Therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
“Practice parameter: Therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence based review).”
Neurology. May 27, 2008.
Background
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition whereby patients become dizzy, often triggered by some movement of the head. It is somewhat common and become life-altering as patients get sudden bouts of often debilitating vertigo at random times. This article looked at what techniques are effective at treating this condition.
What we learn from this study
- There are non-surgical, non-medication, therapy techniques (ie. the Epley maneuver) that are effective at treating this condition. This is an in-office procedure that re-positions the inner ear and corrects the cause of dizziness.
- There are no post-treatment restrictions placed on the patient.
- Medications for BPPV have proven ineffective.
- Studies done on surgery for BPPV “do not provide sufficient evidence to recommend or refute” surgery.