Magnussen Liv Heide, Wilhelmsen Kjersti Thulin, Råheim Målfrid
Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
Phys Ther. 2025 Jul 1;105(7). doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaf062.
Long-lasting dizziness is a distressing and disabling condition frequently accompanied by psychological and physical discomfort, and if untreated, could evolve into a complex, self-perpetuating condition challenging treatment. A treatment approach addressing psychological, physical, and social ailments in connection with long-term dizziness has been developed. The objective of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions of participants with long-lasting dizziness who have engaged in a group-based intervention approach that combines principles from vestibular rehabilitation (VR), body awareness therapy (BA), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in primary care.
The study is rooted in an interpretative approach. Fifteen participants, 10 women and 5 men, aged 38 to 71 years, were interviewed in 3 focus groups. Data were analyzed by systematic text condensation, a 4-step thematic cross-case strategy suitable for exploratory investigations.
Four main themes emerged from the analyses: (1) to share and feel understood when struggling with dizziness; (2) the exercises: body perceptions and challenging one's own limits to control dizziness; (3) increased self-knowledge helps to process anxiety and challenge avoidance behavior; (4) changing habits is hard work, but necessary to recover from dizziness.
This novel group-based VR-BA-CBT treatment for individuals with long-lasting dizziness offered valuable peer support, shared learning, and learning in action providing new understanding. The VR-BA-CBT treatment includes a comprehensive and holistic approach addressing physical, psychological, and social challenges.
Through knowledge about dizziness triggers, participants learn new strategies to confront previously avoided activities. The approach holds promise to be implemented in primary care physical therapy settings.
长期头晕是一种令人痛苦且使人丧失能力的状况，常伴有心理和身体不适，若不治疗，可能会演变成一种复杂的、自我持续的状况，给治疗带来挑战。已开发出一种针对与长期头晕相关的心理、身体和社会疾病的治疗方法。本研究的目的是探讨参与基于小组的干预方法的长期头晕患者的经历和看法，该干预方法结合了初级保健中前庭康复（VR）、身体意识疗法（BA）和认知行为疗法（CBT）的原则。
本研究基于一种解释性方法。对15名参与者（10名女性和5名男性，年龄在38至71岁之间）进行了3次焦点小组访谈。通过系统文本浓缩对数据进行分析，这是一种适用于探索性调查的4步主题跨案例策略。
分析得出四个主要主题：（1）在与头晕作斗争时分享并感到被理解；（2）练习：身体感知以及挑战自身极限以控制头晕；（3）增加自我认知有助于处理焦虑并挑战回避行为；（4）改变习惯是一项艰巨的任务，但对于从头晕中恢复是必要的。
这种针对长期头晕患者的新型基于小组的VR - BA - CBT治疗提供了宝贵的同伴支持、共同学习和实践中的学习，带来了新的理解。VR - BA - CBT治疗包括一种全面且整体的方法，以应对身体、心理和社会挑战。
通过了解头晕触发因素，参与者学习到新的策略来面对以前回避的活动。该方法有望在初级保健物理治疗环境中实施。
