Comparison Between Traditional Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy And Virtual Reality In Management Of Patients With Chronic Dizziness

NCT ID: NCT07210840

Last Updated: 2025-10-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-11-01
• Study Completion Date: 2027-12-01

Brief Summary

Chronic dizziness is a common and often debilitating condition, especially among older adults. It typically presents as a persistent sensation of unsteadiness, spinning, or motion lasting weeks or months. Most cases stem from vestibular system disorders, such as vestibular neuritis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Menière's disease, and bilateral vestibulopathy [1,2]. Symptoms may persist beyond the acute phase due to the brain's incomplete adaptation or maladaptive behaviors, like avoiding movement. Psychological factors, such as anxiety and stress, can worsen or prolong symptoms [3].

While many vestibular disorders resolve over time, some patients experience chronic symptoms due to poor central compensation or fear-based movement avoidance [2]. Chronic dizziness significantly impacts daily life-leading to imbalance, increased fall risk, reduced mobility, and emotional distress. Proper management is crucial to improving safety, independence, and quality of life [4].

Initial treatments may include medications or maneuvers like the Epley technique for BPPV. If symptoms persist, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is often recommended. VRT is a personalized exercise program aimed at enhancing the brain's ability to adapt, habituate, or compensate through substitution [6-8].

Recently, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool in vestibular rehab. It provides engaging, interactive environments for practicing balance and visual-vestibular tasks. Studies suggest that VR is feasible, well-tolerated, and effective, particularly for patients with persistent or visually-induced dizziness [9,10].

Conditions

Chronic Dizziness

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Group A

Traditional Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Traditional Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Customized vestibular exercises (gaze stabilization, balance, habituation, gait training).

Group B

Virtual Reality treatment

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Virtual Reality treatment

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Exercises delivered via a VR system simulating balance tasks and environments

Interventions

Virtual Reality treatment

Exercises delivered via a VR system simulating balance tasks and environments

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Traditional Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Customized vestibular exercises (gaze stabilization, balance, habituation, gait training).

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• • Adults aged 18-70 years.

• Patients diagnosed with chronic dizziness (duration >3 months) due to peripheral vestibular disorders (e.g., vestibular neuritis, BPPV, unilateral vestibular hypofunction).

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of central vestibular disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, cerebellar ataxia,

• stroke).
• Patients in acute phase
• Presence of severe visual impairment
• Presence of motor disabilities that prevent safe participation in rehabilitation exercises.
• Cognitive impairment or psychiatric illness that decrease ability to follow instructions

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Assiut University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Noran Kamal Gaber Hamdan

residant doctor at Assiut university hospital

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

TVRT vs Virtual Reality Dizzin

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id