVA, the difference in acuity between head stationary and moving, is reported as the average of rightward and leftward scores; higher scores indicate worse visual acuity.


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