Abstract
Objective
To compare a computer exercise program with conservative home-training following printed instructions in the rehabilitation of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction.
Design
Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Setting
Geriatric Department, Aarhus University Hospital.
Participants
Sixty-three elderly patients with chronic dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction were randomly assigned to either rehabilitation in the clinic followed by computer-assisted home exercises (intervention group: n=32), or rehabilitation in the clinic followed by home exercises according to printed instructions (control group: n=31).
Intervention
Patients in the intervention group received assisted rehabilitation by a computer program.
Main outcome measures
Measurements at baseline, 8 and 16 weeks were compared. These included the One Leg Stand Test, Dynamic Gait Index, Chair Stand Test, Motion Sensitivity Test, Short Form-12, Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Visual Analog Scale.
Results
Both groups improved significantly during 16 weeks of rehabilitation. However, neither t-tests nor repeated measurement ANOVA demonstrated any significant differences between the two groups. The overall compliance rate during 16 weeks to computer program exercises was 57 %.
Conclusion
A computer assisted program to support the home training of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction did not improve rehabilitation more than printed instructions.
To compare a computer exercise program with conservative home-training following printed instructions in the rehabilitation of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction.
Design
Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Setting
Geriatric Department, Aarhus University Hospital.
Participants
Sixty-three elderly patients with chronic dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction were randomly assigned to either rehabilitation in the clinic followed by computer-assisted home exercises (intervention group: n=32), or rehabilitation in the clinic followed by home exercises according to printed instructions (control group: n=31).
Intervention
Patients in the intervention group received assisted rehabilitation by a computer program.
Main outcome measures
Measurements at baseline, 8 and 16 weeks were compared. These included the One Leg Stand Test, Dynamic Gait Index, Chair Stand Test, Motion Sensitivity Test, Short Form-12, Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Visual Analog Scale.
Results
Both groups improved significantly during 16 weeks of rehabilitation. However, neither t-tests nor repeated measurement ANOVA demonstrated any significant differences between the two groups. The overall compliance rate during 16 weeks to computer program exercises was 57 %.
Conclusion
A computer assisted program to support the home training of elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction did not improve rehabilitation more than printed instructions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 395-401 |
| ISSN | 0003-9993 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Oct 2014 |