BACKGROUND

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) affects approximately half of acute, moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. To date, there have been no rigorous studies of BPPV assessment or treatment in this cohort. We aimed to determine the safety, practicability, and efficacy of therapist-led BPPV management in acute TBI and the feasibility of a larger effectiveness trial.

METHODS

This was a multi-centre, three-arm, parallel-groups, randomised, feasibility trial. Recruitment was via convenience sampling. The main inclusion criteria were age over 18 years and a confirmed, non-penetrating, acute TBI. BPPV-positive patients were randomly allocated to one of three interventions (repositioning manoeuvres, Brandt-Daroff exercises or advice) using minimisation criteria. Outcome assessors were blinded to the intervention.

RESULTS

Of 2014 patients screened for inclusion, 180 were assessed for BPPV. Of those assessed, 34% (62/180) had BPPV, and 58 patients received an intervention. Therapist-led interventions were delivered safely and accurately according to intervention monitoring criteria. Resolution of BPPV was observed in 35/58 (60%) patients. The resolution rate was highest following repositioning manoeuvres (78%), followed by the advice (53%) and Brandt-Daroff interventions (42%). 10 patients experienced recurrence. This was observed more frequently in those with skull fractures and bilateral or mixed BPPV.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results provide strong evidence for the feasibility of a future trial. Therapist-led management of BPPV in acute TBI was safe and practicable. Repositioning manoeuvres seemingly yielded a superior treatment effect. However, given the high recurrence rate of post-traumatic BPPV, the optimal time to treat according to patients' specific recurrence risk requires further investigation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN91943864, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91943864.