Telefonoaudiologia e reabilitação vestibular : benefícios e desafios

Abstract

To analyze the benefits and challenges of telephonoaudiology in vestibular rehabilitation. Method: clinical, prospective and exploratory study. Nineteen patients aged ranged from 22 to 74 years were submitted to the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) - Brazilian brief, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) which evaluated, respectively, functional and dynamic balance, risk for falls and the impact from dizziness to quality of life. They were submitted to vestibular rehabilitation through telephonoaudiology with the WhatsApp platform. The Correlation Matrix tests with Pearson's Coefficient (r=1) and the Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis with p < 5%. Results: By the initial evaluation the DGI (10.7 points) and TUG (13.2s) results showed risk for falls. DHI scores (54.3 points) indicated impaired of quality of life. There was a strong and positive correlation between DHI and TUG (r=0.79). From the post-treatment analysis of 12 patients, the Wilcoxon test revealed p=0.049* for the DGI, p=0.026* for the TUG, and p=0.0025* for the DHI, which revealed the benefit of telephonic intervention for this sample. Conclusion: Telephonoaudiology in vestibular rehabilitation verified benefits because it improved functional and dynamic balance and reduced the risk of falling. Internet access, adherence to the program and handling difficulties were the challenges founded, however, the intervention proposal was possible and provide care for patients in the rural areas of the state, optimized the time spent commuting and reduced the negative impact on quality of life.