Isolated versus Drug Combined Vestibular Rehabilitation for the Treatment of Metabolic Dizziness

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic processes and inappropriate use of medications may affect vestibular adaptation. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of isolated and combined drug therapy for treating metabolic dizziness and to determine the effect of multidrug treatment. Methodology: We analyzed 100 questionnaires of patients diagnosed with dizziness of metabolic origin. Results: The group treated with vestibular rehabilitation alone showed improvement with 9 months of therapy (p = 0.01). The group treated with vestibular rehabilitation and medication showed improvement with 45 days of therapy (p = 0.01). The group treated with a single type of drug did not show significant improvement. The group treated with several drugs showed improvement with 45 days of therapy (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Combined vestibular rehabilitation resulted in immediate improvement of symptoms without contributing to long-term compensation. Vestibular rehabilitation alone resulted in improve- ment of symptoms over time. Multidrug treatment was beneficial for immediate relief of dizziness.