Vertigo management key tool to preventing falls in older patients  

A research project with older patients in the community care setting has highlighted the importance of managing vertigo to prevent falls.  

Research by Advanced Physiotherapist Ann Rahmann has highlighted the need to screen for vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction in older people to reduce falls.

Community and Oral Health (COH) Advanced Physiotherapist and Research Co-ordinator Dr Ann Rahmann said dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear can result in dizziness and imbalance, increasing the risk of falls and reducing quality of life regardless of age.  

“Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is more common in older people or those who have fallen. Identifying and managing this issue is especially important given the ageing population and age of patients seen across community-based rehabilitation services,” Dr Rahmann said.  

“Appropriate management of BPPV can reduce subsequent falls by up to 60 per cent and is important for the patient’s ongoing health and wellbeing.”  

As part of ‘The need for vestibular system screening in Community and Oral Health’s Older Patients’ research project, a vestibular screening tool (VST+) was initially developed for the Brighton Rehabilitation Unit, an inpatient service which supports around 700 patients each year who require intensive therapy following illness or injury to regain function and independence.  

“This tool allowed us to clearly identify clients who required screening for BPPV and rehabilitation for vestibular dysfunction,” Dr Rahmann said.   

In preparation for the implementation, a service-wide chart audit was undertaken. Of the 318 admitted clients who were audited over a short period, a total of 205 clients or 64 per cent of clients met the criteria for VST+ screening.  

The VST+ tool is now being implemented across COH community-based services to identify the specific implementation process required within each team or service.