Summary
This dissertation deals with the case of Mr J., 27, who suffers from vestibular neuritis on
the right side. The symptoms of this peripheral vestibular deficiency are important
rotational vertigoes which come with significant neurovegetative signs and which lead to
balance troubles. Our patient’s physiotherapy started four days after the appearance of the
first symptoms, lasted for three weeks and required seven sessions. Through these lines
we’ll discover the vestibular physiotherapy and the very specific techniques it requires.
Our care was confronted with the patient’s fear of a possible come back of vertigoes.
Indeed, vertigoes are particularly harrowing and anxiety-provoking because of their brutal
outbreak and of the unfamiliarity of their unexplained and new sensations. This work gives
an account of the physiotherapy with the use of a swivel chair and other special equipment.
It aims at stimulating the central compensation of the vestibular deficiency and at the
disappearance of vertigoes. Another element to be found in this work is a statement of the
difficulties of treating an anxious patient. Indeed, as he was frightened at the possible
outbreak of a new vertigo, he tended to adopt what we call the “avoidance behaviour”.
However, this strategy is not good for the evolution of the treatment.
Keywords:
□ Vestibular neuritis
□ Dizziness, vertigo
□ Balance disorders
□ Anxiety, fear, anguish
□ Vestibular rehabilitation
□ Vestibular compensation
BUELLET
(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)