Vertex: Vertigo Exercises app

Get the app:

(external link)

Read a clinical review of this app.

• collect medical information? No
• require a login? No
• Can be password protected No
• have a privacy policy? No
• require internet access? No

Read more safety tips around health apps.

Free

✔ The app clearly states that it's not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment each time you open the app.

✔ Demonstrates the Epley manoeuvre however the instructions are not 100% accurate and vary slightly from other medical guidelines for the manoeuvres.

✔ Includes animations on how to perform the head movements/positions, which may be helpful in terms of the specifics of the manoeuvre.

✔ Has a timer to guide user on how long to stay in a position.

✔ If used correctly, the phone’s inbuilt accelerometer can potentially help instruct the user through head exercises at the correct angle. In theory this should help to optimise the efficacy of the procedure (depending on reliable positioning of the phone in comparison to the head).

✘ Only available on Android and Windows (however the app uses the phone’s inbuilt accelerometer which cannot be used with a computer).

✘ Windows download is an APK (Android Package Kit) file which the reviewer couldn't open on a PC.

✘ The app has not received any user ratings or reviews to date.

✘ It's not clear if the app has been developed by a medical or health professional.

✘ The app offers a “right/left ear test” which appears to have the intended purpose of diagnosing the affected side and determines which test should follow (eg, “You have vertigo in your right ear”, determines the “Right Epley Exercise” manoeuvre). However, diagnosis by a medical professional or specialist in vestibular disorders is essential for vertigo, dizziness and other balance disorders for proper and full assessment and diagnosis.

✘ Arrows on the app guide head movements, however, this depends on the user having the phone at the correct angle/position in relation to their head.

✘ The app doesn't state what the manoeuvres are intended for (eg, the Epley manoeuvre can be used for treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), but is ineffective for other causes/types of vertigo, however the app does not state this).

✘ The app demonstrates the Brandt-Daroff exercises which are not an effective treatment for BPPV or supported by the International Clinical Practice Guideline for BPPV, as these exercises are for habituation (desensitisation of the central nervous system), as opposed to particle repositioning (of the loose crystals).

✘ The app demonstrates the Epley manoeuvre which is not shown with 100% accuracy and therefore may not be effective.

✘ The app indicates that the pillow is used to support the head, however it is important that it supports the back and shoulders (not the head) and it is also important that the head is brought down past the pillow.

✘ No safety warnings on the app to advise users of the risks of performing these manoeuvres on their own.

✘ The app does not provide any information on BPPV or other vertigo disorders.

✘ There is no advice to seek further medical attention if the manoeuvres fail to fix the problem or if there are other ear or neurological symptoms.