Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Vestibular Rehabilitation Affects Vestibular Asymmetry among Patients with Fall-Related Wrist Fractures - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Ekvall-Hansson, Eva LU ; Dahlberg, Leif LU and Magnusson, Måns LU orcid (2015) In Gerontology 61(4). p.310-318
Abstract
Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified as a risk factor for falls and vestibular asymmetry is often found among patients with fall-related fractures. An option to prevent fall-related fractures may be to identify patients with vestibular asymmetry and to improve their balance and asymmetry by exercise. Objective: To examine whether vestibular rehabilitation improves vestibular function, balance and self-rated health among patients with fall-related wrist fractures. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (65 women) with fall-related wrist fractures, mean age 72 years (54-89) participated in this randomized controlled trial. The following tests and measurements were performed: head shake test... (More)
Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified as a risk factor for falls and vestibular asymmetry is often found among patients with fall-related fractures. An option to prevent fall-related fractures may be to identify patients with vestibular asymmetry and to improve their balance and asymmetry by exercise. Objective: To examine whether vestibular rehabilitation improves vestibular function, balance and self-rated health among patients with fall-related wrist fractures. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (65 women) with fall-related wrist fractures, mean age 72 years (54-89) participated in this randomized controlled trial. The following tests and measurements were performed: head shake test to evaluate vestibular asymmetry as primary outcome measure, five clinical balance measures, a force plate to measure postural sway, a tuning fork to measure vibration and the EQ5D questionnaire to measure self-rated health. The intervention comprised group-based vestibular rehabilitation sessions conducted twice a week for 9 weeks. Results: Nystagmus occurred in the head shake test in 65% (44 of 68) of the patients, indicating vestibular asymmetry. More patients in the intervention group (6 of 21) than in the control group (0 of 23) changed from having nystagmus in the head shake test at baseline (indicating vestibular asymmetry) to not having nystagmus at follow-up, and more patients in the control group (3 of 9) than in the intervention group (0 of 3) changed from not having nystagmus at baseline to have nystagmus at follow-up (p < 0.00). No other changes occurred between the two groups between baseline and follow-up. At baseline, patients with vestibular asymmetry had more balance deficits and increased postural sway compared to patients without (p = 0.00-0.05). Conclusion: Group sessions with vestibular rehabilitation twice a week for 9 weeks affected the occurrence of vestibular asymmetry positively among patients having vestibular asymmetry. Patients with vestibular asymmetry had more balance deficits and increased postural sway than patients without vestibular asymmetry. Vestibular assessment is important, and, in patients with diagnosed vestibular asymmetry, vestibular rehabilitation may prove beneficial on balance and possibly reduce the risk of future falls. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Gerontology
volume
61
issue
4
pages
310 - 318
publisher
Karger
external identifiers
  • pmid:25471256
  • wos:000356948800003
  • scopus:84937519468
  • pmid:25471256
ISSN
1423-0003
DOI
10.1159/000366556
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
15c14a54-2401-4ef2-a1eb-057af777f8a4 (old id 4912764)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25471256?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 09:59:56
date last changed
2022-03-04 07:05:13
@article{15c14a54-2401-4ef2-a1eb-057af777f8a4,
  abstract     = {{Background: Fall-related fractures are an increasing problem for society. Dizziness is identified as a risk factor for falls and vestibular asymmetry is often found among patients with fall-related fractures. An option to prevent fall-related fractures may be to identify patients with vestibular asymmetry and to improve their balance and asymmetry by exercise. Objective: To examine whether vestibular rehabilitation improves vestibular function, balance and self-rated health among patients with fall-related wrist fractures. Methods: Sixty-eight persons (65 women) with fall-related wrist fractures, mean age 72 years (54-89) participated in this randomized controlled trial. The following tests and measurements were performed: head shake test to evaluate vestibular asymmetry as primary outcome measure, five clinical balance measures, a force plate to measure postural sway, a tuning fork to measure vibration and the EQ5D questionnaire to measure self-rated health. The intervention comprised group-based vestibular rehabilitation sessions conducted twice a week for 9 weeks. Results: Nystagmus occurred in the head shake test in 65% (44 of 68) of the patients, indicating vestibular asymmetry. More patients in the intervention group (6 of 21) than in the control group (0 of 23) changed from having nystagmus in the head shake test at baseline (indicating vestibular asymmetry) to not having nystagmus at follow-up, and more patients in the control group (3 of 9) than in the intervention group (0 of 3) changed from not having nystagmus at baseline to have nystagmus at follow-up (p &lt; 0.00). No other changes occurred between the two groups between baseline and follow-up. At baseline, patients with vestibular asymmetry had more balance deficits and increased postural sway compared to patients without (p = 0.00-0.05). Conclusion: Group sessions with vestibular rehabilitation twice a week for 9 weeks affected the occurrence of vestibular asymmetry positively among patients having vestibular asymmetry. Patients with vestibular asymmetry had more balance deficits and increased postural sway than patients without vestibular asymmetry. Vestibular assessment is important, and, in patients with diagnosed vestibular asymmetry, vestibular rehabilitation may prove beneficial on balance and possibly reduce the risk of future falls. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.}},
  author       = {{Ekvall-Hansson, Eva and Dahlberg, Leif and Magnusson, Måns}},
  issn         = {{1423-0003}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{310--318}},
  publisher    = {{Karger}},
  series       = {{Gerontology}},
  title        = {{Vestibular Rehabilitation Affects Vestibular Asymmetry among Patients with Fall-Related Wrist Fractures - A Randomized Controlled Trial.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000366556}},
  doi          = {{10.1159/000366556}},
  volume       = {{61}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}