A Retrospective Study on the Association of Age and Sex with the Effectiveness of Canalith Repositioning and Home-Based Rehabilitation in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Patients

Watcharin  Tayati; Tidaporn Tairattanasuwan

Authors

Watcharin Tayati Vestibular Rehabilitation Clinic, Physical Therapy Division, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Trang Hospital, Trang, Thailand
Tidaporn Tairattanasuwan Faculty of Physical Therapy, Huachiew Chalermprakiat University

Keywords:

benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, canalith repositioning procedure, vestibular rehabilitation, age factors, sex factors

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the association between sex, age, and the effectiveness of the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) combined with home-based vestibular rehabilitation in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and to examine their influence on dizziness-related quality of life as measured by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

Study design: Retrospective observational study

Setting: The Outpatient Departments of Otolaryngology and Physical Therapy, Trang Hospital, Trang Province, Thailand

Subjects: Seventy‑eight adults with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) treated with canalith repositioning and home‑based vestibular rehabilitation.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 78 patients who underwent CRP and home-based vestibular exercises between October 2023 and February 2024 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two age groups (18-59 years and ≥ 60 years) and compared by sex. Treatment outcomes were measured based on symptom resolution and changes in DHI scores before and after treatment. Group comparisons were performed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and correlation analyses, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The overall resolution rate was 97.4%. There were no significant differences by age or sex. Age correlated positively with DHI pre‑ and post‑scores (r = 0.83 and 0.73, p < 0.01), and post‑treatment DHI was higher in females than males (p = 0.02).

Conclusions: This study highlights that while CRP combined with home-based vestibular rehabilitation is effective for BPPV treatment, older adults and females experience greater dizziness- related handicaps. These findings emphasize the need for age- and sex-specific considerations in rehabilitation programs, particularly regarding realistic outcome expectations for older adults and enhanced support for females who may experience greater residual handicap.

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