Treatment of vertigo and postural instability using visual illusions

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 128; no. 11; pp. 1005 - 1007
• Main Authors: van Kerckhoven, G, Mert, A, De Ru, J A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Aged; Case reports; Clinical Records; Dizziness - physiopathology; Dizziness - therapy; Equilibrium; Gait; Gentamicins - adverse effects; Humans; Iatrogenesis; Illusions - physiology; Male; Motion sickness; Postural Balance - drug effects; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture; Rehabilitation; Thoracic surgery; Treatment Outcome; Vertigo; Vertigo - chemically induced; Vertigo - therapy; Virtual reality; Visual Perception; Walking; Vestibular Diseases; Head Impulse Test; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy; Postural Balance
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215114002254

Ototoxicity caused by medication can lead to debilitating symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo and postural instability. There is no current 'gold standard' treatment available. A 79-year-old male, with bilateral loss of vestibular function caused by gentamicin toxicity after surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis, complained of dizziness, difficulty in walking and an increased risk of falling. Physical examination showed a positive head thrust test suggesting bilateral loss of vestibular function. The patient underwent a specific motion-based virtual reality enhanced protocol for peripheral vestibular disease. He showed a great improvement, with a 50 per cent reduction in his Dizziness Handicap Inventory score. Computer-aided rehabilitation programmes might represent an important advance in gait and posture training.