Publication:

Effectiveness of Epley's maneuver alone without any drugs in the treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a prospective analytical study

Background Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (p-BPPV) is the most common peripheral vestibular problem. Many doctors use three treatment options for p-BPPV: drugs alone, Epley’s maneuver with drugs, and Epley’s maneuver alone. Many studies say that Epley’s maneuver with drugs improves the condition much more effectively than drugs alone. Our study is intended to assess the effectiveness of Epley’s maneuver alone in treating posterior canal BPPV.

Methods A prospective analytical study was performed on 102 patients who were divided into 2 groups after random sampling. Group I underwent repeated applications of Epley’s maneuver alone, and group II underwent a single Epley’s maneuver along with drugs. The data were collected systematically with the help of a proforma and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score chart. The patients were reviewed after 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month.

Results In our study, the mean pre-treatment DHI score of group I was 66.71, and group II was 64.39. After 24 hours, the DHI score came down to 46 and 47.61 respectively, and after 1 week and 1 month, it decreased to 33.06 and 22.86, respectively in group I and group II, it came to 44.71 and 38.78, respectively. The difference in mean DHI score between groups I and II is statistically significant, with each review having a p value of 0.00.

Conclusions This study was able to demonstrate the efficacy of Epley's maneuver in the treatment of BPPV without any drug.