The effects of the rotatory maneuver on ENG results of patients with directional preponderance and a history of peripheral vestibular vertigo

Abstract

This study was performed following favorable results from a previous research, which studied the response of acute vestibular patients to the rotatory maneuver, to investigate the effects of the rotatory maneuver on chronic vestibular patients. In an attempt to normalize the patient’s directional preponderance (DP), and hence their vestibular symptoms, the study was designed to reduce the imbalance between the vestibular systems on the two sides. By rotating the subjects with a rotating chair towards the opposite direction of dominant side, the dominant side would be inhibited and simultaneously the subordinate side would be stimulated. Five patients with a history of peripheral vestibular vertigo and an increased DP of at least one year’s duration, originally confirmed by ENG and rotatory test, were subjected to a rotatory stimulus, the effect of which was evaluated by rotation test. The maneuver was performed 6 times over 4 weeks. The DPs of all patients were compared before the stimulus and 70 minutes after that for the 6 sessions of maneuver. The results indicate a significant difference (P=0.043) between the DP mean values before the stimulation and after that. By minimizing the inequality between the vestibular discharges on the two sides, a reduction in vestibular symptoms is expected.