Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Elderly: Treatment by Habituation Exercises

Exercise treatment has become generally accepted as therapy for some types of vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) has been very successfully treated by vestibular habituation training (VHT). This is an exercise treatment whereby the patient is repeatedly exposed to the maneuvers eliciting vertigo. Elderly patients treated by VHT also showed very satisfying results, albeit the therapeutic effect developed somewhat slower than in the younger patients. In the scope of the problem of "falling in the elderly," the therapeutic effect for BPPV is worth emphasizing.