Overview
A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of an app-assisted vestibular rehabilitation in increasing adherence to VR and treatment outcomes
Description
Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) home exercises, prescribed by physiotherapists, are the main treatment for vestibular dysfunction. However, reports by clinicians indicate that patients do not fully comply with the treatment. Advances in technology and tele-rehabilitation have the potential to facilitate adherence to home exercise, if they are designed to overcome the barriers for practice. We plan to continue and expand our previous feasibility study with the vestibular phone app, in order to examine the effects of an app-assisted VR program on adherence and treatment outcomes. The patients in this study will be randomly assigned to the intervention (app-assisted vestibular rehabilitation) or the control group (standard vestibular rehabilitation, no app).
Tests and measurements for both groups will be done at three time points:
- Preliminary assessment session (Session 1)- An initial assessment test on the first visit;
- Secondary assessment session (Session 2)- After 5-6 weeks;
- Follow-up evaluation session (Session 3)- One month after the secondary assessment session.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals aged 18 and over
- Diagnosis with any vestibular disorder that requires a vestibular rehabilitation exercise program
- Physical and cognitive ability to perform vestibular physiotherapy
Exclusion Criteria:
- A physical disability that does not allow for the performance of vestibular physiotherapy
- A diagnosis of a central vestibular disorder caused by structural damage to the brain
- Individuals who are not qualified to give informed consent