Article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a three-dimensional, virtual
reality system for vestibular rehabilitation in patients with intractable
Meniere's disease and chronic vestibular dysfunction. METHODS: We included 70
patients (36 for study, 34 as control) with a chronic imbalance problem caused by
uncompensated Meniere's disease. The virtual reality vestibular rehabilitation
comprised four training tasks (modified Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises: eye, head,
extension, and coordination exercises) performed in six training sessions (in 4
weeks). Measurements of the task scores and balance parameters obtained at the
baseline and after final training sessions were compared. RESULTS: A significant
improvement was observed in extension and coordination scores. Patients in the
early stages of Meniere's disease had a significantly greater improvement in the
center of gravity sway and trajectory excursion in the mediolateral direction
than did patients in the late stages of Meniere's disease. Mild functional
disability attributable to Meniere's disease was a predictor of improvement in
the statokinesigram and maximum trajectory excursion in the anteroposterior
direction after rehabilitation. The control group showed no significant
improvement in almost all parameters. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality vestibular
rehabilitation may be useful in patients with Meniere's disease, particular those
in the early stages or having mild functional disability. Implication for
rehabilitation Chronic imbalance caused by uncompensated Meniere's disease is an
indication for vestibular rehabilitation. The interactive virtual reality video
game, when integrated into vestibular rehabilitation exercise protocol, may
assist patients who have mild disability Meniere's disease and who cannot benefit
from treatment with drugs or surgery. The initial data from this study support
the applicability of three-dimensional virtual reality technology in vestibular
rehabilitation programs. The technology gives professionals a new tool to guide
patients for vestibular rehabilitation exercises through three-dimensional
virtual reality video game playing. The virtual reality vestibular exercise game
can provide patients a step-wise, interactive, dynamic, three-dimensional, and
interesting rehabilitation environment.

Langue : ANGLAIS