Balance Retraining: Assessment of Sensory Systems
Presented by Laurie Swan
12-Month Subscription
Unlimited access to:
- Thousands of CE Courses
- Patient Education
- Home Exercise Program
- And more
Balance impairments in the elderly population are common, and therapists are key members of the health care team that have the critical skills for accurate assessment of systems that contribute to balance. This course reviews the systems that contribute to maintenance of balance, with a focus on assessment of the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems, as well as the integration of these three sensory systems in the central nervous system.
Meet your instructor
Laurie Swan
Laurie Swan, PhD, DPT, PT, CEEAA, is recognized nationally for providing high quality continuing education courses that focus on vestibular rehabilitation, balance training, and fall prevention in the elderly. Laurie received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Puget Sound, as well as a PhD in Applied…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Assessment of Primary Sensory Systems: Part A
This chapter introduces “balance” as a construct that includes a number of characteristics and attributes. The participant will learn two assessments that identify whether the patient has somatosensation that can be used to maintain balance.
2. Assessment of Primary Sensory Systems: Part B
Dr. Swan introduces focal and ambient vision, how each of these visual systems contributes to balance, and how to assess them. The participant will learn how the vestibular system contributes to balance. Dr. Swan demonstrates how to conduct a bedside oculomotor exam.
3. Assessment of Sensory Weighting
The participant is introduced to sensory weighting. Dr. Swan demonstrates how to perform the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction on Balance (also known as “Foam and Dome”). She describes the role of the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems in each one of the six conditions.
