Daily exercise does not prevent recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze if a daily routine of self-canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) will increase the time to recurrence and reduce the rate of recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study, nonrandomized control group.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic.

PATIENTS

Thirty-nine patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV successfully treated with the CRP. Based on a convenience sample, 17 (44%) patients were assigned to the treatment group, whereas 22 (56%) were assigned to the no-treatment group. The number of subjects lost at the time of follow-up were 5 (29.4%) of the treatment group and 2 (9%) of the no-treatment group.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients assigned to the treatment group performed the self-CRP daily, whereas those assigned to the no-treatment group performed no exercises. Patients were followed for up to 2 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were the rate of recurrence of BPPV and the time for BPPV to recur.

RESULTS

Of the 39 subjects, symptoms recurred in 16 (41%) of the total population, 6 (35%) of 17 of the treatment group, and 10 (46%) of 22 of the no-treatment group. There was no difference in the frequency of recurrence (Pearson chi; p = 0.522) or the time to recurrence (survival analysis; log-rank test; p = 0.242).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that a daily routine of the self-CRP does not affect the time to recurrence and the rate of recurrence of posterior canal-BPPV.