ANPT Vestibular Special Interest Group

Host Stephen Merchant PT, DPT, NCS is joined by Dr. Linda Horn PT, DScPT, MHS, FNAP and Dr. Pamela Dunlap DPT, PhD for a discussion related to Dynamic Visual Acuity Testing. 

Host Maureen Clancy PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Holly Paczan PT, MPT, NCS and Sara Oxborough PT, DPT for a case study discussion of a patient who initially presented after sustaining a fall. Holly Paczan is a physical therapist and board certified clinical specialist in neurological physical therapy at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. She has over 16 years of clinical experience, specializing in the treatment of patients with neurological conditions primarily in the areas of stoke, brain injury and vestibular dysfunction, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She is currently the Clinical Manager for the Legs and Walking Lab and serves as co-chair of the ACRM RTSS Clinical Applications task force and as ANPT Vestibular SIG nominating chair. Sara Oxborough is a physical therapist within the ENT Department at the University of Minnesota Physicians, adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota and Augustana University and Director of Education for Vestibular First. She has more than 18 years of experience specializing the treatment of patients with vestibular and balance impairments. She serves as secretary for the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group and teaches vestibular rehabilitation courses at the local, national and international levels.

Host Robin Evans PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, AVPT is joined by Jenna Tucker, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS and Lauren Ziaks, PT, DPT, ATC, NCS in a discussion on dysautonomia.

 Robin Evans is a dedicated Physical Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in Vestibular Rehab and is a board certified geriatric clinical specialist. Robin was a senior level physical therapist at NYU Langone Medical Center Rusk Institute for over 10 years, receiving her Emory vestibular competency certification back in 2005. She earned her Advanced Vestibular Physical Therapy Certification through University of Pittsburgh in 2023 and is a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult. Dr. Evans is passionate about teaching vestibular content and bringing vestibular rehab to the forefront of physical therapy. She is passionate about raising awareness for Vestibular screening in older adults. She’s currently the Director of Ivy Rehab ‘s Geriatric and Vestibular Specialty Program, developing content, teaching, and building this specialty service line.  

Dr. Jenna Tucker is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Kean University, where she has served as the Neurological Curriculum Coordinator since 2019. She has also been a practicing clinician since 2011, including inpatient, outpatient and home-care rehabilitation for adults with neurologic dysfunction, specializing in brain injury. Dr. Tucker earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, with a minor in psychology, from Northeastern University. She has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 2014 and recertified in 2024; she has also held certification as a Brain Injury Specialist since 2012. Dr. Tucker is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ. Dr. Tucker’s research focuses on brain injury rehabilitation and examination/treatment of dysautonomia. Her speaking experience includes workshop symposia at national and state-wide conferences, poster presentations at national and state-wide conferences, as well as frequent presentations at local conferences, institutional events and as a guest lecturer within interprofessional healthcare programs. She was the recipient of the 2023 Brain Injury Alliance of NJ’s “Jill Schulman Community Pillar Award”, multiple poster awards and in 2024, Dr. Tucker was recognized at Kean University’s Faculty Research Mentor of the Year. 

Dr. Lauren Ziaks earned a Bachelor’s in Athletic Training and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, with a concentration in Business, from Northeastern University. She is currently enrolled at Nova Southeastern University for her Ph.D. in Health Science. She has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 2022 and earned her certification in Vestibular Rehabilitation in 2021. Since 2015, Dr. Ziaks has built a specialized comprehensive concussion, long-COVID, and dysautonomia management program which she now leads at Park City Hospital. She has also served as a lab instructor and guest lecturer for multiple universities over a 10-year period. Her clinical focus is on autonomic disorders and vision and vestibular rehabilitation to address chronic headaches, difficulty with school/work, reading deficits, attention deficits, exercise intolerance, and dizziness and balance issues post head trauma and long-COVID. She has had the opportunity to contribute to two physical therapy neurologic textbooks and is a co-author for the Intermountain Health preferred practice pattern for dysautonomia. Dr. Ziaks is a co-creator of the Utah ADaPT protocol and the ZINC protocol. Her research focuses on examination and treatment of concussion and dysautonomia, which has been disseminated as peer-reviewed publications, poster presentations, and conference workshops at local, state and national levels. Dr. Ziaks’ speaking experience includes poster presentations at state and national conferences, workshop presentations at state and national conferences including APTA CSM 2023 & 2024, development of a series of CEU approved courses, and presentations at local and institution-based conferences for more than 10 years. 

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Host Sarah Pichini PT, DPT is joined by Dr. Robin Evans, PT, DPT, GCS discussing a case study of a patient with bilateral multi canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and underlying Vestibular Migraine (VM). A systematic approach in assessing and treating multi canal BPPV as well as the criteria for VM is reviewed. This case discussion highlights the importance of nystagmus identification, the approach to formulate a differential diagnosis in patients with positional vertigo as well as the need for interdisciplinary management to optimize patient outcomes.

https://content.iospress.com/download/journal-of-vestibular-research/ves201644?id=journal-of-vestibular-research%2Fves201644

https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/types-of-vestibular-disorders/vestibular-migraine/

https://aao-hnsfjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1177/0194599816689667

Please send comments or questions on this podcast to [email protected]

To learn more about the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Vestibular Special Interest Group visit www.neuropt.org.

Host Stephen Merchant PT, DPT, NCS is joined by Dr. Lisa Heusel-Gillig PT, DPT, NCS in a discussion regarding the development of the Modified Motion Sensitivity Test. Dr. Heusel-Gillig describes the reason she assisted in the development of this testing as well as the recommended standardized process to perform the test.

The abstract of Dr. Heusel-Gillig’s research article may be found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35970158/

To learn more about the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Vestibular Special Interest Group visit www.neuropt.org.

Host Jennifer Burus PT, NCS is joined by Anne W. Hunt, PhD, OT Reg (Ontario) and Nick Reed, PhD, MScOT, OT Reg (Ontario) for a discussion on multidisciplinary care for pediatric patients with concussion. Dr. Hunt is an Assistant Professor Teaching Stream in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto where she teaches courses on pediatric rehabilitation and fieldwork. Her research focuses on developing interventions that enable individuals with brain injury to participate optimally in meaningful activities in everyday life. Dr. Reed is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto where he directs the OAK (Outcomes, Advocacy and Knowledge) Concussion Lab and holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Pediatric Concussion.  His work focuses on developing, delivering and evaluating research, educational and clinical programming specific to youth and concussion.

The Vestibular Special Interest Group is a part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. neuropt.org.

Host Maureen Clancy PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Joanna Wolfson PhD, ABPP and Emily Kostelnik PhD in a discussion on the integration of psychological care for patients with vestibular disorders. Dr. Kostelnik is a Clinical Health Psychologist who focuses on behavioral health education for the vestibular community through her company Rooted Behavioral Education and provides licensed consultation and therapy through her private practice, The Vestibular Psychologist. Dr. Wolfson is a senior psychologist at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Health and Clinical Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology and provides individual and group psychotherapy to patients with vestibular and medical conditions.

Host Puja Agarwal PT, DPT, MHA is joined by Dr. Jacob McPherson, PT, DPT, PhD, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and a member of the University of Buffalo Concussion Management and Research Center Team to discuss strategies on how best to advocate for Vestibular Rehabilitation. His current research focuses on the effects of sport and non-sport related concussion on vestibular function as well as the interdisciplinary clinical management of concussion. Dr. McPherson plays a vital role in advocating for and raising awareness of Vestibular Rehabilitation.

The Vestibular Special Interest Group is apart of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. neuropt.org.

Host Maureen Clancy PT, DPT, OCS is joined by Helena Esmonde PT, DPT, NCS and Sara Oxborough PT in a discussion regarding recent updates regarding Vestibular Migraine and Meniere’s Disease. They delve into the prevalence, physiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment strategies for both disorders.

The Vestibular Special Interest Group is apart of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, neuropt.org.

For further information view these sources:

 ICHD Vestibular Migraine Criteria: https://ichd-3.org/appendix/a1-migraine/a1-6-episodic-syndromes-that-may-be-associated-with-migraine/a1-6-6-vestibular-migraine/

Meniere’s Criteria: https://www.audiology.org/classifications-of-menieres-disease/
Vestibular Migraine Clinical Pearls: https://vestibularfirst.com/vestibular-migraine-clinical-pearls-practice-tips/

Migraine-related Journal Clubs including topics on Vestibular Migraine with Dr. Shin Beh and Migraine and Nutrition with The Dizzy Cook: https://www.youtube.com/@VestibularFirst/streams

Mediation and Educational Resources: https://www.symmetryalliance.com/

Host Puneet Dhaliwal, PT, DPT, NCS is joined by Drs. Anne K. Galgon, PT, MPT, PhD and Andrew E. Littman, PT, PhD. Drs. Anne Galgon and Andrew Littmann are a part of task force that published“A Survey of Entry-Level Physical Therapy Education Content for Vestibular Rehabilitation”. Task Force constituted of the following individuals: Galgon, Anne K. PT, MPT, PhD; Roberts, Holly J. PT, PhD; Littmann, Andrew E. PT, PhD; Heusel-Gillig, Lisa L. PT, DPT; Dransfield, Lisa PT, DPT, MA; Plishka, Charles M. PT, DPT; Wrisley, Diane M. PT, PhD. 

Dr. Anne Galgon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Saint Joseph’s University.  Dr. Galgon is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurological physical therapy with advance training in vestibular rehabilitation. She has 35 years of experience as a physical therapist primarily managing patients with neurologic, vestibular and balance disorders. Over the past 21 years she held faculty positions in physical therapy at Neumann University and Temple University, and University of the Sciences where she taught courses in movement sciences, neurosciences, evidence-based practice and clinical management of neuromuscular and vestibular disorders. Her current research focuses on physical therapy management of vestibular disorders.

Dr. Littmann is associate professor in the School of Physical Therapy at Regis University in Denver, CO. He specializes in rehabilitation of neurological disorders and has practiced vestibular rehabilitation for the last 20 years. He is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and serves national roles on the APTA’s Council on Frontiers in Rehabilitation Science and Technology, and the vestibular special interest group. He was a member of the critical appraisal team for the recently published clinical practice guidelines for vestibular hypofunction.

This episode discusses task force’s journey in development of their survey, disparities in VR content, expected level of performance, and the amount of time dedicated to VR at Entry level Education in Physical Therapy programs.

The Vestibular Special Interest Group is apart of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, neuropt.org.