The Effects of the Vestibular Rehabilitation on the Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Recurrence Rate in Patients with Otolith Dysfunction

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Although repositioning maneuvers have shown remarkable success rate in treatments of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the high recurrence rate of BPPV has been an important issue. The aims of present study were to examine the effects of otolith dysfunction on BPPV recurrence rate and to describe the effect of vestibular rehabilitation exercises on BPPV recurrence in BPPV patients with concomitant otolith dysfunction.

Subjects and Methods

Forty-five BPPV patients included in this study (three groups). Patients in group 1 had no otolith dysfunction and patients in groups 2 and 3 had concomitant otolith dysfunction. Otolith dysfunction was determined with ocular/cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP and cVEMP) abnormalities. Epley’s maneuver was performed for the patients in all groups but patients in group 3 also received a 2-month vestibular rehabilitation program (habituation and otolith exercises).

Results

This study showed that BPPV recurrent rate was significantly higher in patients with otolith dysfunction in comparison to the group 1 (p<0.05). Vestibular rehabilitation resulted in BPPV recurrence rate reduction. Utricular dysfunction showed significant correlation with BPPV recurrence rate.

Conclusions

Otolith dysfunction can increase BPPV recurrence rate. Utricular dysfunction in comparison to saccular dysfunction leads to more BPPV recurrence rate. Vestibular rehabilitation program including habituation and otolith exercises may reduce the chance of BPPV recurrence.

Introduction

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder that causes true vertigo [1]. It occurs spontaneously in many patients, so identification of the underlying cause may always not be possible [2]. The most common causes of BPPV include head trauma, labyrinthitis, and anterior vestibular artery ischemia, prolonged bed rest [3] and vestibular neuritis [4]. It is characterized by brief episodes of true vertigo induced by changing the head position in the plane of the involved semicircular canals. The diagnosis is confirmed by a positioning test called Dix-Hallpike maneuver which reveals vertigo and/or nystagmus. There are two forms of BPPV including canalithiasis and cupulolithiasis [2]. BPPV most commonly affects the posterior canal. However, it may affect any of the semicircular canals and any combinations of the multiple canals simultaneously [5].

The displacement of the otoconia particles from utricle to the semicircular canal is the most convincing theory to explain BPPV symptoms [6]. This theory is a basic concept for BPPV treatment approaches [7]. Canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) or Epley’s maneuver is the most commonly used approach and in 70-100% of instances is successful [8]. The effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver as the most successfully used maneuver in the treatment of posterior canal BPPV (PC-BPPV) has been shown in the previous studies [8].

Although CRM has a high success rate in BPPV treatment, sometimes BPPV show recurrence [9]. The recurrence of BPPV is an important issue. It leads to common symptoms of BPPV, lack of patients’ trust in the medical team and unnecessary evaluations. It has been reported that recurrent BPPV is not rare [10]. Studies have shown that most of the recurrences occur in the 6 to 12 months after the first attack [11]. Different studies have reported variety of recurrence rate for BPPV from 13.5% [12,13] to 20-30% and 50% [14].

Otolithic signals play an important role in the perception of gravity, uprightness, postural control and linear acceleration. In BPPV, otoconia are detached from the utricle and this may affect otolith function as well [15]. This detachment may be due to a degenerative process in otolith organs [6] that may lead to the high possibility of BPPV, its resistance to treatment and recurrence.

Recently, through relatively new tests of otolith function including cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), we are able to detect otolith dysfunctions. The cVEMP evaluates saccule and inferior vestibular nerve. The oVEMP is presumably originated from the utricle and superior vestibular nerve. It has been shown that utricular dysfunction and oVEMP abnormalities are highly correlated [16].

We assumed that otolith dysfunction might be a risk factor for BPPV recurrence. It is assumed that habituation rehabilitation might be beneficial in patients with BPPV who suffer from otolith dysfunction and might reduce BPPV recurrence rate. Therefore, the aims of the present study were: 1) to examine the effects of otolith dysfunction on recurrence of BPPV and 2) to describe the effect of a habituation rehabilitation program on BPPV recurrence in BPPV patients with otolith dysfunction.

Subjects and Methods

This clinical trial study was conducted on 45 age-matched patients aged 20-60 years-old, with PC-BPPV in the Dix-Hallpike test (upbeating and torsional nystagmus). Patients with BPPV were then divided into three groups: 1) The first group included subjects with normal cVEMP and oVEMP in both ears and they received a CRM maneuver. 2) The second group included subjects with abnormal cVEMP and/or oVEMP in the PC-BPPV side and they received a CRM maneuver. 3) The third group had abnormal cVEMP and/or oVEMP in the PC-BPPV side and they received CRM maneuver and two months of habituation and otolith rehabilitation. The time interval between the onset of BPPV and the treatment were less than two weeks.

Meniere’s disease, endolymphatic hydrops, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, cervical problems, trauma history, migraine, otologic or non-otologic surgery including maxillofacial and dental surgery, sudden sensory neural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, prolonged bed rest and patient refusal to participate in the study were exclusion criteria. Patients underwent following tests to check exclusion criteria: neurologic examination, history taking, immittance acoustic (Zodiac 901, Madsen, GN Otometrics, Denmark), audiometry (AC40, Interacoustic, Assens, Denmark), EcochG with TipTrode (ICS Chartr EP, GN Otometrics, Taastrup, Denmark), Bithermal Caloric test (VNG Eye Dynamics Inc., Micromedical, Chatham, IL, USA).

The cVEMP recordings were performed using ICS Chartr EP manufactured by BioLogic (GN Otometrics) with 500 Hz tone burst at 95 dB normalized hearing level (nHL), with alternating polarity, band pass filter 10-1,500 Hz, 5.1/s rate with 50 ms time window. Sweep number was 150. Stimuli were delivered through TDH39 headphones (Telephonics, Farmingdale, NY, USA). The electrode array was as follows: the reference electrode on a middle part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the active electrode on an upper part of the sternum, the ground electrode on the forehead. Subjects turned their head to the contralateral side while sitting in the chair. The device showed and monitored muscle contraction (RMS) automatically. The amplitude of biphasic p13-n23 wave was measured from the most positive peak of the wave (p13) to the most negative peak (n23) in microvolts.

The oVEMP recordings were conducted in the sitting position while the patient was looking upward at a small target that was within 100 cm. The visual angle was about 30 degree as this angle has been shown to produce the best response in comparison to other eye positions [17]. The electrode array was as follows: the active electrode on the face approximately 1 cm below the contralateral lower eyelid, the reference electrode on the chin 1 cm below the active electrode, and the ground electrode on the forehead. Using ICS Chartr EP manufactured by BioLogic (GN Otometrics), oVEMP was recorded by 500 Hz tone bursts at 95 dB nHL with alternating polarity, the bandpass filter of 10-1,500 Hz and 5.1/s rate. The analysis window was 75 ms and responses to 200 stimuli were averaged. The initial negative-positive biphasic waveform comprised peaks N1 and P1. We analyzed the peak-topeak amplitude of N1 and P1. Otolith dysfunction was defined as the lack of unilateral responses in cVEMP and oVEMP.

Epley’s maneuver was performed on all subjects with BPPV. One week after treatment they were assessed with Dix-Hallpike test and if there was no nystagmus and/or vertigo, treatment was considered successful. If symptoms were persistent, Epley’s maneuver was repeated for the second time. For subjects in group 3, a rehabilitation program includinghabituation and otolith exercises were utilized. Exercises included: jumping on the trampoline-like surface with eyes open and closed, walking on the inflated surface with eyes open and closed (head straight and head tilted in different directions), reading a text with linear head movement, standing on the tilt board and using an exercise ball. The duration of the rehabilitation program was two months and subjects were evaluated weekly to modify the exercises based on their performance. Follow-up care included communication by phone and in case of symptoms recurrence, repetition of the Epley’s maneuver was done.

The study was approved by ethical committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences with number 260-316. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

For statistical analysis, SPSS 19.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used. The significance level was considered 0.05. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and chi-square test.

Results

45 patients from 22 to 60 years old were included. The mean age of patients in the group without otolith dysfunction was 45.46±7.39, in the group 2 was 44.80±9.70 and in the group 3 was 42.40±10.04. There were 6 males and 9 females in group 1, 8 males and 7 females in group 2, and 5 males and 10 females in groups 3. The rate of BPPV recurrence before rehabilitation was 6.7%, 40%, and 33.3% in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. After rehabilitation, the rate of BPPV recurrence was 5.2%, 41.5%, and 2.7% in group 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Fig. 1 shows BPPV recurrence rate in 3 groups before and after rehabilitation.

Fig. 1.

BPPV recurrence rate in three groups before and after rehabilitation. BPPV: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

In Table 1, the number and percent of BPPV recurrence in each group are shown. BPPV recurrence is more prevalent in groups 2 and 3. Comparison of BPPV recurrence among groups with chi-square test is shown in Table 2. The difference between groups 1 and 2 was statistically significant. The BPPV recurrence in groups 2 and 3 in patients with cVEMP and/or oVEMP abnormalities is shown in Table 3 and 4. Comparison of otolith abnormalities and BPPV recurrence in groups 2 and 3 with chi-square test is shown in Table 5. It shows that in both groups BPPV recurrence was significantly correlated with otolith dysfunction.

Table 1.

Number and percent of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrence in each group

	Recurrent (percent)	Not recurrent (percent)	Total (percent)
Group 1	1 (6.7)	14 (93.3)	15 (100)
Group 2	6 (40)	9 (60)	15 (100)
Group 3	2 (13.3)	13 (86.7)	15 (100)
Total	9 (20)	36 (80)	45 (100)

Table 2.

Comparison of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrence among groups

	Value	df	p value
Groups 1 and 2	4.658	1	0.031
Groups 1 and 3	0.370	1	0.543
Groups 2 and 3	2.727	1	0.099

Table 3.

Recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in group 2 in patients with cVEMP and/or oVEMP abnormalities

	Recurrent	Not recurrent	Total
cVEMP abnormality	2	8	10
oVEMP abnormality	4	1	5
Total	6	9	15

cVEMP: cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential, oVEMP: ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential

Table 4.

Recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in group 3 in patients with cVEMP and/or oVEMP abnormalities

	Recurrent	Not recurrent	Total
cVEMP abnormality	0	10	10
oVEMP abnormality	2	2	4
cVEMP and oVEMP abnormality	0	1	1
Total	2	13	15

cVEMP: cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential, oVEMP: ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential

Table 5.

Correlation of otolith abnormalities with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrence

	Value	df	p value
Group 2	5.00	1	0.025
Group 3	6.34	2	0.042

Comparison of BPPV recurrence among groups was performed by chi-square (χ²) test. The difference between groups 1 and 2 and also between group 1 and 3 were statistically significant (p<0.05). In general, 5% of patients with a cVEMP abnormality, 12% of patients with oVEMP abnormality, and 5% of patients with both cVEMP and oVEMP abnormalities showed recurrent BPPV (group 2 and 3). Therefore 73.3% of patients with cVEMP and/or oVEMP abnormalities in group 2 and 3 showed recurrent BPPV. Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between recurrent BPPV and otolithic abnormalities (r=0.81; p<0.05).

Chi-square (χ²) test showed a significant decrease in BPPV recurrence rate in group 3 after repositioning rehabilitation and otolithic exercise (p<0.05). On the other hand, chi-square (χ²) test showed no significant decrease in BPPV recurrence rate in group 2 following only repositioning maneuver (p>0.05).

Discussion

This study was conducted on 45 subjects with BPPV. In groups 1, 2, and 3, recurrence rate were 6.7%, 40%, and 13.3%, respectively. Other studies have reported the BPPV recurrence rate from 13.5% to 50% [12,13,18]. Variability in reported BPPV recurrence may be related to patient variables such as age, sample size, and treatment maneuver. This study showed that patients without dysfunction of otolith organs had less BPPV recurrence. In group 2, we found more BPPV recurrence in comparison to groups 1 and 3 and there was a significant correlation between BPPV recurrence and otolith dysfunction (oVEMP abnormality). This shows the possible effects of otolith dysfunction on BPPV recurrence. Degenerated saccular or utricular structures might lead to more BPPV recurrence. A consistent detachment of otoconia particles that move to posterior semicircular canal might cause BPPV [6,19]. Evaluating otolith function may have a potential use for determining patients’ prognosis about BPPV treatments and probable BPPV recurrence. This may help clinician counsel the patient regarding follow-up evaluations and treatments. It has been shown that endolymphatic hydrops is a risk factor for BPPV recurrence [20] and the present study showed that otolith dysfunction may be another important risk factor.

The BPPV recurrence was seen more prevalent in patients with oVEMP abnormalities which represents utricle involvements. Patients with cVEMP abnormalities showed no significant difference regarding BPPV recurrence rate in comparison with group 1. cVEMP can evaluate saccular function. It is supposed that otoconia particles inducing BPPV are generally detached from utricle which is in close anatomic proximity to the semicircular canal [1,21].

Despite the fact that Epley’s maneuver is an effective, safe and the simple treatment for BPPV, to date, treatment of BPPV patients has been limited to this maneuver and other similar CRM maneuvers. The present study showed that a proportion of patients with BPPV suffer from otolith dysfunction. In this population, adding habituation and otolith rehabilitation exercises to Epley’s maneuver can significantly decrease BPPV recurrence rate. The rate of BPPV recurrence was 13.3% and 40% in group 2 and 3, respectively. Other studies have shown that habituation exercises are beneficial for BPPV patients. These daily exercises may prevent the accumulation of otoconia in the posterior canal by dispersing otoconia particles in patients with recurrent BPPV, so BPPV recurrence will be decreased in extended time.

In conclusion, this study showed that the BPPV recurrence rate was higher in patients with otolith dysfunction, especially utricular dysfunction, and habituation and otolith exercises in addition to traditional CRM maneuvers can decrease BPPV recurrence rate significantly. Otolith dysfunction may be a good predictor of BPPV recurrence and may help with consulting the patient and arranging the follow-up sessions and planning the rehabilitation program.