Does the Self-training in Ménière's Disease Fit the Disease Characteristics and Help Alleviate the Balance Problems?

Background: To examine whether the self-initiated exercise in Ménière's disease fits the characteristics of the balance problems.

Methods: This retrospective study included 539 people with Ménière's disease belonging to the Finnish Ménière Federation. The mean age was 61.9 years with a mean history of Ménière's disease of 15.6 years. The data were collected with an online questionnaire.

Results: In total, 30% of the patients did not do any training, 23% did training once a week, 22% did 2-3 times a week, and 26% did the training daily. The most common training exercises were different self-training exercises (26%) followed by walking (16%), guided training (15%), viewing plus balance training (10%), and viewing training (4%). Non-defined balance problems (18%) were associated with recent vertigo attacks. Swaying type of balance problems were present in 23% and they used all types of training programs. Rocking type of balance disorder was present in 8% and they preferred guided training exercises. Tripping off type of balance disorder was present in 25% and they preferred viewing plus balance training.

Conclusions: The type of self-training used was related to the type of balance problems reported. When choosing the vestibular rehabilitation in Ménière's disease , the type of balance disorder should be characterized and the rehabilitation program should be individually tailored.