Comparison of automatic and manual reposition treatment for horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the efficacy of automatic to manual reposition treatment for patients with horizontal semicircular canal paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Sixty patients diagnosed with BPPV were equally and randomly divided into either a manual reposition treatment group or an automatic reposition treatment group. The groups were compared regarding difference in pain [visual analog scale (VAS)], extent of vertigo disorder [dizziness handicap inventory (DHI)], quality of life (SF-36), and therapeutic effect. Improved VAS, DHI and SF-36 were observed in both groups, however the efficacious rate of the automatic reposition group (96.7%) was 13.4% higher than that of the manual reposition group, reaching a statistical significance (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, in the treatment of BPPV patients, automatic reposition is more effective than manual reposition and can improve the patient’s quality of life.