Vestibular rehabilitation of patients with vestibular hypofunction or withbenign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Since the initial introduction of exercises as a treatment for patients wit h vestibular deficits, there have been numerous clinical reports on the ben efits of treatment. Clinical reports, however, are of limited use as a basi s for treatment because, without a control group, they offer only interesti ng descriptions of the patient populations. Fortunately, several prospectiv e, randomized studies on the treatment of patients with vestibular hypofunc tion or with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo have been published recen tly, adding to the small number of previous publications. This review will examine the information provided by those studies. Advances in the use of o utcome measures. assessment of otolith function and treatment of related ba lance problems are also presented. Curr Opin Neurol 13:39-43, (C) 2000 Lipp incott Williams & Wilkins.