Vestibular rehabilitation in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective

In 2017, the Committee for Classification of Vestibular Disorders of the Bárány Society unified four dizziness disorders under the definition of persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD). Currently, the efficacy of vestibular training (VR) in treating patients with PPPD is still under debate. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate the possible clinical application of VR alone or in combination with other therapy in patients with PPPD.

Methods

Electronic databases searched in May 2021 were PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the data selection was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR extension for scoping reviews.

Results

Electronic searches identified 41 studies and after the selection process 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. We reported a narrative summary of results and presented the overall clinical parameters and outcomes of all included studies in a tabular format.

Conclusion

An accurate instrumental assessment of the vestibular function is needed to guide the clinical reasoning in the management of patients with PPPD. Considering the lack of RCTs, a consensus is needed to develop a shared and robust framework to find the best rehabilitative treatment for individuals with PPPD.

Keywords:

• Persistent postural perceptual dizziness
• vestibular rehabilitation
• vestibular assessment
• physical therapy

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.