Effects of Tilt Training Program for Neurocardiogenic Syncope Patients: A Systematic Review & Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study was a systematic review to evaluate the effects and identify intervention protocol, measurement, and outcomes of tilt training program for neurocardiogenic syncope. Methods: 8 electronic databases were searched using keyword in English and Korean in June 2016. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria and NECA’s criteria was used for non-randomized controlled trial. For analysis of the data, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed. Results: Of 383 articles identified, 11 studies met inclusion criteria. The effect of tilt training on recurrence of syncope, recurrence of pre-syncope, result of follow up head-up-tilt test analyzed using meta-analysis with RevMan. 5 of studies which included randomized controlled trials testing of tilt training were used to estimate effect size of tilt training. Tilt training was favorably effective in reducing recurrence of syncope (n=260, OR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.02~0.57). Conclusion: There is limited evidence suggesting that tilt training may be effective in recurrent neurocardiogenic syncope.