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Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults over 50: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults over 50: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults over 50: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Introduction

Dizziness is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to falls, fear of falling, loss of confidence, anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) exercises are effective in reducing dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction, but access to trained therapists is limited. Providing dizzy patients with booklets teaching them how to carry out VR exercises has been shown to be a cost-effective way of managing dizziness in primary care. Internet-based intervention delivery has many advantages over paper-based methods, including the provision of video instructions, automated tailoring and symptom-related feedback. This trial will examine whether an internet-based VR intervention is (1) effective in reducing dizziness and (2) a cost-effective primary care treatment option.

Methods/analysis

This will be a single blind, randomised controlled trial carried out in UK primary care. A stand-alone internet-based VR intervention will be compared with routine care in 262 dizzy patients aged 50 years and over. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 and 6?months. Our primary outcome measure will be the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dizziness symptoms compared with routine care at 6?months. Cost-effectiveness will be examined along with the effect of the intervention on dizziness-related disability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Psychological process variables including expectancy, self-efficacy and acceptance will be explored in relation to adherence and symptom reduction.

Ethics/dissemination

This trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and been approved by an NHS Research Ethics Committee, Southampton A REC Reference: 13/SC/0119. The findings of this trial will be disseminated to the scientific community through presentations at national and international conferences, and by publishing in peer review journals. Findings will be disseminated to the public through targeted press releases. This trial will provide valuable information on the role of internet interventions in facilitating self-management in older adults.

Trial registration number ISRCTN: 86912968.
1-11
Geraghty, A.W.A.
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Essery, R.
6bf53e81-577f-4a95-ba45-11aa64d1ee53
Kirby, S.
9be57c1b-5ab7-4444-829e-d8e5dbe2370b
Little, P.
1bf2d1f7-200c-47a5-ab16-fe5a8756a777
Bronstein, A.
10f686b6-9e0a-46be-abbe-a09040e6739b
Turner, D.
dbe8594a-d211-4efe-abec-46a6e0451623
Stuart, B.
ab5138db-f67f-4bc3-a424-0bf0220cfc92
Andersson, A.
881e2dea-1a64-43fa-ba25-b94f03d475bc
Carlbring, P.
d0089081-02ca-4224-86f6-326fa0fc16eb
Yardley, L.
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Geraghty, A.W.A.
2c6549fe-9868-4806-b65a-21881c1930af
Essery, R.
6bf53e81-577f-4a95-ba45-11aa64d1ee53
Kirby, S.
9be57c1b-5ab7-4444-829e-d8e5dbe2370b
Little, P.
1bf2d1f7-200c-47a5-ab16-fe5a8756a777
Bronstein, A.
10f686b6-9e0a-46be-abbe-a09040e6739b
Turner, D.
dbe8594a-d211-4efe-abec-46a6e0451623
Stuart, B.
ab5138db-f67f-4bc3-a424-0bf0220cfc92
Andersson, A.
881e2dea-1a64-43fa-ba25-b94f03d475bc
Carlbring, P.
d0089081-02ca-4224-86f6-326fa0fc16eb
Yardley, L.
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e

Geraghty, A.W.A., Essery, R., Kirby, S., Little, P., Bronstein, A., Turner, D., Stuart, B., Andersson, A., Carlbring, P. and Yardley, L. (2014) Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults over 50: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 4 (e005871), 1-11. (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005871). (PMID:25052178)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Introduction

Dizziness is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to falls, fear of falling, loss of confidence, anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) exercises are effective in reducing dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction, but access to trained therapists is limited. Providing dizzy patients with booklets teaching them how to carry out VR exercises has been shown to be a cost-effective way of managing dizziness in primary care. Internet-based intervention delivery has many advantages over paper-based methods, including the provision of video instructions, automated tailoring and symptom-related feedback. This trial will examine whether an internet-based VR intervention is (1) effective in reducing dizziness and (2) a cost-effective primary care treatment option.

Methods/analysis

This will be a single blind, randomised controlled trial carried out in UK primary care. A stand-alone internet-based VR intervention will be compared with routine care in 262 dizzy patients aged 50 years and over. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 and 6?months. Our primary outcome measure will be the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dizziness symptoms compared with routine care at 6?months. Cost-effectiveness will be examined along with the effect of the intervention on dizziness-related disability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Psychological process variables including expectancy, self-efficacy and acceptance will be explored in relation to adherence and symptom reduction.

Ethics/dissemination

This trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and been approved by an NHS Research Ethics Committee, Southampton A REC Reference: 13/SC/0119. The findings of this trial will be disseminated to the scientific community through presentations at national and international conferences, and by publishing in peer review journals. Findings will be disseminated to the public through targeted press releases. This trial will provide valuable information on the role of internet interventions in facilitating self-management in older adults.

Trial registration number ISRCTN: 86912968.

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More information

Published date: 22 July 2014
Organisations: Primary Care & Population Sciences, Psychology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 366150
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/366150
PURE UUID: 0f727b5a-8666-40fa-b7e2-dcafcc56be28
ORCID for A.W.A. Geraghty: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7984-8351
ORCID for S. Kirby: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1759-1356
ORCID for L. Yardley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3853-883X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 23 Jun 2014 12:07
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:36

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Contributors

Author: A.W.A. Geraghty ORCID iD
Author: R. Essery
Author: S. Kirby ORCID iD
Author: P. Little
Author: A. Bronstein
Author: D. Turner
Author: B. Stuart
Author: A. Andersson
Author: P. Carlbring
Author: L. Yardley ORCID iD

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