Rehabilitation Research and Practice

Michael Smaerup ¹, Uffe Laessoe ², Eric Gronvall ³, Jens-Jacob Henriksen ⁴, Else Marie Damsgaard ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geriatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, DK
2 Department of Physiotherapy/Research and Development, University College of North Denmark, 9220 Aalborg, DK
3 Computer Games and Interaction Design, IT University of Copenhagen, 2300 Copenhagen, DK
4 Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, DK

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction are able to preserve physical functional level, reduction in dizziness, and the patient's quality of life when assistive computer technology is used in comparison with printed instructions. Materials and Methods: Single-blind, randomized, controlled follow-up study. Fifty-seven elderly patients with chronic dizziness were randomly assigned to a computer-assisted home exercise program or to home exercises as described in printed instructions and followed for tree month after discharge from an outpatient clinic. Results: Both groups had maintained their high functional levels three months after finishing the outpatient rehabilitation. No statistically significant difference was found in outcome scores between the two groups. In spite of moderate compliance levels, the patients maintained their high functional level indicating that the elderly should not necessarily exercise for the first three months after termination of the training in the outpatient clinic. Conclusion: Elderly vestibular dysfunction patients exercising at home seem to maintain their functional level, level of dizziness, and quality of life three months following discharge from hospital. In this specific setup, no greater effect was found by introducing a computer-assisted training program, when compared to standard home training guided by printed instructions.

Keywords

English

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