A Field Guide to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Overview:

Imagine having a resource at your fingertips for treating the common and atypical forms of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

This online course was developed to be a "Go To", easy-to-access resource, combining evidence-based and years of clinical experience. 

This is a 6.5-hr online course for health care practitioners designed to develop a framework to improve their skills in screening, differential diagnosis, assessment and management of patients with BPPV. Our goal is that participants experience a transition from feeling uncertain in their abilities or understanding of BPPV to feeling confident in their skillset and experience improved patient outcomes along with an increased demand for their services with this patient population should they choose.

Aside from the 4 learning modules and the many downloads there are tutorials, case studies (includes recordings of actual sessions), and a list of our "Go To" resources to reinforce the material covered.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of module 1, participants will be able to:

• Explain in lay terms the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system.
• Explain the theories behind the two different forms of BPPV. 
• Understand how common BPPV is and its impact not only on the individual, but the community.
  
  

At the conclusion of module 2, participants will be able to:

• Understand the key components to taking a patient history.
• Understand the key characteristics of BPPV. 
• Understand what clues in the history taking warrant further investigation. 
• Understand assessment techniques to help rule in BPPV affecting the posterior, lateral, and anterior canals.
• Evaluate the nystagmus with positional testing and categorize the findings as coming from either the posterior, lateral, or anterior canal.
  
  

At the conclusion of module 3, participants will be able to:

• Create and implement a treatment plan for those who would benefit from treatment for the various forms of BPPV.
• Understand the expectations for treatment, outcomes, and timeframes for treatment of the various forms of BPPV.
• Understand how to perform a canalith repositioning technique for the various forms of BPPV.
• Understand how to deal with more complicated issues like multi canal involvement, nausea, recurrent BPPV, and red flags. 
• Understand alternative treatment options from Vitamin D to surgery.
  
  

At the conclusion of module 4, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate a patient’s nystagmus, then determine who would respond to vestibular therapy and those who would need further consultation.
• Evaluate the history and examination to determine how to treat sustained ageotropic nystagmus. 
• Understand the various resources available to assist the clinician in improving their understanding and management of BPPV. 

Audience

Beginner to advanced - so, really any healthcare practitioner who treats or is interested in treating BPPV.

What is Included

• PDF downloads of the lesson slides to refer to as needed.
• Multiple “cheat sheets” to refer to during one’s busy day.
• Links to numerous resources that will help reinforce the material covered. 
• Step-by-step video demonstrations with written instructions of all of the techniques covered in the course. 
• Video demonstrations of positive positional testing for the posterior, lateral, and anterior canals.
• Case studies and tutorials. 
• A literature review with a PDF of all of the references.

See What Others Are Saying

"It is so much easier to understand and remember when the why's are explained. Understanding why something works just makes such a difference." - Becky PT

"I've taken a few of weekend courses and webinars on BPPV and thought that my foundations were solid. This course was able to fill in gaps I didn't know were there, and allow me to be more confident with difficult cases." - Jordan PT

"This course was fantastic!! It covers everything I need to know to confidently and effectively treat BPPV in any canal. I liked the variety of media used, (PowerPoint presentation, live demonstration and explanation using an anatomical model). I can't wait to start using what I learned in clinic right away." - Jennifer PT

Looking for Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

This course is approved for 6.5 hours of continuing education for US physical therapists in all the states, with the exception of CA, NV, NM, TX, OK, IL, MN, LA, MS, OH, WV, FL, MD, DC, NY, NJ.

This course has also been approved for CPDs for South African Physical Therapists.

For more information about CEUs/CPDs, please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page (scroll down).