Course Description:

Dizziness is the number one cause of office visits to physicians for patients over the age of 65. The most common cause of dizziness is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). In one study of older adults, 1 out of 10 persons presenting to the clinic for other medical conditions had undiagnosed BPPV. The persons with BPPV also had a higher incidence of recent reported falls. BPPV can be seen post-operatively or after a fall. Falls and dizziness are also a leading cause of hospital admissions with high rates of mortality and morbidity. As rehabilitation professionals, we are often called on to treat persons with balance and/or dizziness impairments. How can we determine if the problem is medical, mechanical, or from the often-misdiagnosed problem of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo? This course will provide you with the tools to be able to differentially diagnosis what conditions are within your scope of practice and which patients should be referred for additional follow-up care. In addition, the program will provide hands on practice and differential diagnosis skills for identifying both peripheral and central vestibular disorders. All participants will have an opportunity to practice evaluation techniques and interventions for the treatment of BPPV and other vestibular disorders.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course the participants will be able to:
1.   Describe the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and how it relates to pathology and function.
2.   Be able to differentiate between peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
3.   Perform various evaluation techniques specific to the patient with dizziness and those at risk for falling.
4.   Identify the signs and symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
5.   Treat BPPV (posterior, horizontal canal, and anterior canals) including the bow and yaw maneuver and the Semont plus, and the Yacovino and Li maneuver for AC BPPV
6.   Understand the concepts of subjective BPPV and vestibular agnosia
7.   Be able to perform the Li maneuvers for horizontal and posterior canal BPPV
8.   Be able to perform the head impulse test, head shaking test, vibration induced nystagmus, and dynamic visual acuity testing
9.   Be able to perform the Dix Hallpike test, the modified Dix Hallpike test, the loaded Dix Hallpike, the head over pillow test, the sit to supine test, the bow and lean test, and the roll test (Pagninni McClure)
10.   Discuss cases that demonstrate typical and atypical presentations of persons with BPPV to differentiate what is BPPV from other problems that can present in your clinic
11.   Discuss management of BPPV and acute vestibular syndromes via case based learning