Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness
Vestibular Rehabilitation and Dizziness
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vestibular exercises provide added benefit
 to balance rehabilitation in older adults with dizziness and normal vestibular function.
Dizziness is among the most prevalent complaints for which people seek medical help and the
 incidence increases with advancing age. Dizziness represents a diagnostic and treatment
 challenge because it is a subjective sensation, refers to a variety of symptoms
 (unsteadiness, spinning, sense of motion or lightheadedness), and has many potential
 contributory factors. Dizziness is often related to vestibular disease which is treated
 effectively with vestibular exercises. Successful management of dizziness is critical because
 dizziness is a major risk factor for falls in older adults.

 There are parallels between the effects of age-related versus disease-related loss of
 vestibular function - in complaints of dizziness and increased risk for falls. The
 investigators' question, then, is whether the same exercises that are beneficial for patients
 with vestibular pathology are beneficial for older patients with dizziness but normal
 vestibular function.

 Older adults with dizziness who have been referred to Audiology for vestibular evaluation
 will be randomized to receive either standard balance rehabilitation plus placebo eye
 exercises (CON) or standard balance rehabilitation plus vestibular-specific exercises (GS).
 Primary outcomes include symptoms, balance-related confidence, dynamic visual acuity,
 postural stability as measured by sensory organization test, fall risk as measured by dynamic
 gait index, and gait speed. Assessment will occur at baseline, discharge from physical
 therapy (PT), 1 and 6 months post-PT.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  at least 50 years of age

 -  documented balance or mobility problems

 -  normal vestibular function, including otolith function

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  cognitive impairment

 -  progressive medical issues that would impact mobility (e.g., Parkinson's disease,
 cerebellar atrophy)

 -  dizziness due to orthostatic hypotension or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
 (BPPV)