Abstract
Objective: Conventional vestibular rehabilitation strategies mostly require a long lasting intensive training and are not successful in many patients. Newly developed neurofeedback training procedures seem to be more effective. The present study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of a new vibrotactile neurofeedback method for the treatment of vestibular disorders.
Method: One hundred and five patients with a peripheral or central vestibular disorder performed neurofeedback training in stance and gait tasks with the Vertiguard-RT device (2 weeks, 10 min/d). The patients received a feedback signal at the hip in that direction, which showed a higher body sway than the preset threshold.
Results: The mean reduction of sway was 30.0% in pitch and 31.0% in roll direction. Significant improvements were also observed in platform stability measurements (composite score of the Sensory Organization Test) and in the Dizziness Handicap Inventory/Vertigo Symptom Scale. No significant changes occurred in the double blinded placebo group.
Conclusion: The present data shows that the vibrotactile neurofeedback method improves the balance in everyday-life conditions significantly with minimal efforts for the patients. The method seems to be well suited for home or group training since the tasks are easy and all relevant values are stored in a small body-worn device.
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