Status of rehabilitation of the dizzy patient in France: focus on vestibular physiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose

This study was carried out within the framework of a research on the non-medicinal managment of the dizzy patient. In order to carry out an inventory of vestibular rehabilitation practices in France, we conducted this research among practitioners recognized in this exercise.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a survey using a thoretical questionnaire submitted to the whole community of french vestibular physiotherapists. We benefited from a statistically signifiant recruitment of this population and we were able to perform a statistical treatment of the data in order to answer questions concerning the current practice of vestibular rehabilitation.

Results

We observed autonomous therapeutic behaviours and the development of the practices of French vestibular physiotherapist which can be considered like a ‘clinician of the vertigo re-education’. Continuing education nevertheless remains heterogeneous, and a national diploma resulting from standardised and adapted teaching does not sanction vestibular rehabilitation.

Conclusion

This study is a ‘snapshot’ of the vestibular physiotherapist profession in France in 2019. It reveals a population of dynamic practitioners questioning their action in terms of health and their role regarding their prescribers, colleagues and other paramedical professions (osteopaths, orthoptists and psychomotricians).

Keywords:

• Vestibular physiotherapy
• vestibular rehabilitation
• French vestibular physiotherapist
• national survey

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the working group of French vestibular physiotherapists C Bats, C Becaud, S Béchet, E Blin,T Dujardin, O Dumas, D Gerbaulet, F Marlière, T Miséré, and V Renaudie for their help in validating the questionnaire prior to sending; to P Bordiga, post PhD in biostatistics, for assistance in statistics; to A Ghobane, computer engineer, for his creation/management of the questionnaire host server and to A Radway, L Robin Rousseau, and C Ferrari for their editorial support.

Ethical approval and informed consent

This study was the subject of a declaration to the physiotherapist French order (CNOMK). An explanatory sheet was provided to each participant informing them that the administration of this questionnaire, the collection of results and their analysis are in accordance with professional ethics. Participation in this questionnaire led to the recording of data with a view to scientific publication. In addition, that participation in this study was delivered in an informed manner and withdrawal was possible at any time without any prejudice (article L. 1122-1 of the Public Health Code). All data have been treated in a strictly anonymous and confidential manner in compliance with the French Data Protection Act (CNIL). Their consultation is only authorised for persons conducting this study or having the necessary rights (representative of the health authorities).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Conceptualisation: FX, JPL, CC. Data curation: FX, EC. Funding acquisition: CC. Investigation: FX, EC, CC. Supervision: CC. Writing – review and editing: FX, EC, MM, JPL, BT, CC

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [FX], upon reasonable request.