Intro to Vestibular Rehab: Foundation, Clinical Application

VESTIBULAR REHAB CERTIFICATE FOR CLINICIANS

Nearly 40% of adults will experience vertigo at least once in their lives, and over 50% of adults over age 65 years of age will experience vertigo that can be treated and resolved with a simple treatment. Dizziness and vestibular conditions become increasingly more common in the aging population, leading to falls, fear of movement, decreased social interactions, and ultimately loss of independence. There are many causes of dizziness, which is why skill development in differential diagnosis is pertinent to the successful treatment of patients with dizziness.

This course will provide the clinician with the foundational knowledge to improve understanding of vestibular function and the effects of vestibular dysfunction in patients presenting with dizziness, imbalance, and falls. Specific emphasis will be placed on understanding of peripheral and central causes of dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular hypofunction, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and multisensory dizziness. Principles of assessment and differential diagnosis will improve the clinician’s efficiency in examination and translation of exam findings into the development of an effective, evidence-based treatment plan.

Instructional Methods: Demonstration, skills-check, large and small group discussion, video, case studies

Educational Level: Introductory; Delivery method: Online, Self-paced

Approved by WI Chapter of the APTA and by the AOTA for .8 CEU's (8 Contact Hours)

Part 2: Clinical Application

The goal of continuing education is to enhance the clinician’s knowledge and understanding of a topic in a way that that they will be able to incorporate the evidence-based concepts and techniques that were presented to their clinical practice. This course is designed to do just that. It will help to solidify the learning that was done in Part 1: Foundations, through hands-on practice, instructor feedback, large and small group discussion, individual work, and applying concepts to case studies.

Some features of this course include instructor feedback on assessment and treatment techniques, large and small group activities to demonstrate application of the principles of differential diagnosis, and clinical application to real patient cases. Understanding of the vestibular rehab concepts will be brought to a higher level of understanding as they are applied to complex cases, such as multiple canal BPPV and mixed central and peripheral conditions.

Clinicians will have an opportunity to develop a personalized assessment template specific to their clinical setting and patient population with guidance from instructors and group discussion. They will also create a ready-to-follow clinical plan to incorporate the evidence-based treatment strategies to patient care based on their exam findings. Clinicians will walk away from this course series with knowledge, confidence in their technical skills, experience in differential diagnosis and a plan in place to evaluate and treat patients with dizziness upon returning to the clinic on Monday.

Instructional Methods: Demonstration, skills-check, large and small group discussion, video, case studies

Educational Level: Intermediate; Delivery method: Live

Approved by the WI Chapter of APTA and by the AOTA for 1.4 CEU's (14 Contact Hours)

Learning Objectives

1. Develop skills to perform canalith repositioning manuevers for posterior, horizontal, and anterior canal BPPV with proper technique.

2. Apply differential diagnosis in clnical decision-making utilizing special tests and screening assessments.

3. Develop vestibular rehab treatment plan for patients with vestibular hypofunction based on clinical practice guidelines.

4. Develop personalized evaluation template for utilization in patient care.

5. Apply vestibular evaluation template to case studies to improve confidence in utilization and clinical practice.

6. Apply vestibular rehab techniques to patients with central and cervicogenic dizziness.

7. Recognize that there are other causes of dizziness and list indications for referral to a clinician with further training in this area.

Approved by the Wisconsin APTA for 2.2 CEU's. Focus on Function Physical Therapy, PC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID#0000006328. This course is offered at 2.2 CEU's, intermediate educational level, foundational knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Course Reviews

Uncomfortable to Confident

Jade Schwalbe

I’d taken another vestibular certification course that left me with more questions than answers. I searched for a course that had some in-person component and found this one, and I am so glad I did. I went from dreading these cases to feeling confident in my tools as an outpatient clinician with only Frenzel lenses. The course information was broken down into sections by diagnosis that made so much sense. The exam and findings were taught excellently and explained for clinical use so well. I can’t thank Colleen and Jack enough for putting things together in such an organized and complete way without it being overwhelming or confusing. The content you get and the community also really set this course apart from anything else I have done. Thank you so much!!

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Excellent course

Meghan Jantzi

excellent

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Very through and informative

Katherine Demski

I felt the course was very through and informative. I am excited to put the skills into practice as that is how I learn best

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Excellent course

Pedro Becerra

Very helpful for learning basic concepts as well as advanced tests and techniques

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Instructors

Colleen Sleik PT, DPT, NCS

Physical Therapist

Colleen Sleik, PT, DPT, NCS, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in the treatment of patients with vestibular disorders. Dr. Sleik graduated from The College of St. Catherine with a Master of Physical Therapy in 2003. She earned a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through The University of St. Augustine, Florida in 2010. She completed the Competency-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation course through Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 2010 and has continued her education by attending “Vestibular Rehab: An Advanced Course and Update” through the University of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh in 2018 and virtually in 2021. She has also attended the International Conference on Vestibular Rehab in 2018 and 2022. Dr. Sleik has been teaching continuing education courses nationally since 2015. She maintains her knowledge through reading current research on various topics to provide evidence-based treatment in her clinical practice, guided by the most current research available. Dr. Sleik is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist 2017-2027 and was previously a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist 2012-2022. She is a member of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) and the American Physical Therapy Association, including the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapists and the Vestibular Special Interest Group. Dr. Sleik is works at Bellin Health in Iron Mountain, MI, a small, rural community, where 75-90% of her caseload consists of patients with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems. She has worked in a variety of settings over the years, including hospital-based outpatient, inpatient, home health, skilled nursing facilities and private practice. It is not uncommon for patients to drive several hours to access her specialty vestibular rehabilitation services due to the scarcity of providers in the area. This need inspired her to begin teaching continuing education courses, and she has been teaching nationally since 2015. Her goal is to increase clinicians’ knowledge and understanding of vestibular rehabilitation, ultimately patient access to quality care. Dr. Sleik is pleased to have this opportunity to share her passion for treating vestibular patients and to provide guidance along your journey in helping your patients.

Jack Cervantes PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Jack Cervantes, PT, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, working in the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Health System (UWHC). Dr. Cervantes graduated from the Carroll University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2022 and completed the UW Hospital & Clinics and UnityPoint Health - Meriter Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency Program in 2023. He has experience in his current job role at UWHC in an outpatient role seeing advanced spine and general orthopedic patients with a growing vestibular population. Dr. Cervantes is working to increase his vestibular case load to promote more convenient access to vestibular care. He also has taken on a role in the system wide Concussion Work Group with physical therapists with orthopedic and neurological specialties. As a clinician, Dr. Cervantes utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches to provide his patients with the best care available, while also providing them with strategies for long-term management. Dr. Cervantes’ interest in vestibular rehabilitation began following an intensive 8-week clinical experience with Dr. Sleik, treating patients with various diagnoses of dizziness. He has assisted in the development and presentation of Vestibular Rehab Certificate for Clinicians: Foundation and Clinical Application since 2023, educating both students and clinicians. This course has allowed Dr. Cervantes to pursue his passion and career goal of educating current and future clinicians as a way to give back and advance the profession of physical therapy.