Res Vestib Sci.  2020 Dec;19(4):127-132. 10.21790/rvs.2020.19.4.127.

Satisfaction and Effect Research on Virtual Reality-Based Vestibular Exercise for the Elderly Patients with Chronic Unilateral Vestibulopathy

• Choi KD
• Choi SY

• KMID: 2510948
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2020.19.4.127

Abstract

Objectives
To survey the satisfaction of customized vestibular exercise using virtual reality system with mobile head-mounted display (HMD) in the elderly patients with chronic unilateral vestibulopathy, we analyzed questionnaires before and after exercise.
Methods
Sixteen patients (male, 6; median age, 69 years [interquartile range, 65–75 years]) with chronic unilateral vestibulopathy were prospectively enrolled from March 1 to December 31 in 2018. They exercised once a week for 20 to 25 minutes for 4 weeks using the HMD inserted the virtual reality exercise program. Dizziness visual analogue scale (DAS), Korean vestibular disorders activities of daily living scale (ADL), and visual vertigo analogue scale (VVAS) were performed before and after the exercise. After all of the program, the patients were surveyed to measure the satisfaction for the tool and effect of exercise.
Results
DAS, ADL, and VVAS were significantly improved after the vestibular exercise. No one answered unsatisfactory, and at least 62.5% of the patients satisfied the used tool and exercise program. The patients of 50% answered that they satisfied or very satisfied to the efficacy of exercise program. The patients who recovered VVAS more after the exercise were more satisfied to our tools and efficacy of exercise program.
Conclusions
Customized vestibular exercise using virtual reality system with HMD can not only improve dizziness and quality of life, but also made more satisfied to the elderly patients with chronic unilateral vestibulopathy.

Keyword

Customized vestibular exercise; Vestibular rehabilitation; Chronic unilateral vestibulopathy; Virtual reality; Head-mounted display; 맞춤형전정운동; 전정재활; 만성 일측전정장애; 가상현실; 두부탑재형 디스플레이