Objective: To determine the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation exercises that use virtual reality technology through pre and post application of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) – Brazilian adaptation.

Background: In aging, nerve impulse conduction velocity is reduced with changes in neurotransmitters. Thus, there is an impairment of the central nervous system’s ability to process vestibular, visual and proprioceptive signals responsible for maintaining body balance, causing a decrease in the ability to modify adaptive reflexes. Symptoms like dizziness and imbalance are part of these sensory changes. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a therapeutic resource that can be applied in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), promoting postural stabilization and vestibular-visual interaction.

Methods: 10 patients were evaluated (seven male and three female), between 51 and 78 years of age, from April to October 2015. The procedures adopted for the analysis of the survey were: anamnesis, ear inspection, vestibular assessment and application of the BBS, VAS, and DHI before and after VRT with virtual reality using Wii Fit equipment.

Results: In correlating the results of the analysis, it was observed that 50% of patients surveyed showed improvement in dizziness, while 80% of patients showed satisfactory results regarding independence and performance of functional balance, and only 30% of patients complained of pain during the rehabilitation period.

Conclusions: The study was significant in improving functional performance using virtual reality as a tool for vestibular rehabilitation.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/virtual-rehabilitation-a-therapy-for-parkinsonism/