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| Unit name |
Balance and Balance Disorders |
| Unit code |
AUDI30010 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. El Refaie |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
School of Applied Community and Health Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit provides an introduction to sensory and motor mechanisms involved in normal balance and disorders that affect these mechanisms. It will address clinical investigation of vestibular dysfunction/ balance disorder and a range of management approaches for rehabilitation.
Aims:
- To describe the normal function of the vestibular system
- To describe disorders of the vestibular system
- To instruct students on how to perform clinical tests of balance dysfunction
- To explain medical and surgical techniques used in treatment of vestibular disorders
- To explore management strategies for balance retraining therapy
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Understand the basics of current clinical tests of balance dysfunction and investigation of gait and abnormal eye movement
- Describe and interpret the current assessment methods for balance dysfunction including the use of a range of audiological investigations and testing procedures
- Describe the principles of repositioning manoeuvre
- Describe the basics of visual, proprioceptive, vestibular and central mechanisms for the perception of equilibrium
- Describe the basics of motor mechanisms that maintain stable equilibrium and retinal image
- Describe and identify possible causes for balance disorders
- Describe current medical and surgical techniques for the management of balance disorders
- Identify prescribed drugs and their contraindications relating to tinnitus and the balance disorders
- Identify the relationship between stress and vertigo
- Explain the effects of age and other factors affecting balance
- Describe the range of rehabilitation approaches to the management of balance disorders including counselling skills, cognitive behavioural therapy and stress management and the evidence base for these
Identify the appropriate use of balance retraining exercises in a rehabilitation programme
Teaching Information
Lectures, workshops, practical sessions and case studies.
Assessment Information
Assignment (2,000 words) (40%)
Clinical case study/Assessment interpretation (20%)
1 hour exam short questions (40%)
Reading and References
Shepard, N & Talian, S (1996) Practical management of the balance disorder patient
Baloh, R. et al eds. (1996) Disorders of the Vestibular System
Goebel, J. (2001) Practical Management of Dizzy Patient
Herdman, S. (2000) Vestibular Rehabilitation
Jacobson, G. et al (1997) Handbook of Balance Function Testing
Luxon, L. and Davies, R. (1997) Handbook of Vestibular Rehabilitation
Luxon, L. et al (2002) Audiological Medicine
