The efficacy of automated repositioning chair in refractory benign paroxysmal positional vertigo-a pilot study

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the overall success rate of automated canalith repositioning chair combined with videonystagmography (VNG) in the treatment of refractory benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients who were initially treated unsuccessfully with conventionally performed canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRM) and whether can be a solution to enable easy CRM and make a difference in treatment success among BPPV subtypes.

Methods

Prospective study with 96 patients diagnosed with refractory benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo after initial CRM at primary health care centers between December 2022 and 2023 were treated by means of RMS™ combined with VNG as an automated repositioning chair at a tertiary university hospital in between December 2022 and 2023. Patients were deemed successfully treated if they displayed remission after three or less sessions within the span of a month.

Results

The mean number of required treatments was 1.42 with a success rate of 96.9%. Two horizontal canal and one multicanal BPPV needed more than three treatment sessions in one month span with 3.1 % treatment failure rate (defined as a need of >3 sessions in one month)

Conclusion

RMS™ as an automated repositioning chair can be considered as an effective repositioning chair in the treatment of conventionally performed canalith repositioning maneuver resistant patients with success rates reaching 97 %.