Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy of physical
therapy for patients with bilateral vestibular loss. Study Design. Retrospe
ctive case series. Methods: Twenty-four patients with a diagnosis of bilate
ral vestibular loss were identified by a retrospective chart review. Thirte
en of the 24 patients met the inclusion criteria of having a moderate or gr
eater loss of vestibular function bilaterally as rated by an otoneurologist
based on the patient's vestibular function tests. These patients were trea
ted with a custom-designed physical therapy program for a mean of 4.6 visit
s over an average period of 3.8 months. Patients completed the Dizziness Ha
ndicap Inventory and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale at in
itial evaluation and discharge. Patients were asked to perform the balance
and gait tasks of the Dynamic Gait Index, Sensory Organization Test of comp
uterized dynamic posturography, and the Timed "Up and Go" test at their fir
st and last physical therapy sessions. The number of falls in the previous
4 weeks and the use of an assistive device at initial evaluation and discha
rge were reported. Composite score, an overall score of clinical outcome, w
as calculated to determine clinically significant changes in physical perfo
rmance and subjective information. Results. On a population basis, statisti
cally significant improvement was observed after physical therapy for each
of the outcome measures including the composite score (P < .05). Clinically
significant changes were demonstrated by 33% to 55% of the patients on the
various outcome measures. No change was noted in the patients' risk of fal
ling, their number of falls, and the use of assistive devices. Conclusion:
Many patients with bilateral vestibular loss benefit from an individualized
vestibular physical therapy exercise program based on improved physical fu
nction and reduced self-perceived levels of handicap.