Occupational | Physical Therapy Continuing Education - Vestibular

Why take this course?

Balance Dysfunction is seen in patients with a variety of pathologies across all practice settings and across the lifespan and may have diverse causes. This two-day day advanced evidence-based course is designed for physical and occupational therapists who have a basic knowledge of balance dysfunction and would like to refine their skills. This course will provide the participant with the skills to determine the cause of imbalance, employ appropriate outcome measures, and implement treatment. All examination and intervention strategies discussed will be evidence based and relevant to the patient with balance dysfunction. Vestibular, neurological, and orthopedic causes of imbalance will be discussed including pathologies such as stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, cerebellar dysfunction, total joint arthroplasties, lumbar spine dysfunction, and vestibular dysfunction. Special consideration will be given to pathologies such as BPPV, cervicogenic causes of dizziness and imbalance, concussion, traumatic brain injury and higher level balance training, and fall risk assessment and intervention. Participants will learn both impairment and disease specific examination techniques and will be given guidelines to identify the right examination techniques for specific diagnoses. Recommendations will be based on the APTA Neurology Section EDGE guidelines for outcome measures. Clinical skills that will be taught include assessment of sensory and motor systems that contribute to balance, cervicogenic screening, ocular motor examination, BPPV treatments, higher level balance testing, treatment of balance dysfunction across the spectrum. Laboratory time will be provided for practice of examination and intervention skills. Participants will apply the material learned in small group case application for both examination and intervention.

Course Objectives

• Compare and contrast the systems underlying balance.
• Compare and contrast changes in the balance system with neurological, orthopedic, and vestibular pathologies.
• Describe changes in the balance system across the lifespan.
• Perform a balance examination including examination of sensory and motor contributions to balance.
• Interpret the findings of a balance examination based on diagnosis and impairments.
• Differentiate neurological, orthopedic and vestibular causes of balance dysfunction.
• Examine and treat neurological causes of balance dysfunction including Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, peripheral nervous system disorders and cerebellar dysfunction.
• Develop evidence-based intervention for patients with vestibular, neurological, and cervicogenic dysfunction.
• Perform a comprehensive examination to differentially diagnose BPPV and develop a progressive program to treat BPPV.
• Describe the pathology of vestibular balance dysfunction.
• Examine and treat vestibular causes of balance dysfunction including cervicogenic dizziness, migraine-related vestibulopathy, anxiety related dizziness.
• Develop a fall-risk assessment and intervention program.
• Apply the material presented to representative patient cases.

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Instructed by: Diane Wrisley, PhD, PT, NCS

Course Dates

State Continuing Education Course Approvals

All courses are pre-approved by the state licensing boards for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and athletic trainers for license renewal in the state the course is offered.

Courses provided by AOTA providers are accepted by NBCOT. 1 hour = 1.25 PDU. North American Seminars is an AOTA provider, provider #4487

North American Seminars, Inc. (BOC provider #P2047) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for the maximum stated hours of Category A hours/CEUs. Athletic Trainers should claim only those hours actually spent in the education program.

Special Need Request - Please submit a help ticket if you require any special needs in regards to registering or attending a course.

Private - Sponsorship or Custom Version of this Course for your Team