The identification of residual BPPV by telephone treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can we correctly identify patients who have residual Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) by a telephone follow up appointment?
IRAS ID
204308
Contact name
Karolina Kluk-de Kort
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 27 days
Research summary
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo that commonly affects older people. It is caused when calcium crystals present in the inner ear become dislodged and migrate into one of the semicircular canals. When the head moves in particular positions such as looking up, looking down and turning over in bed, there is a resultant sensation of vertigo due to the loose crystals present. BPPV can be treated in clinic using the Epley manoeuvre, a canalith-repositioning manoeuvre, which has a high success rate of 62 to 76% after one treatment but more treatments may be required. Follow up appointments are currently offered to all patients who attend BPPV screening appointments to identify whether residual dizziness is still present. In order for the NHS to potentially save money in the implementation of their follow up services, telephone appointments could be used. This study aims to identify if validated questionnaires can be used in telephone appointments to identify patients who still have residual dizziness and therefore offer them further treatment. Patients attending BPPV screening sessions will answer set questions and a validated questionnaire and those who are identified as having posterior canal BPPV, the most common type, will be given written information about the study and asked for consent to participate. The Epley manoeuvre will be performed on any patient where BPPV is evident. After consent has been provided, the patient will be called one day before their scheduled follow up appointment and asked questions regarding whether their dizziness is still present. At the follow up appointment the patient will be tested for BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre. The outcome from the questionnaire regarding the presence of BPPV will be compared and analysed against the results from the Dix-Hallpike test.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0388
Date of REC Opinion
1 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion