Epley's canalith-repositioning manoeuvre for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

The efficacy of the Epley's canalith-repositioning manoeuvre in the treatment of BPPV was assessed in this prospective study of 62 patients. Patients were selected based on symptoms of positional vertigo and positive Dix-Hallpike's positional test. Patients were divided into two groups; first group comprising 34 patients underwent Epley's manoeuvre alone where as the other group comprising 28 patients underwent Epley's manoeuvre along with mastoid oscillator. At the end of 1 month patients were assessed subjectively by visual analogue scale (VAS) and objectively by Dix-Hallpike's positional test. On VAS, 85.7% patients had complete resolution of symptoms of BPPV in both the groups. Objectively 88.2% did not have positional nysfagmus after 1 month in first group whereas in the second group 86% had complete response at the end of 1 month of therapy. Follow up of 6 months could be done in 38 patients, out of which 7 (18.4%) had recurrence of their symptom of vertigo and positive Dix-Hallpike's positional test, whereas one patient continued to have no relief by Epley's manoeuvre. There was no difference in subjective and objective parameters even when CRP was performed using mastoid vibrator.