Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study

Background: Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation (VR) with physiotherapy support, known as blended VR, was effective in reducing vestibular symptoms in a recent randomised controlled trial. Blended VR is a complex intervention comprised of physiotherapeutic visits, the vertigo training website,...

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Main Authors: Vincent A van Vugt, Anja JThCM de Kruif, Johannes C van der Wouden, Henriëtte E van der Horst, Otto R Maarsingh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Royal College of General Practitioners 2020-10-01
Series:BJGP Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://bjgpopen.org/content/4/5/bjgpopen20X101092
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author Vincent A van Vugt
Anja JThCM de Kruif
Johannes C van der Wouden
Henriëtte E van der Horst
Otto R Maarsingh
author_facet Vincent A van Vugt
Anja JThCM de Kruif
Johannes C van der Wouden
Henriëtte E van der Horst
Otto R Maarsingh
author_sort Vincent A van Vugt
collection DOAJ
description Background: Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation (VR) with physiotherapy support, known as blended VR, was effective in reducing vestibular symptoms in a recent randomised controlled trial. Blended VR is a complex intervention comprised of physiotherapeutic visits, the vertigo training website, and VR exercises. Because of these interacting components, it is important to understand how blended VR works, for whom it works best, and how it should ideally be delivered. Aim: To investigate the experiences of both patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based VR. Design & setting: A qualitative interview study was performed with patients who received blended internet-based VR with physiotherapy support, and physiotherapists who provided this support. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 patients and eight physiotherapists after the 6-month follow-up of the randomised trial. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Results: According to both patients and physiotherapists, the physiotherapist visits were useful in providing personal attention, helping patients safely execute exercises, and improving patients’ adherence to therapy. Some patients said they did not need physiotherapist support and, according to physiotherapists, both the necessity and the optimal way to deliver guidance differed greatly between patients. The Vertigo Training website and exercises provided patients with a sense of control over their symptoms. Patients reported that the VR exercises were easy to perform and most patients continued to use them long after the trial ended. Conclusion: In blended VR, physiotherapeutic visits appear to offer benefits above the vertigo training website and VR exercises alone. Physiotherapy support may best be used when individually tailored.
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spelling doaj.art-60de029663d64ea08df3baf6cbecd7132022-12-21T19:02:52ZengRoyal College of General PractitionersBJGP Open2398-37952020-10-014510.3399/bjgpopen20X101092Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview studyVincent A van Vugt0Anja JThCM de Kruif1Johannes C van der Wouden2Henriëtte E van der Horst3Otto R Maarsingh4Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsBackground: Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation (VR) with physiotherapy support, known as blended VR, was effective in reducing vestibular symptoms in a recent randomised controlled trial. Blended VR is a complex intervention comprised of physiotherapeutic visits, the vertigo training website, and VR exercises. Because of these interacting components, it is important to understand how blended VR works, for whom it works best, and how it should ideally be delivered. Aim: To investigate the experiences of both patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based VR. Design & setting: A qualitative interview study was performed with patients who received blended internet-based VR with physiotherapy support, and physiotherapists who provided this support. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 patients and eight physiotherapists after the 6-month follow-up of the randomised trial. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Results: According to both patients and physiotherapists, the physiotherapist visits were useful in providing personal attention, helping patients safely execute exercises, and improving patients’ adherence to therapy. Some patients said they did not need physiotherapist support and, according to physiotherapists, both the necessity and the optimal way to deliver guidance differed greatly between patients. The Vertigo Training website and exercises provided patients with a sense of control over their symptoms. Patients reported that the VR exercises were easy to perform and most patients continued to use them long after the trial ended. Conclusion: In blended VR, physiotherapeutic visits appear to offer benefits above the vertigo training website and VR exercises alone. Physiotherapy support may best be used when individually tailored.https://bjgpopen.org/content/4/5/bjgpopen20X101092general practiceprimary health caredizzinessvertigointernet-based vestibular rehabilitationblended carequalitative researchvestibular symptoms
spellingShingle Vincent A van Vugt
Anja JThCM de Kruif
Johannes C van der Wouden
Henriëtte E van der Horst
Otto R Maarsingh
Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
BJGP Open
general practice
primary health care
dizziness
vertigo
internet-based vestibular rehabilitation
blended care
qualitative research
vestibular symptoms
title Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
title_full Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
title_fullStr Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
title_full_unstemmed Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
title_short Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study
title_sort experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet based vestibular rehabilitation a qualitative interview study
topic general practice
primary health care
dizziness
vertigo
internet-based vestibular rehabilitation
blended care
qualitative research
vestibular symptoms
url https://bjgpopen.org/content/4/5/bjgpopen20X101092
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AT johannescvanderwouden experiencesofpatientsandphysiotherapistswithblendedinternetbasedvestibularrehabilitationaqualitativeinterviewstudy
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