The effect of vestibular rehabilitation on dizziness and headache in patients with vestibular migraine

Abstract

Background and Aim: Vestibular rehabilita­tion is suggested as one of the effective treat­ments for vestibular-originated dizziness and vertigo. As there is a proven biologic link bet­ween vestibular symptoms and headache, head­ache improvement with vestibular improvement after vestibular rehabilitation is expected. The aim of the present study was examining vesti­bular rehabilitation effects on dizziness and hea­dache in 9−15 year old subjects with a vestibu­lar migraine.

Methods: Eight subjects with vestibular migra­ine were referred to Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital after diagnosis by a pediatric neurolo­gist. They were evaluated via dizziness handi­cap inventory (DHI), headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) and dizziness and headache frequency. Then they received a home-based vestibular reh­abilitation and after one month they were ree­valuated.

Results: After vestibular rehabilitation for one month, changes in the DHI and HIT-6 score were statistically significant (p < 0.01). In addition, reduction in the dizziness and hea­dache frequency in a month was statistically

significant.

Conclusion: As vestibular rehabilitation has noticeable effects on dizziness and headache, this treatment is introduced as an effective and non-invasive treatment in children and adoles-cents with a vestibular migraine.