Therapeutic physical activity for people with vestibular impairments

Vestibular function is necessary to engage in activities of daily living such as walking and running, and is often unrecognized as a contributor to our balance system until the system is impaired due to disease or the aging process. This impairment to our vestibular system can result in debilitating symptoms and clinical signs of gaze and postural instability. An individualized exercise program, known as vestibular and balance rehabilitation therapy (VBRT) alleviates symptoms and facilitates the compensation process to improve impaired gaze stability, postural instability, and gait after vestibular deficits. Exercises range from static to dynamic movements, focusing on the central mechanisms to promote compensation and recovery from loss of function: adaptation, habituation, and sensory substitution. Sufficient evidence supports the use of VBRT as a therapeutic physical activity approach for people with vestibular impairments.