Effects of Vestibular vs. Somatosensory Rehabilitation on Balance and Quality of Life of Sub-acute Stroke Patients with Vestibular Syndrome

Vestibular vs. Somatosensory Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting millions of people annually and leading to significant healthcare utilization. Survivors of stroke often experience balance impairments in the early subacute phase, mainly due to sensory and vestibular deficits, which can greatly impact their quality of life.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular and somatosensory interventions on balance and quality of life, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on early subacute stroke patients with vestibular syndrome. 52 patients were randomly assigned to either a vestibular or somatosensory rehabilitation group or a control group that received standard care. The trial was completed by 49 patients who were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention using the Berg Balance Scale and the Vestibular Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results: Both vestibular and somatosensory rehabilitation interventions demonstrated significant improvements in balance, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale scores, and quality of life based on the scores from the Vestibular Quality of Life Questionnaire at p<0.05, compared to the control group. There were no significant differences between the twointervention groups in terms of their impact on balance or quality of life outcomes.

Conclusion: Vestibular and somatosensory rehabilitation interventions are both effective strategies for improving balance and quality of life in patients at the early subacute stage of stroke with vestibular syndrome. These results highlight the necessity of implementing targeted rehabilitation approaches in stroke care protocols to achieve the best possible functional outcomes and long-term recovery.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/02.02/017