Centennial Lecture Series: The Eyes Have It: Physical Therapy Management of Common Vestibular Disorders
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- Non-Member - $450
- PT Member - $200
- PTA Member - $200
- Student - $50
- Post-Professional Student - $100
- Staff - Free!
The most common otologic causes of vertigo and imbalance that a physical therapist is likely to encounter are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and peripheral vestibular hypofunction. This course will focus on recent advances in the management of both, to include biomechanics of the vestibular system, differential diagnosis, and principles of motor control. The interpretation of typical and unusual patterns of nystagmus observed during positional testing will be used to guide treatment based on biomechanics of BPPV; the principals of motor learning in the VOR will be applied to develop gaze stability training. Cases will be used to highlight the differential diagnosis process and therapeutic interventions.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the mechanics of the semicircular canals and macula in health.
- Interpret the findings of common vestibular tests based on an understanding of mechanics of the canal and macula.
- Use evidence based clinical decision rules to differentiate peripheral versus central vestibular dysfunction.
- Identify and interpret typical and atypical patterns of benign paroxysmal position nystagmus observed during positional testing and canalith repositioning maneuvers.
- Implement a canalith repositioning maneuver for the treatment of BPPV based on the anatomy and mechanics of the canal involved.
- Develop and implement a vestibular rehabilitation therapy program for peripheral vestibular hypofunction based on the principles of neuroplasticity of the VOR.
Janet O. Helminski
PT, PhD
Dr. Helminski is a Professor of Physical Therapy at Midwestern University, and a physical therapist at Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic. She received her PhD from Northwestern University’s Institute for Neuroscience. Her clinical focus is treating atypical BPPV and uncompensated peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Her current research includes differential diagnosis of atypical BPPV, acquired vertical diplopia, and acute vestibular syndrome in the emergency department.
Michael C. Schubert
PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Schubert is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery as well as the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University. He completed his PhD at the University of Miami followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins. His clinical focus is treating gaze and gait instability in people with loss of vestibular sensation. His current research investigates novel methods for identifying pathology within the oculomotor system and differences in motor learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex using different types of error signals.
Course Instructions
- Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recordings.
- Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
- Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
- Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page.
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