Purpose of the guideline: |
Vestibular symptoms, including dizziness, vertigo, and postural instability, are among the most common complaints presented by patients visiting emergency department and outpatient clinic. Stroke is a crucial factor contributing to these vestibular symptoms, and their persistence can hinder or exacerbate the functional recovery of stroke patients. Additionally, it can easily trigger psychological issues such as anxiety and depression, with approximately 50% of patients developing chronic dizziness within a few years, significantly impacting their daily lives. However, the related vestibular symptoms induced by stroke have not been widely recognized in clinical practice. Clinicians often focus solely on symptomatic relief for vertigo symptoms, lacking targeted and effective treatment methods. Many rehabilitation physicians and therapists also have limited understanding of assessment and treatment methods for vestibular rehabilitation. The prognosis and influencing factors of such patients remain unclear.
Given these circumstances and considering the international impact of the vestibular symptom classification concept first proposed by the Barany Society in 2009, domestic vestibular rehabilitation, particularly in the context of stroke vestibular rehabilitation, is still in its early stages. It faces challenges such as the lack of assessment and treatment standards and insufficient standardization. This consensus integrates the latest research findings and clinical practice experiences from both domestic and international sources, detailing the characteristics of vestibular symptoms post-stroke and the related vestibular rehabilitation assessment and treatments. The aim is to improve the comprehensive management of stroke patients with vestibular symptoms, promote standardized stroke-related vestibular rehabilitation, enhance rehabilitation outcomes and improve patient’s quality of life. |