BALANCE REHABILITATION

Vestibular rehabilitation is an evidence-based approach for the treatment of dizziness and/or balance symptoms in people with peripheral vestibular disorders. The updated American Physical Therapy Association guidelines for vestibular rehabilitation state supervised therapy with gradually progressive customised exercises as key factors in outcome (updated guidelines 2021). A growing body of evidence supports vestibular rehabilitation for the management of central vestibular disorders, including post-concussion dizziness and vestibular migraine.

 

Vestibular rehabilitation is a customised exercise approach focused on treating each individual’s symptoms.  The programme may include progressively more challenging eye, head, and body movements in sitting, standing, and walking. For people with visual induced dizziness, where symptoms are triggered or exacerbated by visual motion (i.e., scrolling on a computer screen, busy supermarket, crowds), treatment will include gradual exposure to visual motion stimuli via YouTube videos and/or virtual reality headsets. Exercises that combine a balance task with a “thinking” task will be included as required for those who, for example, report difficulty walking and talking at the same time.

 

Appointments take place once every two to four weeks on average. Treatment duration will usually require between 3-6 months, although this time frame can be shorter or longer and is affected by the condition causing dizziness and / or balance symptoms, other co-existing medical conditions, sleep hygiene and/or exercise adherence.

 

Treatment progression and outcome is monitored at each session via patient report of symptoms, subjective questionnaires and /or objective balance assessment.