Brandt-Daroff exercise for vertigo

Treatment Overview

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is one of several exercises intended to speed up the compensation process and end the symptoms of vertigo. It often is prescribed for people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and sometimes for labyrinthitis. These exercises will not cure these conditions, but over time they can reduce symptoms of vertigo.

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is done as follows:

• Sit on the edge of a bed or sofa, and quickly lean to the side that causes the worst vertigo. You should end up lying on your side with your ear down.
• Remain in this position until either the vertigo goes away or 30 seconds have passed.
• Sit up. If this causes vertigo, wait for it to stop. Repeat the procedure on the other side.

People using this exercise usually are instructed to do 20 repetitions of the exercise at least twice a day.

What To Expect After Treatment

Symptoms sometimes suddenly go away during an exercise period. More often, improvement occurs gradually over a period of weeks or months.

Why It Is Done

The Brandt-Daroff exercise and other similar exercises are used to treat BPPV and sometimes to treat labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis.

How Well It Works

The Brandt-Daroff exercise does not help relieve the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as well as the Semont maneuver or the modified Epley procedure.¹

But these exercises can help your body get used to the confusing signals that are causing your vertigo. This may help you get over your vertigo sooner.

Risks

There are no risks in doing these exercises. You should be careful not to lie down too quickly to avoid hitting your head or developing minor neck injuries.

What To Think About

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is effective in relieving symptoms of BPPV and possibly other conditions causing vertigo. But this exercise may cause vertigo and the nausea and vomiting that sometimes accompany it. This can discourage people from continuing the exercise, especially when the vertigo is severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting.

Vertigo often goes away without treatment, so it is hard to know just how effective this exercise really is.

Other similar exercises may also be recommended by your doctor to help resolve your vertigo symptoms.

Complete the special treatment information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this treatment.

References

Citations

1. Fife TD, et al. (2008). Practice parameter: Therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence-based review). Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 70(22): 2067-2074.

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