A randomised sham-controlled trial to assess the long-term effect of the Epley manoeuvre for treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of the Epley manoeuvre as a therapeutic procedure for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

DESIGN: Randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.

SETTING: A multidisciplinary dizziness unit in a non-academic Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with a duration of at least 1 month. Participants were randomised in two groups of 22 and treated with either the Epley manoeuvre or a sham manoeuvre and followed up for 1 year after treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conversion of a 'positive' Dix-Hallpike test to a 'negative' Dix-Hallpike test, impairments perceived by the dizziness assessed by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Absolute and relative risks were computed, and Fisher's exact test was used to compare the treatments.

RESULTS: Six patients were lost to follow up (five in the sham group, one in the Epley group). The Epley procedure resulted in a treatment success in 20/22 patients (91%) after 12 months of follow-up, whereas the sham procedure had a positive effect in 10/22 patients (46%; P = 0.001). The DHI was significantly lower in the Epley group at all follow-up assessments (median scores 12 months 0 (0-51) versus 20 (0-76), P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: The Epley manoeuvre provides long-term resolution of symptoms in patients with posterior canal BPPV.