Abstract

Dizziness is among the most common reasons that people consult a physician. The two most common causes of dizziness related to peripheral vestibular dysfunction are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular hypofunction (VH). Physical therapy (PT) is an effective component of the medical management for both conditions. The occurrence rate of concurrent BPPV and VH in the same patient has not been described in the literature. Identifying patients with co-diagnosis of BPPV and VH will allow the PT to construct a proper treatment sequence. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 500 consecutive medical records of Veteran's Administration male patients with dizziness referred for videonystagmography (VNG). Co-diagnosis of BPPV and VH, ipsilateral versus contralateral presentation, frequency of referral to PT, and age were recorded. Single diagnosis (38%) was more common than co-diagnosis (6.6%), and ipsilateral presentation of co-diagnosis (48.5%) more frequent than contralateral presentation (33.3%). Additionally, 80.7% of patients who tested positive for a peripheral vestibular disorder were not referred to PT. Age may be related to the occurrence of co-diagnosis of BPPV and VH.

LLU Discipline

Physical Therapy

Department

Physical Therapy

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Johnson, Eric G.

Second Advisor

Clendaniel, Richard A.

Third Advisor

Firek, Anthony

Fourth Advisor

Tsao, H. Berry

Fifth Advisor

Zimmerman, Grentih

Degree Name

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Degree Level

D.Sc.

Year Degree Awarded

January 2012

Date (Title Page)

6-1-2012

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Physical Therapy; Veterans; Dizziness, Vertigo

Subject - Local

Dizziness; Vestibular Dysfunction; Benigh Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV); Vestibular Hypofunction (VH); Videonystagmography

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

57 p.

Digital Format

Application/PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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