AIM: To apply and compare the results of the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) before and after customized vestibular rehabilitation in patients with chronic vertigo. This study evaluated 10 patients with symptoms caused by disorders of the vestibular system and a diagnosis of chronic vestibular dysfunction. These participants were initially evaluated for physical, emotional, and functional qualities by using the DHI; the initial evaluation was followed by customized vestibular rehabilitation and a subsequent re-evaluation by using the DHI. The DHI performed prior to customized vestibular rehabilitation verified that the physical aspect had the highest scores in the patients, followed by emotional and functional aspects. The customized vestibular rehabilitation was effective because complaints about quality of life decreased, the results for all of the aspects evaluated in the DHI were better at the post-rehabilitation compared to the pre-rehabilitation point, and only 1 patient showed worsening of physical aspects despite improvements in functional and emotional aspects. The pre-vestibular rehabilitation DHI showed that symptoms of chronic vertigo had a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients in this study. The post-rehabilitation DHI revealed that customized vestibular rehabilitation is effective for improving vestibular symptoms. The DHI is an effective test for monitoring vestibular rehabilitation in patients, showing an improvement in the symptoms of chronic vertigo.
