Vestibular Physical Therapy and Fall Risk Assessment

Wendy J Carender; Melissa Grzesiak; Steven A Telian

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.018

Vestibular Physical Therapy and Fall Risk Assessment

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Oct;54(5):1015-1036. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.018. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

Authors

Wendy J Carender¹, Melissa Grzesiak², Steven A Telian³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Michigan Balance Vestibular Testing and Rehabilitation, Med Inn Building, Room C166A, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5816, USA. Electronic address: wcaren@med.umich.edu.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Michigan Balance Vestibular Testing and Rehabilitation, Med Inn Building, Room C166A, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5816, USA.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, TC 1904L, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5312, USA.

PMID: 34304897
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.05.018

Abstract

Vestibular physical therapy (VPT) is a specialized form of evidence-based therapy designed to alleviate primary (vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, gait instability, falls) and secondary (deconditioning, cervical muscle tension, anxiety, poor quality of life, fear of falling/fear avoidance behavior) symptoms related to vestibular disorders. This article provides an overview of VPT, highlighting various exercise modalities used to treat a variety of vestibular disorders. Patient safety and fall prevention are paramount; therefore, fall risk assessment and treatment are also addressed.

Keywords: Balance; Dizziness; Fall prevention; Vestibular physical therapy; Vestibular rehabilitation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls* / prevention & control
Fear
Humans
Physical Therapy Modalities
Postural Balance
Quality of Life*
Risk Assessment