Combo of Epley maneuver and dizzy-fix training device yield remarkable treatment outcomes for BPPV management: Study

The study revealed a staggering 90% symptom resolution by day 7, surpassing the traditional approach's 60% success rate with a combination of Epley Maneuver and the Dizzy-Fix Training Device in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

"Patients reported reductions in Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores (from 30 to 5), higher satisfaction ratings (4.5/5 versus 3.8/5), & lower recurrence rates (10% versus 40%)," the researchers wrote.

The Dizzy-Fix device is a portable tool designed for at-home use that provides visual and auditory cues to guide patients through head movement exercises to reposition displaced inner ear crystals, a common cause of BPPV symptoms.

Led by Sanjay Kumar, Dept of ENT-HNS, Command Hospital Air Force, Bangalore, India, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining the epley maneuver with the dizzy-fix training device in BPPV treatment, aiming to enhance treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The randomized controlled trial enrolled 50 patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV. They were allocated into two groups: one receiving the traditional Epley Maneuver and the other undergoing the Epley Maneuver supplemented with the Dizzy-Fix Training Device.

Key measures included the changes in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores, the proportion of symptom-free patients at one month, the recurrence rate within one month, and patient satisfaction.

Following were the study’s key findings:

• The Dizzy-Fix group achieved a significantly higher symptom resolution rate by day 7 (90% versus 60%) and reported greater patient satisfaction (4.5/5 versus 3.8/5) versus the Epley Maneuver alone group.
• The group also exhibited a more substantial decrease in DHI scores (from an average of 30 to 5) and a lower recurrence rate (10% versus 40%) within the first-month post-treatment.

In conclusion, the researchers found significant improvement in BPP management, evidenced by reduced symptom recurrence, enhanced patient satisfaction, and faster symptom resolution by incorporating the Dizzy-Fix Training Device with the Epley Maneuver.

"These findings underscore the value of real-time visual feedback technologies integration in vestibular rehabilitation, promising better patient outcomes, and advancing the quality of care in BPPV treatment," the researchers wrote.

Reference:

Kumar, S., Singh, R., Dutta, A. et al. Enhancing BPPV Treatment Outcomes: A Comparative Study of the Epley Maneuver with and without the Dizzy-Fix Training Device. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-024-04710-y