Brain Injury

Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)

Symposium

(636459) Demystifying the 'Dizzy' in Post-Concussive Patients

Presenter(s)

• 

  Abby Wicks, OD, FAAO

  Neuro-Optometrist
  NICoE Intrepid Spirit Center - Fort Hood
  Georgetown, Texas
• KR

  Kyle Reid, PT, DPT

  Physical Therapist
  Intrepid Spirit Center, NICoE – Fort Hood, TX
  Fort Hood, Texas

Dizziness is a common symptom of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and is the greatest predictor of prolonged recovery. Symptoms can wax and wane for several years. Our sense of balance is composed of three major feeder systems: vision, vestibular, and somatosensory organization. Poor processing of one or more of these systems can result in a sense of imbalance, disequilibrium or dizziness. In order to determine where dizziness is resulting from, proper assessment of these three systems in isolation and collectively is required. This lecture is designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaboration among various rehabilitation providers in treating dizziness.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the input systems of balance and common visual and balance dysfunction as a consequence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)
• Construct an evaluation model for vision care providers and vestibular providers to apply to patients presenting with history of mTBI and complaints of dizziness
• Recommend optometric and vestibular treatments and referrals which more fully resolve your dizzy patient’s symptom while building your network of referrals