The Impact of Nurse-Led Motivational Interviewing Based on the Transtheoretical Model on Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Patients: A Retrospective Study

<b>Aims/Background</b> Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder with a high recurrence rate. Motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centred communication technique, combined with the transtheoretical model (TTM), may be crucial in promoting behavioural changes and reducing recurrence in BPPV patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of nurse-led MI based on the TTM on rehabilitation outcomes and recurrence rates in BPPV patients. <b>Methods</b> This retrospective cohort study included 1143 BPPV patients treated at Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China, between October 2021 and April 2024. The study group (n = 510) received MI based on the TTM in addition to standard BPPV treatment, while the control group (n = 633) received only standard treatment. Data were collected on patients' quality of life (using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory [DHI]), self-care ability (using the Exercise of Self-Care Agency [ESCA] scale), self-efficacy (using the General Self-Efficacy Scale [GSES]), health-promoting lifestyle (using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile [HPLP]), and recurrence rate over the one month of treatment. <b>Results</b> We observed that the study group and the control group were comparable in terms of age, education level, occupational category, underlying chronic diseases other than hyperlipidemia, and there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Post-intervention, the study group demonstrated significantly lower DHI scores, indicating improved quality of life and reduced functional disability (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Self-care ability (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and self-efficacy (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were substantially higher in the study group. HPLP, particularly for physical activity, was significantly enhanced. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the study group (7.06% vs 12.48%, <i>p</i> = 0.002), with group allocation emerging as an independent predictor of recurrence. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that group allocation was an independent predictor of recurrence (<i>p</i> = 0.002). <b>Conclusion</b> Nurse-led MI based on the TTM significantly improves the quality of life, self-care ability, self-efficacy, and health-promoting lifestyle in BPPV patients while effectively reducing recurrence rates. This approach demonstrates potential clinical significance in the long-term management of BPPV patients.