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Prediction & Mechanisms of Recovery Following IEDS

NCT06370897 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 41

Last updated 2024-05-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Inner Ear Decompression sickness (IEDS) accounts for 20% of all types of decompression sickness (the bends) in divers. The condition commonly affects the peripheral vestibular system (inner ear). IEDS results in acute symptoms of dizzyness (vertigo) and imbalance. Even with the recommended treatment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy some people do not recovery fully. However, even in the presence of a permanent vestibular deficit many people can show a behavioural recovery where symptoms improve over time. Recovery can be aided by vestibular rehabilitation (VR) which is now routine for acute IEDS but was not provided before 2021, and is not widespread across the UK (United Kingdom) or world, meaning people may have a suboptimal recovery.

This project will investigate if and how people recover after an acute episode of IEDS and whether people who had IEDS in the past show changes in the central (brain) processing of vestibular function and in symptoms of dizziness, balance and posture.

This project has two main parts. Part one is a prospective observational study where people with an acute onset of IEDS are serially monitored while they are receiving hyperbaric treatment and VR over 10-14 days. Part two is a retrospective observational study where who have had IEDS in the past 15 years are re-assessed in a one-off session. The tests in both parts involve clinical tests and specialist eye movement recordings that assess vestibular function. We will also determine the site of any vestibular pathology by using selective stimulation of the vestibular end organ or nerve and assess whether there are any changes in how the structure and function of central vestibular pathways in the brain. In people with chronic IEDS with vestibular symptoms we will offer participants a course of VR over 12 weeks and assess whether this is associated with any improvement in symptoms.

Conditions

  • Decompression Sickness

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Plymouth

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
85 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-06-30
Primary Completion
2028-04-30
Completion
2028-09-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06370897 on ClinicalTrials.gov