Benign Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus and Head Position during Sleep

This study indicates that head position during sleep is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Seventy-two patients, consisting of 54 with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and 18 with lateral semicircular canal BPPV, were examined (BPPV group). Seventy-six healthy individuals of statistically the same age and sex as those of the BPPV group were also examined (healthy group). This study revealed that the percentage of people who always sleep in the same head position, particularly with the right side or left side down, amounted to 61 % of the BPPV group and 24% of the healthy group, which was significantly different (p