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Vestibular rehabilitation strategies and factors that affect the outcome

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Abstract

Ever since the introduction of Cawthorne–Cooksey exercises, vestibular rehabilitation (VR) has been gaining popularity in the treatment of the dizzy patient. Numerous studies support the effectiveness of VR in improving balance/walking skills, eye–head coordination and the quality of life of the patient. Different rehabilitation protocols have been used to treat patients with peripheral and central vestibular disorders. Assessment of the patients’ progress is based on the patients’ selfperception of dizziness and their functional skills. Factors such as age, medication, time of onset of vertigo and home based VR have been evaluated on their effect on the rehabilitation’s outcome. The aim of this review is to evaluate rehabilitation strategies and discuss the factors that affect the outcome.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, General Hospital of Rethymnon, 15-17 Trantallidou Street, 74100, Rethymnon, Crete, Greece

    Anna Eleftheriadou & Nikoleta Skalidi

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Georgios A. Velegrakis

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  1. Anna Eleftheriadou
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  2. Nikoleta Skalidi
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Correspondence to Anna Eleftheriadou.

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Eleftheriadou, A., Skalidi, N. & Velegrakis, G.A. Vestibular rehabilitation strategies and factors that affect the outcome. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 269, 2309–2316 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2019-2

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