Subconscious vibrotactile stimulation improves mobility and balance in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy: adherence over 2 years

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of daily use of subconscious vibrotactile stimulation in bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) patients, who judged the effect of vestibular rehabilitation as insufficient. METHODS: BVP patients were asked to wear a subconscious vibrotactile stimulation belt for 2 h. Patients who reported benefit after 2 h of use, were instructed to wear a subconscious vibrotactile stimulation belt in daily life, for up to more than 2 years. Follow-up consultations (mostly by telephone calls) were scheduled after 2 weeks, 2 months, 1 year, and 2 years of use. During these consultations, adherence and the self-reported overall Balance and Mobility Score (BMS) were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one BVP patients were included. Regarding adherence, 74% of patients ( = 89) wanted to proceed with daily use at home after 2 h of try out. Of these patients, 90% ( = 80) was still wearing the belt daily after 2 months, and at least 81% ( = 72) after 1 year and 73% ( = 65) after 2 years. It should be noted that lack of adherence after 1 and 2 years resulted from a loss to follow-up. All patients responding to telephone consultations in the 2 years follow up were wearing a subconscious vibrotactile stimulation belt daily. The median BMS score significantly improved within 2 h of use, from 4 to 6 points ( < 0.0001). Compared to baseline, the median BMS score significantly improved with >=3 points after 2 weeks, 2 months, 1 year, and 2 years of daily use ( < 0.0001). Long-term adherence was high in patients who experienced an increase of two or more points on the BMS, after 2 weeks of daily use. CONCLUSION: The Subconscious vibrotactile stimulation improves self-reported balance and mobility in a subgroup of motivated BVP patients in which vestibular rehabilitation is insufficient.