Vestibular Course
Courses for Physical Therapists & Health ProfessionalsPractical Management of the patient with dizziness: Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Instructor: Jeff Walter PT, DPT, NCS
Course Description
This evidence-based course will train clinicians in the practical management of vestibular disorders. The course will include instruction in anatomy and physiology, medical management, pathology, detailed bedside examination, and treatment skills. The material will be presented in a lecture, lab, and video case study format. Competence in the performance of a comprehensive office/bedside examination and treatment skills will be addressed in a lab format. An emphasis will be placed on the management of BPPV variants and vestibular hypofunction.
Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:
- Perform a detailed bedside vestibular & balance examination
- Based on patient history and bedside examination, identify the specific features of:
- Peripheral vestibular disorders
- Central vestibular disorders
- Non-vestibular dizziness
- Recognize typical characteristics of peripheral vestibular vs. central-etiology nystagmus
- Prescribe rehabilitation programs to address compensation for vestibular hypofunction
- Identify specific variants of BPPV and perform appropriate canalith repositioning maneuvers
- Identify indications for further medical referral
About the Instructor
Jeff Walter PT, DPT, NCS
Director of the Otolaryngology Vestibular and Balance Center at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. Associate faculty member at Misericordia University, Department of Physical Therapy. Graduate of the University of Wisconsin and has attained competency certification in “Vestibular Rehabilitation” and “Vestibular Function Test Interpretation”. Since 1999, Jeff has lectured at numerous professional conferences, universities, and continuing education courses for audiologists, physicians, and therapists involved in managing vestibular disorders. Jeff contributes to a teaching website “www.vestibular.today” designed to provide information to assist clinicians in the management of dizziness and imbalance. Clinical research interests have included superior canal dehiscence and BPPV.
Comments from Previous Particpants
“So approachable, knowledgeable, and patient……. I would recommend this course to everyone!”
“By far the best vestibular course I have ever attended.”
“Material was grounded in practicality, ideal course for a clinician”
Agenda
Day 1
| 7:30am | Registration |
| 8:00am | Detailed Anatomy and Physiology of the Vestibular and Balance System (lecture) |
| 10:30am | Break |
| 10:45am | Disorders and Management Options (lecture)
|
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00am | Vestibular Disorders and Management Options (cont) |
| 2:15pm | Break |
| 2:30pm | Bedside / Office Evaluation (combined lecture / practicum with video case studies) Oculomotility / stability screen, tuning fork examination, multi-directional head impulse testing, head shake, hyperventilation, vibration, static vs. dynamic visual acuity, CTSIB, gait assessment |
| 5:30pm | End Day |
Day 2
| 7:30am | Bedside / Office Evaluation (cont) |
| 8:30am | Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitative Treatment Strategies (lecture and lab)
|
| 9:15am | Non-Otogenic Dizziness: Migraine, Anxiety, Cervicogenic Dizziness, PPPD |
| 10:00am | Break |
| 10:15am | Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (lecture) Pathophysiology, Identification of Variant Forms, Differential Diagnosis, Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers, Management Guidelines |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 12:45pm | BPPV Practicum and video case studies with emphasis on differential diagnosis and assessment of treatment efficacy: (lab and video cases)
|
| 2:30pm | End Course |
Registration Details
| Level: | Beginner – Intermediate |
| Target Audience: | PTs, OTs, Physicians, Audiologists |
| CEUs: | A certificate for 14 contact hours will be issued at the conclusion of the course only. |
| Price: | $650 |