Academy of Otolaryngology Position Statement on Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation recommended as a beneficial treatment for dizziness and balance disorders

Vestibular Rehab Recognized as a Valid and Beneficial Intervention for Individuals with Dizziness and Disequilibrium

We wanted to let our readers know that leaders in the field of inner ear disorders have reaffirmed their recommendation of Vestibular Rehabilitation as a beneficial treatment for dizziness and balance disorders. BPPV is the cause of approximately 50% of dizziness in older adults ^[1].

Recently at the Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s 2013 Annual Meeting, the American Academy of Otolaryngology revised a position statement regarding Vestibular Rehabilitation. Their position now states that:

 “Vestibular Rehabilitation, or Balance Retraining Therapy, is a scientifically based and clinically valid therapeutic modality for the treatment of persistent dizziness and postural instability due to incomplete compensation after peripheral vestibular or central nervous system injury.”

“Vestibular Rehabilitation is a valid form of therapy for dizziness and imbalance resulting from the medical or surgical treatment of vertigo disorders and for acute vertigo or persistent imbalance that may result from a variety of peripheral vestibular disorders.”

“Balance Retraining Therapy is also of significant benefit for fall prevention in the elderly patient who may suffer from multiple sensory and motor impairments or for those who have sensory disruption with moving visual information.”

Many sufferers of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance have benefitted from Vestibular Rehabilitation, and we know how important this treatment is to them. It is also a very positive sign when the work of Vestibular Rehabilitation professionals is declared clinically valid by the Ear, Nose and Throat medical community.

^[1] Fife TD et al. Practice parameter: therapies for BPPV (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurol. 2008;70:2067-2074.