Vestibular Physical Therapy for People With Alzheimer Disease

Vestibular Physical Therapy for People With Alzheimer Disease

The purpose of this study is to assess the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week home-based vestibular physical therapy program in people with cognitive impairment.

This project uses a novel non-pharmacological treatment to improve balance and reduce falls in patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD) using a conceptual framework that combines current vestibular physical therapy (VPT) practice guidelines with the latest motor learning theories for cognitively-impaired patients. The modified VPT protocol for AD patients was developed by experts in VPT and motor learning in AD and will be tested. This pilot study will provide much-needed data about whether VPT can be adapted for patients with AD, and whether VPT shows promise in improving or stabilizing balance, spatial cognition, and gait function in patients with AD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• mild-AD diagnosis
• complaints or observation of gat disturbance

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to stand for 3 minutes without rest
• recent lower extremity fractures/severe sprains (within last six months)
• incapacitating back or lower extremity pain
• confounding neurologic or neuromuscular disorders
• presence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• pain elicited during cervical range of motion or limited cervical range of motion