RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 An iPhone-Assisted Particle Repositioning Maneuver for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A Prospective Randomized Study
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 118
OP 120
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2015.01.120295
VO 28
IS 1
A1 Brock Organ
A1 Hao Liu
A1 Matthew Bromwich
YR 2015
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/28/1/118.abstract
AB Purpose: The Epley particle repositioning maneuver (PRM) is an effective treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of peripheral vertigo in primary care settings. The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of an iPhone application (DizzyFIX; Clearwater Clinical Ltd, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) by medical students had a significant impact on the performance of the PRM.Methods: We recruited senior medical students who had previously been trained in the management of BPPV and asked them to perform the PRM on a healthy volunteer. One half of the students used a real iPhone application, whereas the others used a sham application. The PRM performance scores of the 2 groups were compared.Results: iPhone application users scored significantly higher on their PRM performance compared with controls (P < .0001) and performed the PRM significantly more slowly (P < .0001).Conclusions: Senior medical students performed a more correct PRM when assisted by the iPhone application. This application represents a significant improvement from standard medical school training using written instructions. Family physicians could also use this iPhone application for the quick and effective treatment of BPPV.