Efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation therapy in reducing falls.

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.