Authors: (including presenting author): :
Ng SH, Wong SH, Chow CM
Affiliation: :
Physiotherapy department, United Christian Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Vestibular rehabilitation
Keyword 2: :
Vestibular hypofunction
Keyword 3: :
Virtual reality training
Keyword 4: :
Computerized Dynamic posturography
Introduction: :
Patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) experience profound postural instability and social withdrawal. While conventional clinical tests lack of sensitivity to quantify specific balance deficits, Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) allows precise assessment and training on visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems that contribute to body equilibrium.
Objectives: :
To investigate the impact of tailored vestibular rehabilitation program with CDP through various rehabilitation outcomes on patients with BVH.
Methodology: :
Patients being diagnosed BVH with history of vertigo over 6 months between Dec 2024 and Dec 2025 were recruited. The structured rehab training lasted for six-week. Outcome measures including CDP sensory ratios covering somatosensory, visual and vestibular components, and questionnaires (Numeric Global Rate of Change Scale (NGRCS), Numeric Dizziness Rating Scale (NDRS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Activity-Specific Confidence score (ABC)) were administered before and after training.
Result & Outcome: :
19 patients (14 Females and 5 males) with a mean age of 67.5 years (range 45 to 88) participated in the program. Patients reported an overall improvement in NGRCS by 66%. Significant improvement was also found in NDRS (p< 0.000) and DHI (p=0.006) respectively. CDP results demonstrated statistically improvement in the visual ratio (mean gain:14.29, p=0.001). However significant changes were not found in somatosensory or vestibular ratios, though positive trend was noted in the latter. Conclusion Tailored training via CDP effectively enhances visual compensation and reduces the symptoms associated with BVH. The lack of somatosensory improvement may be attributed to a ceiling effect from high baseline performance. Despite of an upward trend revealed in vestibular ratio, it still remains statistically insignificance which is very likely due to small sample size. Future research with a larger cohort is required to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the recovery of postural stability in BVH population.
