Vestibular Rehabilitation - A Comprehensive Clinical Approach for Positive Functional Outcomes

Course Outline

This two-day course provides the fundamentals for evaluating and treating vestibular dysfunction. A basic overview of vestibular function and anatomy as well as central nervous system interaction is provided. Hands-on laboratory sessions enhance the clinician’s ability to properly perform testing techniques for vestibular disorders. Quite often the “missing link” in the management of a client’s complaints lies within the weakness of the vestibular system. A thorough understanding of underlying disorders assist the clinician in developing effective treatment and exercise programs to decrease symptoms and enhance balance and functional ability. Options and considerations for creating treatment plans and long-term care management strategies are thoroughly discussed.
The treatment ideas presented in this course can be applied to patients with vestibular disorders as well as to patients with limitations in balance or sensory integration. Clinicians will be able to immediately apply this information in the clinical setting.
This course is offered to physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. An extensive laboratory component is designed to provide clinicians with skills required for the treatment of their balance and vestibular patients.


Course Objectives

• Identify the anatomical structures responsible for perception of movement and understand their physiological functions.
• Identify the intricate connections between the vestibular, oculomotor and somatosensory systems and how they combine to maintain stability of posture and vision.
• Recognize and understand the different mechanisms of recovery of the vestibular system and how they impact the course and content of rehabilitation.
• Recognize typical vestibular disorders by symptom and category and identify critical areas for therapeutic intervention.
• Recognize the clinical significance of diagnostic tests including ENG, caloric testing, rotational testing and posturography.
• Perform evaluative procedures and assess findings (interview/history, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, oculomotor exam, visual-vestibular exam, positional testing, Motion Sensitivity Quotient, Dynamic Gait Index, static balance assessments,systems screening).
• Recognize typical presentations of nystagmus and their relevance to treatment.
• Formulate an appropriate treatment plan including measurable goals.
• Apply appropriate therapeutic exercises and procedures.

Schedule of instruction

  Day One   Day Two
7:30 8:00 Registration 8:00 10:00 Vestibular Rehabilitation
Evaluation Laboratory
8:00 8:30 Introduction- Statistics of Vestibular Disorders   • Oculomotor testing
8:30 9:20 Anatomy and Physiology of the Vestibular System   • Balance assessment
9:20 9:35 Break 10:00 12:00 BPPV Laboratory
9:35 10:50 Sensory and Motor Components of Balance   • Testing
10:50 11:00 Question and Answer   • Treatment
11:00 12:00 Clinical Testing Procedures 12:00 12:30 Lunch
  • Oculomotor 12:30 1:00 Video Presentatio
  • Vestibular-ocular 1:00 2:15 Rehab Management
Considerations
  • Postural control
(static and dynamic)
  • Typical treatment progression (according to diagnosis/symp- toms)
12:00 12:30 Lunch   • Marketing strategies
12:30 1:00 Video presentation   • Reimbursement issues
1:00 2:30 Categories of Vestibular Disorders   • Equipment/resource ideas
  • Spontaneous vs. positionally provoked 2:15 3:00 Case Studies
  • Central vs. peripheral   • Putting it all together - case studies analysis
2:30 2:45 Break   • Questions and answers
2:45 3:15 Mechanisms of Vestibular Recovery    
  • Injury, compensation and
decompensation
   
  • Adaptation, habituation and
substitution
   
  • Role of the therapist    
3:15 4:45 Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
   
  • Cupulolithiasis vs. canalithiasis    
  • Differential diagnosis and
treatment options
   
4:45 6:30 Vestibular Rehab Evaluation    
  • Testing procedures    
  • Treatment plan/goal setting    

Downloads

Course Brochures are in Adobe PDF format. Right click and choose "Save Target As" to download brochure. If you would like to open the brochure in your browser windows, select the link.

Course Brochure for Vestibular Rehabilitation - A Comprehensive Clinical Approach for Positive Functional Outcomes

Scheduled Dates and Locations

Start DateEnd DateLocation - **Click to Map It**TuitionHrsHotel
Dec 06, 08Dec 07, 08West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park, IL$399.0015.00View Hotels

 

North American Seminars Courses for physical therapy and occupational therapy

 

Course Instructor
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Georgia Groomer-MacGillivray, PT, is a 1991 graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She has specialized in vestibular program development and design since 1997. Georgia earned her certificate of clinical competency in the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders in 1999. She has been an instructor with North American Seminars, Inc. since 2000 and has presented on a variety of topics to include: dizziness, balance disorders, and vestibular rehabilitation. Georgia has had the opportunity to practice her unique vestibular skills and philosophies in a variety of clinical settings ranging from hospital-based outpatient facilities, multi-disciplinary regional balance centers, and consultative/staff training for various medical systems and Independent clinics. She is currently the sole rehab practitioner at an independent balance and Hearing Center, where she performs vestibular diagnostics and individualized rehabilitation services. Georgia has worked extensively to educate the primary sector of medicine in regards to the role of the rehabilitation therapists in managing dizziness and balance disorders. She has been involved at the local and national levels in campaigning efforts to improve the recognition and reimbursement of vestibular rehabilitation by third party payers. Her wide range of experience in vestibular rehabilitation and program development enables her to provide an eclectic and practical approach to treatment, as well as to teaching.

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