The Effect of Chewing Gum on Dizziness in Patients Diagnosed With Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in the Emergency Department

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Vertigo Benign Positional, Dizziness

In brief

Dizziness is a common reason for emergency department visits. Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most frequent causes of peripheral vertigo. Intravenous dimenhydrinate is among the standard treatments administered in the emergency setting; however, this and similar drug classes may cause sedation and delay central compensation. This study tests the hypothesis that chewing gum may modulate the vestibular system via trigeminal and cervical neuromuscular pathways, thereby reducing dizziness and nausea symptoms. Patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV who are started on intravenous dimenhydrinate will be randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group will chew sugar-free mint-flavored gum for 20 minutes in addition to standard treatment, while the control group will receive standard treatment only. Dizziness and nausea severity will be assessed using VAS at baseline, 20 minutes, and 60 minutes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07749573

Run by

Ankara Ataturk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital

People needed

88

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2027-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 18-65 years
• Duration of dizziness complaint less than 24 hours
• Posterior canal BPPV diagnosis confirmed by the emergency physician via the Dix-Hallpike test
• Intravenous administration of 50 mg dimenhydrinate in 100 cc 0.9% NaCl initiated by the responsible emergency physician
• Symptomatic dizziness with VAS ≥ 4
• Alert, cooperative, and able to chew gum
• Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Findings suggestive of central vertigo (vertical nystagmus, diplopia, ataxia, hemiparesis, focal neurological deficit, etc.)
• Pregnancy
• Known gum intolerance, history of allergy to gum or its excipients, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, significant tooth loss, use of dentures or removable prosthetics that would prevent chewing
• Altered level of consciousness
• Central pathology detected on investigations performed during the visit
• Hemodynamic and/or respiratory instability
• Diagnosis other than posterior canal BPPV as the cause of vertigo
• Treatment other than pharmacological therapy planned or already administered by the responsible emergency physician
• Active vomiting at the time of enrollment
• Severe dizziness with VAS ≥ 8 (excluded due to high likelihood of requiring additional treatment, risk of protocol deviation, and safety concerns regarding gum chewing)
• Patients who initially consented but subsequently wish to withdraw from the study

Where it is running

• Ankara Atatürk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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