The Effect Of Vestibular Rehabilitation On Kinesiophobia And Balance With Individuals Who Has Vestibular Hypofunction

Overview

Vestibular hypofunction is a disease which emerge through a partial or total loss on a vestibular organ or vestibular nerve. It can be seen unilateral or bilateral. Aim of the study is to examine effects of vestibular rehabilitation on kinesiophobia, quality of life, dynamic vision acuity and balance. The study was conducted with patients diagnosed with vestibular hypofunction. 30 patients who are in the ages between 18 and 65 have participated in the study. Exercise programs has given to patients to do at home. Patients were observed every two weeks in the hospital. The following exercises were done with the patients: both sitting and standing gaze stabilization exercises, neck joint range of motion exercises, 20 minutes walks outside, walking backwards both open and closed eyes, and walking on tandem both open and closed eyes. Exercise program was applied for 8 weeks. Before and after the treatment, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short form in Turkish, Dynamic Visual Acuity Test, Balance Tests, Unterberger Test, Visual Analog Scale to measure dizziness and fatigue, for verticality and horizontality perception Subjective Visual Vertical and Subjective Visual Horizontal tests have been applied. As a result of the study, statistical correlations have been found except semi-tandem posture test with eyes open and Romberg's test both with eyes open and closed. It can be said that vestibular rehabilitation has improved quality of life, balance, dynamic vision acuity and overcame kinesiophobia on the patients.

Vestibular rehabilitation consisted of a total of 4 sessions, rearranged every 15 days. These exercises were prepared gradually to increase the vestibulo-ocular reflex and vestibulospinal reflex. The following exercises were done with the patients: both sitting and standing gaze stabilization exercises, neck joint range of motion exercises, 20 minutes walks outside, walking backward both open-and-closed eyes, and walking in tandem with both open-and-closed eyes. The therapist gave the patients a home exercise program. It was emphasized that the exercises should be applied as 10 repetitions. After the session, the exercises shown to the patients were explained in written form and given as home exercises. They were also asked to do home exercises 3 times a day, 10 repetitions, for 15 days. Evaluation of the patients was done at the beginning of the first session and the 4th session. Thus, 3 separate exercise sessions and a home exercise program were applied to the patients.