Behind the Falls: Identifying Vestibular Dysfunction in High Risk Fallers

This continuing education course equips clinicians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify vestibular dysfunction as a contributing factor to falls. Participants will review essential vestibular anatomy and explore how impairments within this system increase fall risk. The course covers common vestibular pathologies with a special emphasis on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), including its strong association with falls, key risk factors, and relevant history-taking considerations such as dizziness descriptors and medical comorbidities. Clinicians will learn to utilize standardized outcome measures commonly used in vestibular assessment and differentiate vestibular causes of dizziness from non-vestibular conditions that present similarly. The course concludes with guidance on recognizing which patients require referral for more comprehensive vestibular evaluation, ensuring safer and more targeted patient management.

Audience: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants

Objectives: At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and its role in postural stability

• Identify common vestibular pathologies and relevance to fall risk

• Explain the relationship between vestibular dysfunction and falls, including mechanisms through which impairments contribute to instability

• Recognize risk factors associated with common vestibular disorders

• Differentiate vestibular causes of dizziness from non-vestibular conditions

• Discuss standardized outcome measures commonly used in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation

• Apply knowledge to patient case studies to differentially diagnose vestibular pathology and to identify indications for vestibular referral