Vestibular Neuritis

Vestibular neuritis is a brutal and continuous dizzying syndrome of peripheral (vestibular) origin without cochlear or other associated involvement. Specifically, vestibular neuritis is inflammation of the nerve that innervates the vestibular canals (the inner ear). It is characterized by the sudden onset of intense and prolonged vertigo accompanied by postural imbalance, nausea and vomiting, without hearing impairment or other neurological symptoms. Vestibular neuritis is the second cause of peripheral vertigo after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It represents approximately 7% of patients consulting for vertigo. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if wearing Boarding Ring glasses can be accelerated vestibular compensation.

This parallel-group randomized controlled trial aims to determine if the location of the lesion(s) in the vestibular system (unilateral versus bilateral, lateral semi-circular canal versus otolith) impacts the effectiveness of adjunct take-home head-mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR) therapy in improving patient symptomatology. Fifty patients meeting inclusion criteria will be recruited from the principal investigator's neurotology clinic. Baseline symptomatology questionnaires will be completed, followed by random allocation to virtual reality and control groups. Vestibular rehabilitation and virtual reality protocols will be adhered to for 4 to 8 weeks, followed by symptomatology questionnaires. Data analysis will be conducted to answer the study's objectives.