Implementation outcomes of a sensory integration therapy program with computerized dynamic posturography in patients with balance and sensory dysfunction

Objective:We describe the first-year implementation experience of an Instrumented Sensory Integration Therapy Program in Audiological&Balance Center patients.Design:This is a retrospective descriptive study.Participants included Seventy-three adults with diagnoses of acute,episodic,or chronic vestibular syndromes.They were classified into the following two groups:group 1 included 46 individuals treated with ISIT plus VRT,and group 2 included 27 individuals treated only with ISIT.Results:The Sensory Organization Test(SOT)for both groups showed a statistical significance for all three sensory inputs;visual systems(G1:p=0.0003;G2:p=0.0337),vestibular system(G1:p<0.0001;G2:p=0.0003),and balance as demonstrated by compound balance score(G1:p<0.0001;G2:p=0.0035),and balance percentage deficit(G1:p<0.0001;G2:p=0.0078).Conclusions:The severity and complexity of functional neurological disorders in the context of vestibular syndromes seem to require between 10 and 20 therapy sessions,and combined ISIT plus VRT appears to be more effective than ISIT as a monotherapy.

Angioplasty and stenting for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis: effects on cerebellar function remodeling verified by blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging

Vertebral artery orifice stenting may improve blood supply of the posterior circulation of the brain to regions such as the cerebellum and brainstem. However, previous studies have mainly focused on recovery of cerebral blood flow and perfusion in the posterior circulation after interventional therapy. This study examined the effects of functional recovery of local brain tissue on cerebellar function remodeling using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic reso- nance imaging before and after interventional therapy. A total of 40 Chinese patients with severe unilateral vertebral artery orifice stenosis were enrolled in this study. Patients were equally and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group received drug treat- ment only. The intervention group received vertebral artery orifice angioplasty and stenting ＋ identical drug treatment to the control group. At 13 days after treatment, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score was compared between the intervention and control groups. Cerebellar function remodeling was observed between the two groups using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging. The improvement in dizziness handicap and cerebellar function was more obvious in the intervention group than in the control group. Interventional therapy for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis may effectively promote cerebellar function remodeling and exert neuroprotective effects.