Patient Interview/ History
Dix Hallpike/ Positional Testing
Balance/ Gait Assessment
Strength/ ROM/ Sensation
Oculomotor Function
Fall Risk Assessment
Individualized Treatment Program:
- Perform exercises/activities that stimulate dizziness so the patent habituates to the symptoms
- Eye exercises to improve coordination with head movements
- Balance and gait activities, including assessment for assistive device if needed
- Improve overall fitness and activity level
Patients are typically seen two times per week if receiving Vestibular Rehabilitation. Duration of treatment varies depending upon the evaluation findings. On average, patients are seen for 4-8 sessions to achieve goals. If patients are being seen and treated for BPPV, usually 1-2 sessions resolves the vertigo. Patients are always provided with a home exercise program and families are always included in the rehabilitation process.
The most important part to establishing an individualized treatment program for a patient, is performing a Comprehensive Evaluation which will include:
Goals of Vestibular Therapy:
- Decrease/Eliminate dizziness and visual symptoms
- Improve balance and gait
- Improve overall activity level and function
- Improve confidence and decrease fear and anxiety that the symptoms can cause
The National Institute of Health estimates that 42% of the adult population report episodes of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance to their Physician, and in 85% of these patients the cause is a vestibular problem. By age 75, these symptoms are the most common reasons for people seeing their Physicians. More than one third of people over 65 will fall each year, a leading cause of disability in the elderly.
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?...
Individuals with a Vestibular disorder (inner ear), often experience dizziness, lightheaded and balance problems. They can have difficulty when they walk and/or when they move their head. These symptoms often affect a person’s ability to change positions, including lying down, walking, and performing daily activities and work. Complaints of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance are common complaints reported by adults to their physician. These are symptoms often associated to a problem within the Vestibular system.
Vestibular Rehabilitation and Balance Retraining Therapy is a scientifically based and clinically valid therapeutic intervention for the treatment of dizziness and postural instability. The treatment of vestibular and balance disorders depends upon identifying the source of a patient’s symptoms. Medications often prescribed for dizziness typically are ineffective in decreasing symptoms and actually will interfere with therapy and the goal of achieving central compensation. The sedating side effects of the medication can also limit the patient’s ability to perform useful activities. The therapy is designed to help reorganize the vestibular system through central nervous system compensation.