Fisioterapia vestibular em pacientes com vestibulopatias centrais: relato de casos

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the effects of a personalized Vestibular Physiotherapy protocol on the symptoms of dizziness, oculomotor changes, postural balance and the influence of dizziness on quality of life in patients with central vestibular disorders. Methodology: two patients of both sexes, aged 40 and 63 years, with clinical diagnosis of central vestibulopathy, underwent a personalized Vestibular Physiotherapy (VF) protocol. Containing gaze stabilization exercises, oculomotor training, habituation and exercises for static and dynamic balance, with an average frequency of 1 to 2 times a week, in addition to incentive to perform the exercises at home. The intensity of dizziness and / or vertigo were assessed using the Numerical Scale (EN), the search for oculomotor changes by oculomotor assessment, static balance by the Modified Sensory Integration Clinical Test (TCISEm) and the Unipodal Stance test (AU), the dynamic balance in walking by the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the quality of life by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Results: the patients presented a reduction in the intensity of dizziness, improvement in static balance in the most functional conditions, although with some oculomotor changes. Only patient 2 showed clinical improvement in gait balance and both obtained a slight reduction in the impact of dizziness on quality of life. Conclusions: VF promoted positive results regarding the reduction of the intensity of dizziness, the maintenance of body balance and, consequently, greater independence for activities of daily living (ADLs), in addition to promoting a better quality of life, using exercises simple, easy to apply and low cost.