Res Vestib Sci.  2010 Jun;9(2):58-63.

Effect of Elderly Organized Vestibular Rehabilitation for Presbystasis

• Kim TH
• Kim BG
• Heo CY
• Lee JS
• Park IS
• Kim YB
• Jang TW
• Ahn SK

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Recently, The number of patients who have been complaining of the vertigo or dizziness has been increasing due to rapid growth of the elderly population and senile change. Aging is associated with decreased balance abilities, resulting in an increased risk of fall. The purpose of this study is to analyze the result of elderly organized vestibular rehabilitation therapy for presbystasis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A prospective study was performed on elderly population over sixty-five years. 148 dizzy patients who were admitted to Hallym University Medical Center. We recruited 64 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of presbystasis and treatment of rehabilitation. They were asked to complete the Korean vestibular disorders activities of daily living scale (K-VADL) for the functional aspect before and two to twelve weeks after elderly organized vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The result was analyzed by statistical methods.
RESULTS
The K-VADL scores were decreased in patient of presbystasis compared with first questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences in the K-VADL scores between before and after rehabilitation therapy.
CONCLUSION
Most patients can effectively and safely utilize the modified vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Our results suggest that the vestibular rehabilitation therapy could provide a recovery for dizzy symptoms in presbystasis.

Keyword

Presbystasis; Vestibular rehabilitation

MeSH Terms

Academic Medical Centers
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aging
Dizziness
Humans
Prospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vertigo