Treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in ED Patients



Status:Completed
Conditions:Neurology
Therapuetic Areas:Neurology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/17/2018
Start Date:November 2006
End Date:November 2013

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A Randomized Trial to Evaluate Resolution of Symptoms Using Vestibular Rehab Versus Conventional Therapy in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) With Diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common complaint of emergency department
patients. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a much improved quality
of life for patients afflicted by this ailment. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate
and examine two methods of treatment. Patients will be randomized to receive the more common
conventional medication therapy versus the canalith repositioning technique. All patients
enrolled into this study are emergency department patients who have been diagnosed with BPPV
via a positive Dix-Hallpike Maneuver. The hypothesis of this study is that vestibular
rehabilitation will allow for resolution of symptoms without the use of conventional
medication therapy in the acute management of BPPV in the emergency department patient.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular
disorder, accounting for 20% of all vertigo cases. It was first described by Barany in 1921,
and later described in more detail by Dix and Hallpike in 1952. Common practice by ED
physicians is to rule out serious medical causes for their symptoms. It is presently common
for ED physicians to treat these patients mainly with benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and
anticholinergic medications, especially if the history and physical is consistent with BPPV.
This method of treatment has had questionable success. Several reviews of the management of
vertigo have shown that no medication in current use has well established curative or
prophylactic value or is suitable for long-term treatment.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation vs.
conventional therapy in ED patients who present with vertigo. The objectives to be determined
in this study are as follows:

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the improvement of vertigo in patients diagnosed with BPPV in the ED.

2. To evaluate disposition time for those patients receiving vestibular rehabilitation in
the ED compared to those patients who receive conventional therapy.

3. To demonstrate the long-term improvement of symptomatology utilizing vestibular
rehabilitation versus conventional therapy.

4. Compare patient satisfaction between those patients who receive standard care vs. those
who receive vestibular rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is a male or female >18 years of age.

2. Subject has presented to the Emergency Department Monday through Friday during the hours
of 8 AM to 4:30 PM or possibly extended into the evening and weekend hours if research
or physical therapy staff is available, and is diagnosed with BPPV.

3. Subject has positive findings of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix-Hallpike maneuver is
performed during physical examination. A Dix-Hallpike maneuver will be considered
positive when the patient experiences nystagmus but resolves or fatigues in less than 60
seconds

4. Informed consent can be obtained for participation in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has taken any antihistamines or anticholinergics within the past 12 hours.

2. Subjects who are unable to ambulate.

3. Subjects with severe cervical spine disease or known cerebral vascular disease.

4. Any positive findings during the neurological exam during physical examination.

5. Subjects who have negative finding of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix- Hallpike
maneuver is performed by the Physical Therapist or research staff even if the subject
had a positive finding of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix-Hallpike maneuver was
performed by the physician or resident.

6. Subjects with a known history of Meniere's Disease.

7. Any cardiac complaints during physical examination or subject has experienced a positive
loss of consciousness.

8. Subject has been previously enrolled in this study.

9. Subjects with mental conditions that render them unable to understand the nature,

10. Subjects who are unlikely to comply with the study such as subjects with uncooperative
attitude, unlikely to complete follow-up visits, or unlikely to complete the study.

11. Any other condition which would confound or interfere with evaluation or prevent
compliance with the study protocol.

Statistical Considerations/Data Analysis:

Statistical analysis will be completed under consult with Health Studies Research.
Inter-Rater Reliability analysis will be completed by the physical therapists and nurse
researchers prior to the study using video analysis of nystagmus and post-test of technique
by a physical therapist certified in vestibular rehabilitation. After enrollment of these
subjects a data peak power analysis will be conducted to calculate exact sample size needed
to complete this study. This will also give us an indication of the length of time needed to
conduct this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is a male or female >18 years of age.

2. Subject has presented to the Emergency Department Monday through Friday during the
hours of 8 AM to 4:30 PM or possibly extended into the evening and weekend hours if
research or physical therapy staff is available, and is diagnosed with BPPV.

3. Subject has positive findings of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix-Hallpike maneuver
is performed during physical examination. A Dix-Hallpike maneuver will be considered
positive when the patient experiences nystagmus but resolves or fatigues in less than
60 seconds

4. Informed consent can be obtained for participation in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject has taken any antihistamines or anticholinergics within the past 12 hours.

2. Subjects who are unable to ambulate.

3. Subjects with severe cervical spine disease or known cerebral vascular disease.

4. Any positive findings during the neurological exam during physical examination.

5. Subjects who have negative finding of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix- Hallpike
maneuver is performed by the Physical Therapist or research staff even if the subject
had a positive finding of vertigo and nystagmus when the Dix-Hallpike maneuver was
performed by the physician or resident.

6. Subjects with a known history of Meniere's Disease.

7. Any cardiac complaints during physical examination or subject has experienced a
positive loss of consciousness.

8. Subject has been previously enrolled in this study.

9. Subjects with mental conditions that render them unable to understand the nature,

10. Subjects who are unlikely to comply with the study such as subjects with uncooperative
attitude, unlikely to complete follow-up visits, or unlikely to complete the study.

11. Any other condition which would confound or interfere with evaluation or prevent
compliance with the study protocol.
We found this trial at
1
site
1200 S Cedar Crest Blvd
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103
(610) 402-8000
Lehigh Valley Hospital At Lehigh Valley Health Network, we continually go the extra mile to...
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Allentown, PA
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