Vestibular Rehabilitation: Evaluation and Management of the Patient with Dizziness and Imbalance

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*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.

Target Audience

Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, PT, PTA

Description

Symptoms of “dizziness” are the number 3 reason individuals over the age of 65 seek medical attention, and it becomes the number 1 reason over the age of 70. Medical or surgical management is not indicated or helpful in many of these cases, but many of these individuals do benefit from vestibular rehabilitation techniques. In addition, 50% of the individuals over the age of 65 with dizziness will develop a particular form of vertigo that can typically be alleviated with one simple physical therapy treatment. Individuals with vertigo and disequilibrium represent a large patient population for physical therapy.

This course will focus on the assessment and treatment of patients with vertigo and disequilibrium from peripheral and central vestibular causes. Material covered will include the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the normal vestibular system, the various pathological conditions that result in vertigo or disturbances in balance, and the compensatory mechanisms available for recovery. Specific emphasis will be on the assessment and treatment of unilateral and bilateral vestibular hypofunction, benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo, central vestibular disorders (including stroke and head trauma). As vestibular disorders occur across the lifespan and with various disorders, this information is applicable to a large patient population with symptoms of dizziness.

Dates/Times/Location
9/26/2026: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9/27/2026: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Lunch will be provided both days.

South Piedmont AHEC
Center for Learning and Development
5039 Airport Center Parkway
Building K
Charlotte, NC 28208-5885

Course Agenda
Day 1: September 26, 2026
• Introduction and Demographics
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Impact of lesions on normal function
• History & Clinical Exam

Day 2: September 27, 2026
• Treatment: From Assessment to Treatment
• Treatment strategies: Lecture / demonstration / practice
• Central Vestibular Disorders: Differential diagnosis and treatment considerations of vascular disorders, head trauma, and oculomotor abnormalities
• Cases, Q&A, wrap-up

This program is being offered in association with the Duke Area Health Education Center.

Speaker
Richard A. Clendaniel, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Dr. Clendaniel is a clinical scientist, educator, clinician, and faculty and mentor in the Duke University DPT program. His training and scientific practice have made him a recognized expert in the rehabilitation of individuals with vestibular disorders. Dr. Clendaniel is an invited lecturer nationally and internationally on the evaluation and management of people with dizziness. He has authored numerous papers and book chapters on vestibular system plasticity and treatment and is the co-editor of a major textbook on vestibular rehabilitation. In addiction, Dr. Clendaniel maintains an active clinical practice treating individuals with dizziness and imbalance and serves as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Audiology program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Continuing Education Credits include:
CEUs
This Activity fulfills the requirement of 1.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Contact Hours
This program meets the requirements for 13.25 contact hours.

NCBPTE Contact Hours
13.0 NCBPTE Contact Hours
The North Carolina AHEC system is an approved provider by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with regard to activities directly related to physical therapy for continued competence.

*Courses may be rescheduled or cancelled due to low registration.

*Registering for and attending a South Piedmont AHEC program authorizes South Piedmont AHEC to take audio, video, and/or still images to be used for promotional and educational purposes. If you have concerns, please speak with a South Piedmont AHEC team member.

Objectives

• Describe normal vestibular system anatomy and function and how it relates to the normal clinical exam.
• Describe abnormal vestibular function. Specifically, the participant will be able to correlate altered vestibular function with clinical signs and symptoms, as well as to describe the central compensatory mechanisms involved in the response to vestibular lesions.
• Perform and interpret a detailed examination of the patient with “dizziness”, including the pertinent patient history and subjective exam, advanced oculomotor exam (including the observation of central and peripheral patterns of nystagmus, VOR function, headshaking nystagmus, hyperventilation induced nystagmus, clinical tests for fistula, assessment of positioning vertigo) and assessment of static and dynamic postural stability.
• Interpret the results of the clinical examination to develop an appropriate and comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with peripheral vestibular disorders, including unilateral vestibular hypofunction, bilateral vestibular hypofunction, and motion provoked dizziness.
• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and perform the various appropriate treatment techniques for posterior semicircular canal BPPV, anterior semicircular canal BPPV, and horizontal semicircular canal BPPV.
• Identify central vs. peripheral causes of positioning vertigo, as well as atypical patterns of BPPV.
• Develop an understanding of central causes of dizziness, including CVA, and brain injury. Course participants will be able to design and modify treatment programs based on the nature of the cause of dizziness in this patient population.

Sessions