The effect of vestibular rehabilitation on dizziness and headache in patients with vestibular migraine

Background and Aim: Vestibular rehabilitation is suggested as one of the effective treatments for vestibular-originated dizziness and vertigo. As there is a proven biologic link between vestibular symptoms and headache, headache improvement with vestibular improvement after vestibular rehabilitation is expected. The aim of the present study was examining vestibular rehabilitation effects on dizziness and headache in 9-15 year old subjects with a vestibular migraine. Methods: Eight subjects with vestibular migraine were referred to Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital after diagnosis by a pediatric neurologist. They were evaluated via dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) and dizziness and headache frequency. Then they received a homebased vestibular rehabilitation and after one month they were reevaluated. Results: After vestibular rehabilitation for one month, changes in the DHI and HIT-6 score were statistically significant (p 0.01). In addition, reduction in the dizziness and headache frequency in a month was statistically significant. Conclusion: As vestibular rehabilitation has noticeable effects on dizziness and headache, this treatment is introduced as an effective and noninvasive treatment in children and adolescents with a vestibular migraine.