Investigation of the effects of task-oriented training on balance and gait in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders

This study was planned to examine the effects of task-oriented training on balance and gait in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders (PVB). Twenty-eight patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with PVB were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups as PVB-exercise (n=16) and PVB-control (n=12). Task-oriented training accompanied by physiotherapist in the PVB exercise group, and gaze stabilization training in the form of a home program for the PVB-control group was applied 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Vertigo and dizziness severity and frequency with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS); disability level and quality of life with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI); balance with Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Vestibular Stimulation Tests (VST) using Synapsys® posturography system; fall with the fall rating test using the Synapsys® posturography system and the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC); gait with the BTS G-walk® spatio-temporal gait analysis system and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and the individual's perception of benefit from rehabilitation with the Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire (VRBQ) were assessed. While improvement was seen in VAS, VSS, DHI, SOT, VST frontal (AP) and (ML)-dynamic, sagittal (AP) and (ML)-dynamic, fall criteria, ABC, gait speed and cadence, and VRFA results (p<0.05), there was no change in SOT (ML)- somatosensory, VST frontal (AP) and (ML)-dynamic, sagittal (AP) and (ML)-dynamic and horizontal (AP) and (ML) static and dynamic results and gait speed by looking up and down (p>0.05) of the PVB-exercise group after treatment. While improvement was seen in the severity of dizziness, VSS-vertigo, DHI-functional, SOT (ML)-4, SOT (ML)-5, SOT (ML)-6, SOT (ML)-visual, SOT (ML)-vestibular, VST frontal (AP)-dynamic, frontal (ML)-static and dynamic, sagittal (AP) and (ML)-static, cadence in walking with eyes open and movement-induced dizziness and total results of VRBQ (p<0.05), there was no change in other parameters (p>0.05) of the PVB-control group after treatment. In addition, task-oriented training was found to be more effective in reducing the severity and frequency of vertigo and dizziness, the level of disability and the risk of falling, and improving balance, walking and quality of life. The results of this study show that task-oriented education is an approach that can be included in vestibular rehabilitation approaches in patients with vestibular disorders. Our study will guide the clinical practice of clinicians and researchers.