Clinical review
Reviewers: Dr Rachael Taylor, PhD, MAud, PGDipSci, BSc, MNZAS. Research Fellow and Vestibular Audiologist, the University of Auckland, Department of Physiology.
Vanessa Simpson BHSc (Physiotherapy), NZRP. Senior Vestibular and Neurological Physiotherapist and Educator. Owner of Vertigo Balance Clinic.
Tania Linford MNZAS, BSc, Maud, PGDip Couns. Senior Clinical Audiologist. Owner and operator of Tinnitus Relief Limited.
Date of review: June 2023
Platform: Apple
Version: 2.0
Comments: Excellent app for demonstrating a particular treatment (Semont and Semont Plus) for BPPV under the guidance of a vestibular specialist. The treatment manoeuvres demonstrated are accurate, with clear verbal instructions, and support patients visually in performing the exercises.
Please note: It is essential that vertigo, dizziness and other balance disorders are properly and fully assessed and diagnosed by a medical professional or specialist, and their advice is followed, prior to users attempting to use vertigo apps.
The developers are world leaders in vestibular medicine. The treatment manoeuvres demonstrated are based on sound research. They have demonstrated treatment manoeuvres for a particular type of BPPV accurately to assist patients at home. The app contains a lot of information about BPPV and includes answers to frequently asked questions.
Safety concerns: None. However it is important that the user understands that the manoeuvres presented in the app may induce (or make worse) vertigo and dizziness during the movement; it is therefore recommended to perform them under supervision.
The guided manoeuvres are only suitable for a particular type (posterior canal) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and are not suitable or helpful for other types or causes of vertigo.
It would be good if the app included advice that the user should seek medical attention if symptoms have not resolved after a few days in case they have the crystals in an alternate canal (or stuck to the cupula), which might benefit from one of the other manoeuvres, or an alternate diagnosis which can mimic BPPV.
New Zealand relevance: The app is relevant to a New Zealand audience but it is only available in English and German.
