Efficacy of particle repositioning maneuver in BPPV: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: A single blinded prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to determine the efficacy of particle repositioning maneuver (PRM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 40 patients, 20 underwent PRM with the rest receiving a placebo treatment. Postprocedural instructions were given to all the patients who underwent PRM. Follow-up was for 1 year at regular intervals. Analysis was based on the symptomatic status and the Hallpike maneuver at each visit.

RESULTS: After the initial week, 95% showed complete resolution of symptoms with none reporting a recurrence after PRM. On the contrary, only 15% of the controls had complete resolution with 14 out of 20 reporting a recurrence of BPPV. Results remained more or less the same at the end of 4 weeks. Six months after PRM, 19 of 20 patients had no vertigo with a meager 5% showing recurrence versus 75% of controls reporting a recurrence with only 3 of 20 reporting a favorable symptom status. At the end of 1 year, 18 of 20 patients had complete relief from symptoms with only 10% showing Hallpike maneuver positive in the study group compared with 3 of 20 reporting a relief from symptoms with 90% turning out to be Hallpike maneuver positive in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes the efficacy of PRM in short- and long-term management of BPPV; the procedure is easy and simple.