UPDATE ON VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION THERAPY

Although the concept of using exercises as part of the treatment for p atients with persistent vertigo was introduced several decades ago, or ganized vestibular rehabilitation therapy programs have only recently been introduced. These programs typically involve a three-pronged appr oach, customized to the needs of the individual patient: (1) habituati on exercises designed to facilitate central nervous system compensatio n by extinguishing pathologic responses to head motion, (2) postural c ontrol exercises, and (3) general conditioning activities. This articl e provides an update regarding the status of vestibular rehabilitation , reviewing the concept of vestibular compensation and patient selecti on criteria for current rehabilitative techniques.