Efficacy of a digital application for the treatment of vestibular vertigo – First results from a randomized clinical trial

Introduction Vestibular vertigo is one of the most common causes of incapacity for work. The DiGA Vertidisan (Digitineers) enables the digital application of a therapeutic training program for patients with vestibular vertigo. The DiGA mainly includes (i) ABEV exercises (adaptive balance movements, eye-movements and visual stimulation), (ii) health education (HE) and (iii) CBT interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy) together with progressive muscle relaxation (PMS according to Jacobson) and autogenic training (AT).

Materials and methods A randomized, prospective, group-controlled clinical trial (GEVE I-study) with 212 patients was conducted to investigate the clinical efficacy. The experimental group used Vertidisan, the control group received physiotherapy. Dizziness intensity was measured using the German version of the validated Vertigo Subscale VSS-sf-VER. The primary variable was defined as the difference between the T0 to T3 score changes of the app group and the control group in the Vss-sf-VER.

Results In the DiGA-ITT group, there was a statistically significant reduction in the VSS-sf-VER score from baseline to week 12 with an average of -68.9% (-13.05 score points). In comparison, the physiotherapy-ITT group showed a considerably lower reduction of -14.8% (-1.94 score points). The confirmatory intergroup comparison revealed a mean treatment difference (LS mean) between the DiGA group and the physiotherapy group of -8.3 score points (CI: -9.9; -6.6, p<0.0001).

Conclusion The results indicate a superiority of DiGA Vertidisan over conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of vestibular vertigo.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
19 April 2024