Comparison of the level of confidence to perform daily activities before and after vestibular rehabilitation in patients with vestibular dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction: Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) appears as a therapeutic option in cases of dizziness and postural imbalance. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale) is a questionnaire used to assess the interference of these vestibular symptoms with the individuals’ level of confidence to carry out daily activities involving postural balance. Objective: to compare the level of confidence to carry out daily activities related to body balance, before and after VR, in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Method: Primary, interventional, clinical, longitudinal, prospective, analytical, and noncontrolled study. The sample comprised 14 male and female individuals with peripheral vestibulopathy. The ABC Scale was applied before and after VR. Descriptive and inferential data analysis were performed, using Fisher’s Exact test, Student’s t-test, and the linear mixed-effects model. Results: The sample had 78.57% females and 21.43% males, with a mean age of 59.21 years. There was a statistical difference in ABC Scale results before and after VR (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference between its scores and sex, age, or the number of therapy sessions. Conclusion: It was concluded that this study patients’ confidence level changed from low in the pre-rehabilitation phase, to high in the final phase of the intervention, which consolidates the increase in confidence level that led to an improvement of quality of life.