[A randomized controlled trial on short-term efficacy of the modified Semont maneuver for the treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective: To observe the short-term efficacy of modified Semont maneuver for posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) Method: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial on 130 PC-BPPV patients. Subjects were randomized divided into two groups: modified Semont (65 patients),and Epley(65 patients).Each maneuver was repeated twice,and the presence of sequelae,nystagmus and vertigo on positional testing were evaluated 3rd day and 1 week after treatment. Result: Five patients were lost to follow up (all five in the modified Semont group),and three patients failed to complete treatment (all three in the Epley group). The sequelae at the 3rd day and one week after modified Semont maneuver were 27 and 9,while 41 and 15 in Epley group. The efficacy rates at the 3rd day and one week after modified Semont maneuver were 91.7% and 98.3%,and 91.9% and 96.8% in Epley group retrospectively. The sequelae and short-term effective rate of patients in modified Semont group was no difference when compared with that in Epley group ( P >0.05). Conclusion: Modified Semont maneuver represents a simple rapid and effective approach to the treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.