Comparison of Epley Maneuver and Brandt- Daroff Exercises on Short- Term Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - Related Quality of Life

Background and purpose: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a recurrent chronic disease of the inner ear and the handicap caused by it is usually underestimated. Several studies have indicated that physical therapy, including rehabilitative exercises and physical maneuvers, is an effective treatment for BPPV. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of treatment with the Epley maneuver and that with the Brandt- Daroff exercises on short- term BPPV related quality of life and at comparing the effects of the two treatment approaches.

Study design: Comparative prospective study.

Materials and method: Out of 30 subjects suffering from posterior canal BPPV, 15 were administered a single sitting of the Epley maneuver and 15 underwent a home exercise program of the Brandt- Daroff exercises for two weeks. Analysis of the efficacy of treatment was done based on the Dizziness handicap Inventory scores before and after the treatment.

Results: The patients who received the Epley maneuver showed a highly significant mean improvement in the DHI scores of 48.67(p= .001). The Brandt- Darff exercise group too, demonstrated a highly significant improvement of 40.00 (p= .001). There was no significant difference in the improvements shown by the patients between the two groups.

Conclusion: Both the Epley maneuver and the Brandt- Daroff exercises are highly effective in treating posterior canal BPPV, reducing the BPPV- related perceived disability handicap and at improving short- term BPPV- related quality of life.