Specific Interventions

Description/Progressions

Rationale

VOR X1/X2 exercises with walking

Same X1/X2 exercises described previously but now performed during forward ambulation with the patient holding the pen. Progressed with duration, speed of gait and head turns.

Mimic functional everyday tasks and promote safe vestibular adaptation.

VOR X1/X2 exercises with side-stepping

Same X1/X2 exercises described previously but now performed while side-stepping in frontal plane with patient holding the pen. Progressed with duration, speed of gait and head turns.

Challenge vestibular system and promote vestibular adaption through functional movement.

Stool push

With patient seated on stool, therapist pushes patient (forward translation) while patient performed head turns in various directions. Progressed with speed of head turns and speed of linear translation.

Mimic functional driving scenario and enhance vestibular adaptation.

Stability ball arm reaches

Patient seated on stability ball and reaches arms in various directions with trunk excursion. Progressed to eyes closed and perturbations.

Challenge dynamic stability and encourage cephalocaudal functional activity.

Stability ball marching

Patient seated on stability ball alternating lifting legs from floor. Progressed to opposite arm/leg, eyes closed, and perturbations.

Narrow base of support in order to increase somatosensory demands.

Ladder drills

Various stepping drills with agility ladder. Progressed to head turns, different visual fixation, increased speeds.

Reinforce normalized movement patterns and ability for vestibular system to adapt to transition in direction and speed.

Cone reaches

Hip hinge on single leg (golfer’s lift) reaching for cones placed near patient’s feet.

Mimic functional reaching task and promote vestibular adaptation.

Patient education on playing flute

Patient brought flute into clinic so therapist could understand demands of the activity and offer suggestions to minimize symptoms.

Functional activity of high importance to patient.