Spatial Cognitive Training for Chronic Vestibular Disorders

Spatial Cognitive Training for Chronic Vestibular Disorders

In this study the investigators propose to apply cognitive training, which has been largely used in the realm of age-related cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, in a novel clinical context to individuals with vestibular impairment. In prior work the investigators observed that individuals with vestibular loss have evidence of spatial cognitive impairment. The investigators plan to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a cognitive training program in a sample of participants with chronic vestibular impairment who display deficits in spatial ability. The cognitive training program will focus on visuospatial skills and will be used as an adjunct to traditional vestibular physical therapy (VPT).

Patients with chronic vestibular dysfunction with report symptoms of spatial cognitive impairment will be offered cognitive training. The intervention will consist of a well-validated cognitive training protocol that specifically targets spatial navigation skills. The protocol was developed by Willis et al. for the Adult Development and Enrichment Trial (ADEPT) trial, which trains map reading and route-learning skills through mental rotation training tasks over the course of 5 weeks. Patients will be assessed by study staff pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and at 3 months post-intervention using spatial cognitive outcomes, quality of life measures, and gait and balance outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of chronic vestibular disorder (>6months & diagnosis from laboratory testing by neuro-otologist)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with dementia, or with blindness or deafness who cannot participate in cognitive training procedures.