Interdisciplinary Vestibular Screening and Treatment Protocols for TBI, SCI, and Oncologic Diagnoses in Inpatient Rehabilitation 1928

Thursday, October 30, 2025

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Location: ROOM: Private Dining Room #4 >>> DIRECTIONS Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, take the elevator to the 3rd Floor. Turn left and walk past Astoria and turn left into the corridor. PDR #4 is at the end of the hallway.

Corresponding Presenter(s)

Claire E. Spech, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist
Atrium Health Carolina's Rehabilitation
Charlotte, NC, United States

Slides Slides

Presenter(s)

Sima A. Desai, MD, MS (she/her/hers)

BIM Fellowship Program Director, Assistant Professor
Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation & Wake Forest SOM
Charlotte, NC, United States
Katie L. Sewell, PT, DPT (she/her/hers)

Coordinator for Clinical Excellence, Director, AH Neurologic PT Residency Program
Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation
Charlotte, NC, United States
Kelly Werts, DPT (she/her/hers)

Physical Therapist
Advocate Health
Charlotte, NC, United States

Vestibular dysfunction is common in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and oncologic diagnoses, yet it is often underrecognized. Standardized screening protocols can improve identification and treatment, optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.

This presentation will outline the development and implementation of vestibular screening protocols tailored to inpatient rehabilitation.

Evidence-based assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and workflow integration strategies will be discussed. Common barriers such as clinician training, time constraints, and variability in patient presentation will be addressed, with solutions for overcoming these challenges.

Attendees will gain practical strategies to implement standardized screening protocols, improving early detection and treatment of vestibular dysfunction.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and oncologic diagnoses in the inpatient rehabilitation setting.
Evaluate the impact of vestibular dysfunction on fall risk, length of stay, and risk for significant comorbid diagnoses.
Identify the key components of standardized vestibular screening protocols, including evidence-based assessments and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Outline strategies for integrating vestibular screening into existing clinical workflows to enhance early identification and intervention.
Discuss common barriers to implementing novel vestibular screening protocols and propose practical solutions to overcome these challenges.