Abstract
A 50-year-old male with vertigo was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 3 sessions in a 4-day period at an acute care setting under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with an oculomotor exam, nystagmus observation, the Motion Sensitivity Quotient, Non-instrumented Dynamic Visual Acuity Test, Timed Up and Go test, Activity Measures for Post-Acute Care “6-clicks” Basic Mobility Inpatient Short Form, walking independence and distance assessment, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, head impulse test, and positional tests for possible benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which includes the side-lying test and roll test. A plan of care was established to address balance and gait deficits, impaired gaze stability, limitations in functional mobility, and severe motion sensitivity affecting self-perceived disability.
The main goals for the patient were to improve stability in gait, improve gaze stabilization, improve functional mobility independence, decrease motion sensitivity, and decrease self-perceived disability due to dizziness. The main interventions consisted of vestibular rehabilitation techniques informed by an impairment-based approach. The patient demonstrated improvements in functional mobility, gait and balance quality, and decreased self-perceived disability. The patient was discharged home with family support and a home exercise a program.