Ai Chi-Based Rehabilitation for Peripheral Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction
AICHI-VR
Contribution of an Ai Chi-Based Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Peripheral Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction: A Randomized Prospective Single-Blind Study
1 other identifier
interventional
38
0 countries
N/A
Brief Summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of an Ai Chi-based rehabilitation program on balance, dizziness severity, and quality of life in patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises or an intervention group receiving additional Ai Chi sessions. The intervention will be conducted over a 4-week period with a total of 10 sessions under the supervision of a certified therapist.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Apr 2026
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 23, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
April 27, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
April 30, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
May 27, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
July 27, 2026
April 30, 2026
April 1, 2026
1 month
April 23, 2026
April 23, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Change in balance performance assessed by Berg Balance Scale
Change in balance performance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale in participants receiving Ai Chi-based exercise program in addition to home-based vestibular rehabilitation, compared with participants receiving home-based vestibular rehabilitation alone.
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
Secondary Outcomes (8)
Change in dizziness-related disability assessed by Dizziness Handicap Inventory
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
Change in dizziness severity assessed by Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
Change in kinesiophobia assessed by Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
Change in quality of life assessed by Short Form-36
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
Change in balance confidence assessed by Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale
Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 2 months after the end of treatment
- +3 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Ai Chi Group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in this group will receive an Ai Chi-based aquatic exercise program in addition to standard home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises. The Ai Chi program will be applied over 4 weeks with a total of 10 sessions under the supervision of a certified therapist.
Control Group
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in this group will receive standard home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises without additional Ai Chi intervention.
Interventions
Ai Chi-based exercise program is a structured aquatic therapy approach consisting of slow, continuous, and controlled movements combined with breathing techniques. The program will be conducted in a pool environment over 4 weeks, with a total of 10 sessions delivered as group sessions under the supervision of a certified therapist. The exercises are designed to enhance balance, postural control, proprioceptive input, and multisensory integration, thereby supporting central compensation in patients with vestibular dysfunction.
Participants will receive a structured home-based vestibular rehabilitation program including gaze stabilization, head movement, balance, and postural control exercises. The program aims to promote vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation, improve postural stability, and reduce dizziness-related symptoms. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises regularly, and adherence will be monitored using exercise logs.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age between 18 and 70 years Diagnosis of unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction Presence of dizziness symptoms for at least 3 months Ability to participate in Ai Chi and aquatic exercise program Berg Balance Scale score ≥21 Willingness to participate in the study
You may not qualify if:
- Inability to complete assessment tests and questionnaires Severe systemic disease that may interfere with exercise participation Central vestibular disorders Berg Balance Scale score ≤20 Severe visual or hearing impairment Initiation or change of psychiatric medication within the last 3 weeks Severe cardiopulmonary disease Contraindications to hydrotherapy, including water phobia, behavioral disorders, dyspnea at rest, incontinence, known chlorine allergy, open wounds, acute systemic illness, epilepsy, tracheostomy, permanent drainage devices, immunodeficiency, or known neurological disorders
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Related Publications (4)
Kurt EE, Buyukturan B, Buyukturan O, Erdem HR, Tuncay F. Effects of Ai Chi on balance, quality of life, functional mobility, and motor impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease<sup/> Disabil Rehabil. 2018 Apr;40(7):791-797. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1276972. Epub 2017 Jan 13.
PMID: 28084851BACKGROUNDCovill LG, Utley C, Hochstein C. Comparison of Ai Chi and Impairment-Based Aquatic Therapy for Older Adults With Balance Problems: A Clinical Study. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2017 Oct/Dec;40(4):204-213. doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000100.
PMID: 27490823BACKGROUNDPereira CMM, Pinheiro do Vale JS, de Oliveira WP, Pinto DDS, Cal RVR, de Azevedo YJ, Bahmad F Jr. Aquatic physiotherapy: a vestibular rehabilitation option. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Nov-Dec;87(6):649-654. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2019.12.003. Epub 2020 Jan 13.
PMID: 32035856BACKGROUNDElbar O, Tzedek I, Vered E, Shvarth G, Friger M, Melzer I. A water-based training program that includes perturbation exercises improves speed of voluntary stepping in older adults: a randomized controlled cross-over trial. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2013 Jan-Feb;56(1):134-40. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2012.08.003. Epub 2012 Aug 28.
PMID: 22951028BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Masking Details
- Outcome assessments will be performed by a blinded evaluator who is unaware of group allocation.
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER GOV
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 23, 2026
First Posted
April 30, 2026
Study Start
April 27, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
May 27, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
July 27, 2026
Last Updated
April 30, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-04