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VertiGo Exercise (AR)

VertiGo Exercise (AR) app

The app is advertised as being suitable for people with Vertigo. It's available in English and Hindi.

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VertiGo Exercise (AR)	By VertiGo Exercise (AR)
	Features Difficult to know – as the app is mostly unusable.
Country of origin	India
Clinical review	Read a clinical review, including safety concerns, below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? No Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link)

The app developers claim the app is for vertigo patients, and that it uses augmented reality (AR) via a virtual trainer with the goal of recovering from vertigo by giving information and education on vertigo and related conditions.

For the complete app description, go to Google Play(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ The app does state that it is not intended to replace a medical consultation, and strongly advises that users see a doctor. ✔ The app developers state that it has audio and visual guides through 21 vestibular exercises and reminders for medication and exercise schedules – all of which may be helpful for users. However, these have not been reviewed as part of this app review due to inability to access. ✔ Online search suggests the app appears to have been developed by the Indian branch of a large pharmaceutical company.	✘ The app only works with a marker which it states will be provided by a doctor. There is also a download for a marker available in the drop down menu on the app. ✘ App has not been updated since June 2017 despite negative feedback from users that it does not work well due to the marker. ✘ HOWEVER, when attempting to download the marker from the app the web page is not available. ✘ A large number of users posted reviews saying that the marker didn't work, and the experience of this reviewer is that the main app features are inaccessible. ✘ An online search for the marker by the reviewer yielded zero results. ✘ You can't access the exercises or prescriptions without the marker. However, you can access the diet information. ✘ The diet information has 2 diets “low-salt diet” and “trigger-foods”, however, they're not comprehensive as each contains only 4 suggestions. ✘ The low-salt diet doesn't comment on foods with low salt. ✘ The app doesn't appear to state that a low salt diet is recommended for people who have been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, or tell the user what to look for (in terms of salt content) when shopping. ✘ The app doesn't appear to advise people with a history of hypotension that they should seek medical advice before commencing this diet (potential safety issue). ✘ Neither diet suggestions include some of the well-known diet advice for helping with vertigo (depending on the cause of the vertigo). ✘ The app doesn't mention which types of vertigo can be helped by diet or which are triggered by certain foods. ✘ The app gives references to journals it has consulted but only 2 journals and 1 website are listed.

PROS

CONS

✔ The app does state that it is not intended to replace a medical consultation, and strongly advises that users see a doctor.

✔ The app developers state that it has audio and visual guides through 21 vestibular exercises and reminders for medication and exercise schedules – all of which may be helpful for users. However, these have not been reviewed as part of this app review due to inability to access.

✔ Online search suggests the app appears to have been developed by the Indian branch of a large pharmaceutical company.

✘ The app only works with a marker which it states will be provided by a doctor. There is also a download for a marker available in the drop down menu on the app.

✘ App has not been updated since June 2017 despite negative feedback from users that it does not work well due to the marker.

✘ HOWEVER, when attempting to download the marker from the app the web page is not available.

✘ A large number of users posted reviews saying that the marker didn't work, and the experience of this reviewer is that the main app features are inaccessible.

✘ An online search for the marker by the reviewer yielded zero results.

✘ You can't access the exercises or prescriptions without the marker. However, you can access the diet information.

✘ The diet information has 2 diets “low-salt diet” and “trigger-foods”, however, they're not comprehensive as each contains only 4 suggestions.

✘ The low-salt diet doesn't comment on foods with low salt.

✘ The app doesn't appear to state that a low salt diet is recommended for people who have been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, or tell the user what to look for (in terms of salt content) when shopping.

✘ The app doesn't appear to advise people with a history of hypotension that they should seek medical advice before commencing this diet (potential safety issue).

✘ Neither diet suggestions include some of the well-known diet advice for helping with vertigo (depending on the cause of the vertigo).

✘ The app doesn't mention which types of vertigo can be helped by diet or which are triggered by certain foods.

✘ The app gives references to journals it has consulted but only 2 journals and 1 website are listed.

Clinical review

Reviewer: 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: 1.1
Comments: The main features of the app are unusable without scanning a marker provided by a doctor. User reviews give 2.2 stars, with the majority giving negative reviews.
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.
Safety concerns: Yes. The app appears to have caused stress for many users because they cannot get it to work (see app reviews). Noting limited access to the app by the reviewer. The app does not seem to specify the different types of vertigo it is appropriate for (eg, vertigo has different causes and triggers, requiring different types of treatment and exercises).
New Zealand relevance: No – The reviewer has enquired with multiple GPs, Nurses, Physiotherapists and a Neurologist in New Zealand and none have heard of the app or know how to provide patients with the necessary marker. The apps features are therefore inaccessible.

Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
Vertigo apps
New Zealand-based apps
NZ Health App Library

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.