EVIDENCE-BASED VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO THE TREATMENT OF BALANCE DISORDERS AND DIZZINESS

Abstract

Vestibular physiotherapy has been consolidated as an essential resource in the treatment of balance disorders and dizziness, being recognized as a highly effective and low-risk clinical practice. This study aims to critically analyze the foundations, innovative approaches, and clinical evidence related to evidence-based vestibular rehabilitation, highlighting its relevance to functional improvement and patients’ quality of life. The research was characterized as a literature review, conducted in high-credibility scientific databases between 2019 and 2021, prioritizing studies that investigated conventional and digital physiotherapeutic interventions. The results showed that vestibular exercises promote significant gains in postural balance, gaze stability, self-confidence, and performance in daily living activities, with a strong impact especially on older adults, a group more susceptible to falls and functional limitations. In addition to traditional methods, technological innovations such as virtual reality, wearable sensors, and telerehabilitation platforms were found to enhance treatment adherence and expand accessibility. The comparative analysis of the studies revealed that the combination of classical and digital strategies generates a highly promising hybrid model, capable of strengthening neuroplasticity mechanisms and promoting a more comprehensive recovery. It is concluded that evidence-based vestibular physiotherapy constitutes an indispensable practice in contemporary healthcare, constantly evolving, sustained by scientific rigor and driven by innovations that make it increasingly effective and accessible.