This project is aimed at patients with dizziness believed to be due to conditions in the balance organ in the inner ear (vestibular diseases). Dizziness can be bothersome and influence postural control negatively, and can cause secondary musculoskeletal disorders. Dizziness can also result in reduced work capacity. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the knowledge base regarding symptom burden, prognosis and treatment of prolonged dizziness. The hypothesis is that musculoskeletal pain at baseline is a prognostic factor for prolonged dizziness.
Patients referred to an tertiary otorhinolarynglogical clinic due to dizziness will be invited to participate in the study. The aims are to examine the prevalence, extent and distribution of musculoskeletal pain in patients with prolonged dizziness, and to investigate the associations between musculoskeletal pain, dizziness symptoms, psychological and physical function and health-related quality of life. Furthermore, the aim is to monitor the natural course of the dizziness symptoms and functional status in these patients, and examine risk factors for prolonged disability after 6 and 12 months. The hypothesis is that muscle pain and distress at baseline may be independently associated with prolonged complaints at follow-up. Finally, patients who still are dizzy and have pain after 12 months will be invited to participate in one of two group interventions a) modified vestibular rehabilitation and b) virtual reality / exergaming. The interventions will be feasibility studies with a pre-post design.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
150
The intervention is group based and is a combination of information/education, vestibular exercises (head movements and gaze stability exercises) body awareness exercises and cognitive therapy
The intervention consists of different balance exercises using non-immersive virtual reality
Haukeland University Hospital
Bergen, Norway
Dizziness Handicap Inventory. 0-100 (high score worst)
Baseline status and change in dizziness handicap
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Nordic Pain Questionnaire. 0-10 (high score worst)
Baseline status and change in musculoskeletal pain
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Vertigo Symptom Scale. 0-60 (high score worst)
Baseline status and change in vertigo symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
RAND-12 health related quality of life. 0-60 (high score better)
Baseline status and change in health related quality of life
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. 0-42 (high score worst)
Baseline status and change in anxiety and depression symptoms
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year
Dizziness Catastrophising Scale. 0-52 (high score worst)
Baseline status and change in catastrophising thoughts about the dizziness
Time frame: Baseline, 26 weeks, 1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Posturography. Body sway while standing on a force platform.
Baseline status and change after intervention
Time frame: Baseline,1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Four tests of Body flexibility derived from the Global Physiotherapy Examination- 52
Baseline status and change after intervention
Time frame: Baseline,1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Walking test preferred speed, 6 m (m/s)
Baseline status and change after intervention
Time frame: Baseline,1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Walking test fast speed, 6 m (m/s)
Baseline status and change after intervention
Time frame: Baseline,1 year, through study completion, an average 18 months
Grip Strength
Baseline
Time frame: Baseline
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