PURPOSE: to evaluate, by means of the dizziness handicap questionnaire, the effect of a Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) protocol in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), seven days after the first intervention and six months after the second intervention. METHOD: patients undergoing BPPV diagnosis confirmation by a positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver were assessed (collection) by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory - Brazilian (DHI-Brazilian) before the first intervention, after the second (seven day interval) and six months after the second one. The interventions consisted of cervical relaxation, Epley and postural restrictions were applied after the first assessment and before the second evaluation, with an interval of seven days. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: nine women with an average 63-year old (standard deviation 4.6). Were found in DHI-Brazilian aspects: Physical - the collection 1 a mean of 2.6a(±0.17); collection 2 of 0.82b(±0.24); collection 3 of 1.43b(±0.43) with p<0.05; Functional - the collection 1 a mean of 1.73(±0 21); collection 2 of 0.93(±0.27); collection 3 of 1.28(±0.39); Emotional - the collection 1 a mean of 1.03(±0.24); collection 2 of 0.49(±0.23); collection 3 of 0.82(±0.36). CONCLUSION: the BPPV, when evaluated by the DHI-Brazilian, harms the patients in some aspects and vestibular rehabilitation, with the application of the proposed protocol, it promoted improved quality of life, with greater reduction in symptoms, seven days after the first intervention. After six months there was some reduction in the status of improvements, but it still remained in better condition comparing with the first collection.
Rehabilitation; Vestibule, Labyrinth; Vertigo
