Physical therapy management in patients with cervicogenic dizziness- A case series

Abstract

Background: Cervical spondylosis is degenerative disorder of cervical spine and is often associated with a sense of cervicogenic dizziness or disequilibrium.. There is dearth of literature regarding physical therapy evaluation and management of patients suffering from cervical spondylosis and presenting with cervicogenic dizziness. We present our experience with physical therapy management of patients suffering with cervical spondylosis and complaining of dizziness of cervical origin with an aim to improve balance and proprioception. Materials and methods: A total of ten patients ranging in age from 25-50 year, Mean +S.D. (36.8±8.72), clinically diagnosed with cervical spondylosis and presenting/complaining of cervicogenic dizziness were recruited from OutPatient Department, Pt.B.D.S., U.H.S., Rohtak. Patients were then tested using following four tests namely romberg`s test, vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) autorotation test/Head Thrust Test, hallpik-dix test and functional position test and those responding with positive outcome for various tests were included. Patients were then given exercise therapy treatment for 30 days. Results: Paired t-test analysis showed that there was highly significant improvement in scores of the four tests namely romberg`s test, vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) autorotation test/Head Thrust Test, hallpik-dix test and functional position test (p<0.01). Comparing mean values of test scores in terms of percentage improvement from baseline there was significant increase. Conclusion: Physical therapy exercise programme is effective in cervicogenic dizziness, it improves balance and proprioception in patients clinically diagnosed with cervical spondylosis and presenting with cervicogenic dizziness.