Effects of balance training in elderly people with nonperipheral vertigo and unsteadiness

Objective: To evaluate the effect of balance training in group in elderly people with nonperipheral vertigo and unsteadiness. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Ear-, nose- and throat department, University Hospital, Sweden. Subjects: Twenty-three elderly subjects with nonperipheral vertigo and/or unsteadiness randomized into training group and control group. Intervention: The training group attended balance training in group twice a week for eight weeks. Main outcome measures: Timed static balance tests, walking tests and six sensory organization tests on EquiTest dynamic posturography were performed before and after the training period. Besides, the patients estimated their vertigo and unsteadiness on a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after the training period. Results: The training group improved significantly in standing on one leg with eyes open, walking forward on a line, walking speed, in three out of six tests on dynamic posturography and estimated less vertigo and unsteadiness measured with VAS. No changes were seen in the control group. Conclusion: Balance training in elderly people with nonperipheral vertigo and unsteadiness seems to improve both objective and perceived balance.