Physical Therapy Research : Dizziness and Balance Center
Research Mission
Research at the Dizziness and Balance Center is directed at developing better
methods of identifying vestibular disorders and at improving treatment of those
patients. Clinical research in these problems is base at the Center for Rehabilitation.
Current projects include: Determining the effectiveness of physical therapy for
patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibular loss; early identification
of vestibular loss in patients that are receiving ototoxic medications; development
of a new method for assessing visual acuity during head movement in patients
with vestibular loss; decreasing the risk for falls in patients with balance
problems, and development of new methods of diagnosing vestibular deficits.
Education
Fellowships and Observerships in Dizziness and Eye Movement Center Our approach
to the evaluation and non-surgical treatment of patients with dizziness and balance
disorders will be demonstrated in the clinic. Key points in the history, an extensive
clinical exam, pertinent vestibular testing (caloric, rotary chair and dynamic
posturography), medical management, and vestibular rehabilitation will be stressed.
All equipment is on site. Handouts in English are provided including the initial
questionnaire, physical exam template, patient handouts for migraine and Meniere’s
disease, and rehabilitative exercises for BPPV and vestibular hypofunction. This
will be of interest to physicians and physical therapists. It interested contact
Dr. Tusa or Dr. Herdman at 404 712-1976 or by email (rtusa@emory.edu; sherdma@emory.edu).
Personnel
- Susan Herdman, PT, PhD
- Ronald Tusa, MD, PhD
- Courtney D. Hall, PT, PhD
- Lisa Gillig, PT, MS
- Mary Murphy, PT, PhD, NCS
- Jeff Hoder, DPT
Current Projects
- Determine the effectiveness of physical therapy for patients with vestibular
loss
- Establish the utility of dynamic visual acuity in following patient with
vestibular deficits
- Determine the neural mechanisms of recover of vision
- Determining the effect of combined vestibular loss and cognitive impairment
on fall risk
- Determine the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation on recovery of
imbalance in people with dizziness of non-vestibular etiology
- Development
of targeted physical therapy interventions for problems
associated with essential tremor, brainstem stroke and degenerative
cerebellar disease.
Continuing Education
Date |
Course Title |
Content |
Brochure |
03/13/07 03/17/07
(yearly) |
Vestibular Rehabilitation –A
Competency - based course
Location: Atlanta, GA
Director: Susan Herdman PT, PhD |
Certification of vestibular rehabilitation
(clinical exam, testing, rehab) for PTs and MDs |
Ginger Moore
Vimoore12@aol.com |
04/05/06 (yearly) |
Canalith Repositioning Maneuver
Location: American Academy Neurology
Director: Terry Fife, MD |
Tutorial course on recognition
and treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo for MDs |
http://am.aan.com/ |
04/06/06 (yearly) |
Neuro-Otology
Location: American Academy Neurology Director: Ronald Tusa,
MD, PhD |
½ day course on
assessment and management of patients
with dizziness for MDs |
http://am.aan.com/
|
06/24/06 06/25/06 |
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Director: Susan Herdman, PT, PhD |
Beginner course on vestibular
rehabilitation for PTs and MDs |
Alison
Green
greenal@bupa.com |
06/25/07 06/27/07
(odd years) |
Beginner Balance
Location: Southampton, England
Director: Jane Burgneay, MS |
Introductory course on
vestibular exam, testing and treatment for MDs, audiologists and PTs |
Jane
Burgneay
Course
List |
06/26/06 06/27/06
(even years) |
Advanced Balance
Location: Southampton, England
Director: Jane Burgneay, MS |
Advanced course on vestibular
exam, testing and treatment for MDs, audiologists and PTs |
Jane
Burgneay
Course
List |
O7/20/06 07/24/06 (even
years) |
Vestibular Function Tests – Interpretation
and application to rehabilitation Director:
Susan J. Herdman |
Intermediate course on test interpretation
for PTs, Audiologists and MDs |
Ginger Moore
Vimoore12@aol.com
|
TBD/07
TBD/07
(odd years) |
Advances in Vestibular
Rehabilitation – A Competency Course
Location: Atlanta, GA
Director: Susan Herdman PT, PhD |
Recent developments in assessment and
treatment of patients with dizziness for PTs and MDs. Vestibular Rehab-
Competency course is a pre-requisite |
Ginger
Moore
Vimoore12@aol.com
|
11/08/06
11/12/06 |
Vestibular Rehabilitation
A Competency based course
Location: Australia
Director: Susan Herdman PT, PhD |
Certification of vestibular rehabilitation
(clinical exam, testing, rehab) for PTs and MDs |
Rosemary
Corrigan rcorrigan@csu.edu.au
A&E Ring; Belinda Reid
|
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