Effect of Intermittent Hypoxia Training for Dizziness: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of intermittent hypoxia training (IHT) for dizziness.

METHODS

A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. All participants were recruited from a rehabilitation department in an acute university-affiliated hospital.

METHODS

Participants with dizziness were randomly assigned to two groups (IHT group and control group). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Vertigo Visual Analog Scale (VVAS) were conducted at baseline, end of the 4th week.

RESULTS

Among 52 subjects, eighteen males and thirty four females, ages from 35 to 62 years old (mean ± SD = 46.9 ± 7.93). Time length since onset ranged from 12 months to 34 months (20.2±7.15 months). DHI, ABC, VVAS scores and attack frequencies of dizziness were improved after IH training intervention in the end of 4th week. There were significant differences between IHT group and control group in DHI, ABC, VVAS scores and attack frequencies of dizziness in the end of 4th week (P<0.05). No adverse events occurred during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

IHT could improve dizziness after intervention in end of 4th week. IHT could be the effective method for releasing dizziness.