Related Experiment Videos
Outcomes after rehabilitation for adults with balance dysfunction
Mary Beth Badke1, Terry A Shea, James A Miedaner
1Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53562, USA. mb.badke@hosp.wisc.edu
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|February 18, 2004
Summary
Vestibular rehabilitation significantly improved balance, gait, and visual acuity in patients. Older age and poorer pre-therapy visual acuity were linked to less improvement in dynamic gait.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
Background:
- Balance and gait disorders are common, impacting daily function.
- Vestibular and balance rehabilitation programs aim to improve these deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate outcomes of a vestibular and balance rehabilitation program.
- To identify factors associated with improvements in balance and ambulation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 20 patients in an outpatient tertiary care setting.
- Customized exercise programs including gaze stabilization, balance, gait training, and habituation.
- Outcome measures: Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Visual Acuity Test (DVAT), Sensory Organization Test (SOT).
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in DGI scores for both peripheral vestibular dysfunction and central balance disorders.
- Significant improvement in BBS scores for the central balance disorders group.
- Average improvement of over 2 lines on the DVAT; older age and poorer pre-therapy vertical dynamic visual acuity were associated with lower DGI scores.
Conclusions:
- Functional improvements in balance, visual acuity, and gait stability were observed post-therapy.
- Age and pre-therapy dynamic visual acuity influenced dynamic gait outcomes.