Vertigo: Brandt-Daroff Exercises for Balance Disorders
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 7 Jul 2009 - Updated: 13 Jun 2016
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications
Synopsis: Explains balance disorders and vertigo with instructional videos on Semont Epley and Brandt-Daroff exercises for BPPV and loss of balance.
Introduction
The Brandt-Daroff exercise is one of several exercises intended to speed up the compensation process and end the symptoms of vertigo.
Main Content
NOTE: These exercises will only work if you feel dizzy as you do them
Brandt-Daroff exercises are thought to disperse any tiny particles away from the balance center in your ear, therefore getting rid of the cause of dizziness.
- Sit on the edge of the bed. Turn your head 45 degrees (look to the left). Lie down quickly on the right side. Ensure the back of the head rests on the bed. Wait 20 to 30 seconds or until the dizziness stops.
- Sit upright. Wait 20 to 30 seconds for any dizziness to settle.
- Repeat on the other side. Turn the head slightly to the right before lying down quickly on the left side.
- Do five times on each side (takes about 10 minutes).
- Repeat three times a day
Brandt-Daroff exercises are generally used to treat BPPV, and sometimes to treat labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, at home and are performed in three sets per day for two weeks.
The Brandt-Daroff exercise relieves symptoms of vertigo within 3 to 14 days for almost all people.
In a small number of cases, vertigo returns and has to be treated again.
Performing Brandt-Daroff exercises can cause vertigo, nausea, and vomiting, which may discourage people from continuing the exercise, particularly when the vertigo experienced is severe.
NOTE: Do not start doing the Brandt-Daroff exercises for at least 2 days after the Epley or Semont maneuver, unless specifically instructed otherwise by your health care provider.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.