Avaliação da eficácia da reabilitação vestibular por meio do video head impulse test – série de casos

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare vestibular-ocular reflex (RVO) gain and symmetry parameters with clinical and functional tests of postural balance after traditional vestibular rehabilitation (VR) associated with virtual reality resources. This is a report of three descriptively characterized clinical cases approved by the research ethics committee (opinion 2.809,558). Participants underwent clinical anamnesis, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaires and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale), postural balance clinical assessment and video head impulse test (vHIT), pre and post RV. Traditional VR was applied associated with virtual reality glasses. The average age was 59.5 years, all female. In the pre VR situation, an average of low confidence level for performing activities of daily living was evidenced, which evolved to high after VR; mean total DHI score showing moderate pre-VR handicap, reduced to mild post-RV. Regarding the comparison of vHIT results after the intervention, there was an increase in RVO gain values for the affected semicircular canals (CSCs), consistent with normality patterns and reduction of asymmetry between the CSCs in the studied cases. It was also observed extinction or decrease of the compensatory balcony parameters in the affected CSCs. It is concluded that VR proved to be an effective therapeutic resource for the described cases, proven by comparing the results in the applied tests, which characterized signs suggesting the occurrence of vestibular compensation with positive impact on quality of life.