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Abstract
The aim of this trial was to evaluate long-term (after six months) effects of successful vestibular rehabilitation in patients with acute unilateral vestibular loss (AUVL) in relation to static and dynamic balance, hypertension, headache, disturbed sleep and physical exercise habits. A group of 42 patients were included. For comparison, an age and gender matched healthy reference group was used, consisting of 56 subjects. The assessments were static and dynamic balance performances with the Romberg test, a sharpened Romberg test (SREC), standing on one leg with eyes open/closed (SOLEO/SOLEC) and a 10-m walking test, with and without head movements. A questionnaire concerning the occurrence of hypertension, headache, disturbed sleep and physical exercise habits was also administered. The AUVL group walked significantly slower and took shorter steps (p<0.001) compared to the subjects in the reference group. Significantly impaired performances were also found in the AUVL group in SREC (p<0.01) and SOLEC (p<0.05) compared to the reference group. A significantly larger proportion of patients with AUVL (26%) used anti-hypertensive medication compared to the reference group (4%) (p<0.01). This study demonstrated that AUVL patients, after vestibular rehabilitation and compensation, still have long-term static and dynamic balance problems. We have also found that patients who have suffered from AUVL have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to a reference group.