Temporal virtual reality-guided, dual-task, trunk balance training in a sitting position improves persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: proof of concept.
Tomoya Yamaguchi, Toru Miwa, Kaoru Tamura and 5 others
PMID 35987778WHAT IT FOUND
A single 10-minute virtual reality balance session improved dizziness scores and balance in people with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.
This proof-of-concept study cannot confirm the virtual reality alone caused the change, as all participants also took medication and did daily home exercises.
Key findings
01The virtual reality group showed significant improvements in static balance, dynamic balance, and questionnaire scores for dizziness and anxiety compared to baseline.
02The control group receiving conventional physiotherapy showed no significant improvement in balance or dizziness scores, except for a worsening in one visual sub-score.
03All participants received anti-vertigo medication and were instructed to perform vestibular rehabilitation exercises at home three times a day alongside the study intervention.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was a small proof-of-concept pilot with only 26 participants. The intervention consisted of a single 10-minute session, so long-term effects are unknown. All participants received concurrent anti-vertigo medication and daily home vestibular exercises, making it impossible to separate the effect of the virtual reality training from these other treatments. The short duration was due to funding limitations, and the sample size was insufficient for some statistical analyses.
Declared interests
The paper does not state a specific funding source or conflicts of interest declaration in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that virtual reality training alone caused the improvements. All participants in both groups were taking anti-vertigo medication and performing home vestibular exercises three times a day, so the contribution of the virtual reality system cannot be separated from these concurrent treatments.