Vertigo describes a symptom, typically caused by inner ear disorders, in which patients experience a feeling of spinning or dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo from inner ear pathology that affects persons of any age. It is most common between the ages of 40 and 70 and occurs more frequently in females than males....
No actionable change for audiologists already competent in BPPV diagnosis and repositioning maneuvers; this nursing-oriented overview does not present new evidence or revised guidelines.
As BPPV is frequently encountered across healthcare settings, nursing-focused education can improve referral pathways and reduce delayed diagnosis for patients presenting with episodic vertigo.
- 01BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, resulting from displaced otoconia (inner-ear crystals).
- 02Clinical overview targets nurses, covering presentation, diagnosis, and management.
- 03Canalith repositioning maneuvers (e.g., Epley) remain the cornerstone of treatment.
- 04Published in the journal Nursing (August 2026).
- 05No new clinical data or guideline updates are presented.
BPPV is an inner-ear disorder that causes episodic spinning/dizziness.
guidelinesupportedRepositioning maneuvers are an effective treatment for BPPV.
guidelinesupported- PMID
- 42475608
- DOI
- 10.1097/NSG.0000000000000384.
- Journal
- Nursing
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- General clinical overview — no specific study population enrolled.
- Intervention
- Clinical overview of BPPV diagnosis and management
Primary outcomes
Clinician recognition and management of BPPV