Vestibular Rehabilitation App for Adults With Dizziness Related to mTBI

A single blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed with pre- and post-treatment assessment and a 3-month follow-up assessment. Study groups are defined by the method that the home exercise vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) program is provided: Group 1 will receive standard vestibular rehabilitation therapy (S-VRT) home program, while Group 2 will receive a digital vestibular rehabilitation therapy (D-VRT) home program using the Health in Motion platform. Sixty-eight adults (+10% for attrition) with sub-acute (2 weeks-3 months) or chronic dizziness (> 3 months) related to mTBI will be recruited and enrolled in the study. We will use a randomized block design to assure equal allocation of symptom severity to the intervention groups. Random assignment will be made using SPSS random number function. The research coordinator at each study site will create sealed study envelopes with the random study identification number that contains group assignment. In order to instruct the participant in the appropriate exercise intervention, the treating physical therapist will receive an envelope (in consecutive order) once a subject has consented to participate in the study. This study will incorporate a single blind research design, so that the researcher performing clinical balance and gait assessments will be blinded to group assignment. It is not possible to blind the treating therapist or participants.

During the pre-test session, the researcher will perform a standard vestibular evaluation including tests of balance and walking as well as questionnaires about dizziness impact on activities, balance confidence, motion sensitivity, and disability.

The treating clinician will create and provide a customized VRT home exercise program (HEP) per standard of care, consisting of gaze stabilization, habituation, balance and gait exercises, and endurance training. Gaze stabilization exercises involve head movement while maintaining fixation on a target which may be stationary or moving. Habituation exercises are chosen based on movements (of self or the visual environment) that provoke symptoms and the participant performs several repetitions of motions that cause mild to moderate symptoms. Balance and gait exercises are chosen based on identified impairments and limitations and are performed under challenging sensory and dynamic conditions to optimize balance. General conditioning, such as a customized graduated walking program for endurance will be included.

All participants will receive verbal instructions (in Health in Motion the text instruction is accompanied with voice over), demonstration of, and feedback on, accurate performance of the gaze stabilization/habituation HEP per group assignment. The S-VRT group will only receive these instructions and feedback at the weekly clinic visit from the supervising clinician. The D-VRT group will receive exercise instructions and demonstration via the Rock Steady app the first time using a game and as requested thereafter. The supervising clinician will evaluate the participant's ability to accurately perform the exercises at each follow-up visit (1x/week) and will provide additional training/feedback as needed for both S-VRT and D-VRT groups.

All participants will be instructed to complete the gaze stabilization/habituation exercises 2-3 times per day and the balance and gait exercises 1 time per day for 4 weeks. All participants will use a paper exercise log to record the performance of the HEP, regardless of group assignment. After completing the 4-week intervention, participants will be offered the option to continue using their current method or try the alternate method for the 3- month maintenance phase. After the 3-month maintenance phase, participants will complete the questionnaire about dizziness impact on daily activities.

Inclusion criteria

• at least 18 years of age,
• diagnosis of mTBI,
• documented dizziness (total DHI score ≥ 16) and/or imbalance (total functional gait assessment score < 23/30 or < age-referenced norms)

Exclusion criteria

• severe neurological disease (e.g., Parkinson's disease, neuropathy),
• moderate to severe cognitive impairment (< 23/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment),
• significant orthopedic issues that would impact mobility or ability to perform gaze stabilization exercises (e.g., significant cervical dysfunction or pain),
• vision impairment (best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 in the better eye), and
• severe depression/anxiety (≥ 9 on the 4-item Patient health Questionnaire)