Complementary/Alternative Medicine for Abnormality in the Vestibular (Balance) System
Complementary/Alternative Medicine for Abnormality in the Vestibular (Balance) System
The purpose of this study is to determine the relative merits of vestibular rehabilitation
 and Tai Chi for patients with inner ear (vestibular) disorders.
It is proposed a randomized, blinded, controlled trial comparing vestibular rehabilitation
 (VR) to Tai Chi (TC). Our overall goal is to explore whether, and if so, how TC can improve
 functional, dynamic stability in persons with vestibulopathy (VSP). It is hypothesized that
 the TC group will demonstrate significantly greater improvement in performing functional
 activities than the VR group.

 Sixty subjects will be randomly assigned into either TC instruction or VR. Both treatment
 groups will receive identical duration treatment once a week for 10 weeks, with supplemental
 home exercises. It is hypothesized that 1) TC improves whole-body dynamic locomotor stability
 more than does VR; 2) TC improves gait coordination during planned and unplanned obstacle
 encounters more than does VR; 3) TC improves whole-body speed related movement control more
 than does VR.
Main inclusion criteria:

 -  vestibulopathy and locomotor unsteadiness

 Main exclusion criteria:

 -  diseases/impairments that prevent rehab participation.