Early vestibular rehabilitation training of peripheral acute vestibular syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of early vestibular rehabilitation training combined with corticosteroids initiated within 2 weeks, compared with corticosteroid treatment, after the peripheral acute vestibular syndrome (pAVS) onset.

Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. From inception to January 24, 2024. The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews approved this study (CRD42023422308).

Results: Five studies involving 235 patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The subjective outcome measure Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was pooled for a meta-analysis and was statistically significantly in favor of early vestibular rehabilitation training (early VRT) plus corticosteroids compared with corticosteroids alone: at one-month follow-up (p = 0.00) and 12 months follow-up (p = 0.01). DHI was a critical outcome for measuring the differences in effect of early VRT. The objective outcome measures of caloric lateralization, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials, and posturography were gathered for a narrative synthesis.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that early VRT in combination with corticosteroids was more effective for treating pAVS than corticosteroid treatment alone. No adverse effects were reported for early VRT.