Randomized controlled trial of vestibular rehabilitation combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy for dizziness in older people.

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation combined with cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of dizziness in older people. A randomized controlled design was used with patients recruited via an advertisement. Nine patients completed treatment and 10 served as waiting-list controls. The intervention lasted 7 weeks with 5 weekly group sessions and consisted of vestibular exercises. Cognitive behavioral therapy components were added to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and avoidance of feared situations and movements. Statistically significant improvements on walking time, 2 dizziness provocative movements, and on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, but no effects on the Romberg or anxiety and depression. Of the treated patients, 89% reached statistical significant improvement on the total inventory score. Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with vestibular rehabilitation decreases dizziness in older people. These findings indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy can be combined with vestibular rehabilitation in the treatment of dizziness.