Advances in Vestibular Rehabilitation

Abstract

Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program that has been in existence for over 70 years. A growing body of evidence supports the use of vestibular rehabilitation in patients with vestibular disorders, and evolving research has led to more efficacious interventions. Through central compensation, vestibular rehabilitation is able to improve symptoms of imbalance, falls, fear of falling, oscillopsia, dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity and secondary symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. Early intervention is advised for falls prevention and symptom management; however, symptomatic patients with chronic vestibular disorders may still demonstrate benefit from a course of vestibular rehabilitation. Recent advances in balance and gait training, gaze stability training, habituation training, use of virtual reality, biofeedback, and vestibular prostheses are discussed in this chapter in the context of unilateral and bilateral vestibular disorders.