Treatment of vertigo and postural instability using visual illusions

Full Spectrum of Reported Symptoms of Bilateral Vestibulopathy Needs Further Investigation-A Systematic Review

Objective

To systematically review the symptoms reported by patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) in clinical studies and case reports. This would serve as the first step in establishing a validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for BV.

Methods

A search on symptoms reported by patients with BV was performed in PubMed, and all publications covering these symptoms were included. Exclusion criteria comprised reviews and insufficient details about the frequency of occurrence of symptoms.

Results

1,442 articles were retrieved. 88 studies were included (41 clinical studies, 47 case reports). In consensus, 68 descriptions of symptoms were classified into 6 common and generic symptoms. Frequency of symptoms in clinical studies and case reports were reviewed, respectively; imbalance (91 and 86%), chronic dizziness (58 and 62%), oscillopsia (50 and 70%), and recurrent vertigo (33 and 67%). BV could be accompanied by hearing loss (33 and 43%) and tinnitus (15 and 36%). 15 clinical studies and 10 case reports reported symptoms beyond vestibular and hearing deficits such as limited social activities, depression, concentration, and memory impairment and reduced quality of life in general.

Conclusion

The literature on BV symptomatology mainly focuses on classic symptoms such as imbalance and oscillopsia, while only few report additional symptoms such as cognitive memory impairment and performing dual tasks. In fact, none of the reviewed clinical studies and case reports provided a comprehensive overview of BV symptoms. To develop a validated PROM, qualitative research using semi-structured and unstructured interviews is needed to explore the full spectrum of BV symptoms.

The Long-Term Impact of Neurofeedback on Symptom Burden and Interference in Patients With Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

CONTEXT

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment and may adversely affect quality of life (QOL) for years.

OBJECTIVES

We explored the long-term effects of electroencephalographic neurofeedback (NFB) as a treatment for CIPN and other aspects of QOL.

METHODS

Seventy-one cancer survivors (mean age 62.5; 87% females) with CIPN were randomized to NFB or to a waitlist control (WLC) group. The NFB group underwent 20 sessions of NFB where rewards were given for voluntary changes in electroencephalography. Measurements of pain, cancer-related symptoms, QOL, sleep, and fatigue were obtained at baseline, end of treatment, and one and four months later.

RESULTS

Seventy one participants enrolled in the study. At the end of treatment, 30 in the NFB group and 32 in the WLC group completed assessments; at four months, 23 in the NFB group and 28 in the WLC completed assessments. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant group × time interaction for pain severity. A general linear model determined that the NFB group had greater improvements in worst pain (primary outcome) and other symptoms such as numbness, cancer-related symptom severity, symptom interference, physical functioning, general health, and fatigue compared with the WLC group at the end of treatment and four months (all P < 0.05). Effect sizes were moderate or large for most measures.

CONCLUSION

NFB appears to result in long-term reduction in multiple CIPN symptoms and improved postchemotherapy QOL and fatigue.

Motion-based equilibrium reprocessing therapy a novel treatment method for chronic peripheral vestibulopathies: A pilot study

Rehabilitation for vestibular disease is a safe method to partially alleviate symptoms of vertigo. It was hypothesized that principles of military aviation vestibular desensitization procedures that have a success rate of more than 80% can be extrapolated to chronic vestibular disease as well.The virtual reality motion base computer-assisted rehabilitation environment was used as treatment modality in 17 patients. They were exposed to sinusoidal vertical passive whole body motion in increasing intensity for a maximum of 12 sessions. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was used for assessment of the subjective complaints of vertigo.The median DHI scores of 50 points at baseline dropped to 22 points (P <.001) at follow-up. Post hoc analysis showed significant differences in outcome between measurements at baseline and at the end of the treatment, between baseline and follow-up, but not between end of treatment and follow-up.This pilot study concerning motion-based equilibrium reprocessing therapy (MERT) shows that it is a simple, quick, and well-tolerated treatment option to alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic peripheral vestibulopathies.