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.

NOTE: This session will be recorded and available for viewing within 2 weeks of the live dates. You will be able to complete it and claim your CEUs from the recorded session.

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Meet our Presenters

Janet O. Helminski, PT, PhD 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 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.