What is Vestibular Therapy? Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based program designed to promote central nervous system compensation for inner ear deficits. VRT can help with a variety of vestibular problems, including: (BPPV) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Balance/DizzinessInner Ear DisordersPost-Consussion SyndromeMeniere’s DiseaseAcoustic Neuromas What Can The Vestibular Therapy Patient Expect? A qualified physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) will first perform a thorough evaluation that begins with a medical history and includes observing and measuring posture, balance and gait, and compensatory strategies. The assessment may also include eye-head coordination tests that measure how well a person’s eyes track a moving object with or without head movement. Other assessments may be used, such as a questionnaire measuring the frequency and severity of symptoms and associated lifestyle changes. Using the evaluation results, the therapist will develop an individualized vestibular therapy treatment plan that includes specific head, body, and eye exercises to be performed both in the therapy setting and at home. Patient Goals Vestibular therapy exercises are designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system and coordinate them with information from vision and proprioception. This often involves desensitizing the balance system to movements that provoke symptoms, and increasing home-based activities and exercise in order to strengthen muscles.
