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  • Title: Efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation therapy in reducing falls.
    Author: Macias JD, Massingale S, Gerkin RD.
    Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg; 2005 Sep; 133(3):323-5. PubMed ID: 16143174.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation therapy in reducing fall risk in an at-risk population. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective chart review of 70 patients older than 50 years of age at risk for falls treated at a tertiary vestibular therapy center. Fall risk was assessed by the Berg balance test. RESULTS: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in Berg balance test scores (pretherapy, 36.8, to posttherapy, 46.4). Referring diagnosis, age, and gender had no impact on outcome. CONCLUSION: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy significantly reduces the risk of falls in elderly at-risk patients with improvement measured at the termination of therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy plays an important preventive role in reducing falls in at-risk elderly patients, with beneficial effects seen at termination of therapy.
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