Examination And Treatment Of Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction

Early Bird ends August 30, 2018

9/22/2018
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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UCONN Health Center
Farmington, CT
Register

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Presented by:

Janine Hatch, PT, DPT, MS, GCS
Certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist 

Rick Purdy, PT
Certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist

 

The purpose of this course is to educate the practicing physical therapist on the management of patients with peripheral vestibular disorders in order to expand their current practice skill set into the subspecialty of vestibular rehabilitation. This will be accomplished through knowledge of functional anatomy of the vestibular system and current methods of evidence-based examination and the process of differential assessment to determine effective treatment of common peripheral vestibular disorders, or when referral is appropriate.

This intermediate-level course is targeted at practicing physical therapists who have experience managing patients with balance dysfunction and basic knowledge of standardized gait and balance measures.

CEHs awarded: 6

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Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the anatomy, physiology, and central pathways of the peripheral vestibular systems underlying gaze stabilization and postural control.
2. Select appropriate evidence-based examination measures based on patient report and presentation.
3. Determine a differential diagnosis of peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
4. Implement appropriate treatment interventions based on interpretation of examination findings. 

Course Outline:

1. The role of the vestibular system in postural control

1. Vestibular Ocular Reflex
2. Vestibular Spinal Reflex 

2. Functional Anatomy of the vestibular system

1. Semicircular Canals
2. Otoliths
3. CN VIII
4. Cerebellum 

3. Classifications of Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction

1. Distorted Function
2. Reduced Function
3. Fluctuating Function 

4. Clinical Examination of the Vestibular System

1. Patient history, interview
2. Review of Systems
3. Clinical Examination of the Vestibular System
   i.         Oculomotor AROM
   ii.         VOMS exam
   iii.         HIT /HTT
   iv.         DVA 

5. Lab Break Out 

6. Positional Testing

1. Dix Hallpike
2. Side lying test
3. Roll test 

7. Lab Break-Out 

8. Standardized Functional Examination of Vestibular Contribution to Postural Control

1. DGI
2. FGA
3. mCTSIB 

9. Treatment Considerations

1. Distorted Function-Repositioning Maneuvers
2. Reduced Function-Adaptation
3. Fluctuating Function-manage residual deficits

10. Lab Break-Out

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Janine Hatch received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from New York University, and MS and DPT degrees from MGH-IHP with concentrations in balance disorders in the elderly and clinical management of vestibular disorders. She currently teaches in the Physical Therapy program at Sacred Heart University and has extensive experience managing older adult clients with balance and vestibular dysfunction across the spectrum of settings. Janine has earned her certification as a Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist through Emory University, and is an APTA board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist. Additionally, she has authored a number of publications on balance and vestibular dysfunction, and is a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy and the American Journal for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.