The Mighty Vestibular System
Presented by Tracy Stackhouse
Non-Financial: Tracy Stackhouse has no competing non-financial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Meet your instructor
Tracy Stackhouse
Tracy Stackhouse is a clinical pediatric occupational therapist who has specialized in working with children, adults, and families affected by fragile x syndrome (FXS) and Fragile X related conditions since the late 1980s. Through this work, first at Children's Hospital in Denver, continuing at the UC Davis MIND Institute,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Why The Vestibular System Is So Mighty
The focus of this training is to deepen understanding of the vestibular system, a system so mighty that it is at the crux of understanding ourselves and the world around us. This chapter introduces what will be covered, identifying the frame of reference (ASI) as well as general terminology. The review will include the functional neuroanatomy and how the sensory information is integrated into key adaptive functions including postural control, motion, equilibrium, spatial orientation, and arousal modulation The course will include general information for assessment and treatment planning. This topic is important for pediatric OTs, as vestibular processing, together with the somatosensory system, form the focal foundation for Ayres' Sensory Integration (ASI) Theory.
2. Receptors: Anatomy Structure and Functions
This chapter provides detailed information about the location, structure, and function of the vestibular apparatus. The vestibular labyrinth includes semicircular canals and macular receptors, the utricle and saccule. The location in the inner ear, the bilateral partnering of the right and left labyrinthine structures, and their relative position in the head are reviewed so that the information received by these structures can be visualized for enhanced clinical reasoning in a vestibular-based intervention approach.
3. Pathways and Functions
Vestibular information is carried via the eighth cranial nerve through central vestibular pathways. The organization of the pathways as they move into the brainstem and then share information across the CNS is presented such that the structure/function relationships are more apparent. This allows the clinician to visualize receptors through pathways to adapt function and increase precision in clinical reasoning for enhanced treatment planning.
4. Adaptive Integrative Functions of the Vestibular System
The vestibular system is mighty, in part because it is structurally and functionally integrated into such a wide range of adaptive functions. This chapter reviews the sensory modulation and sensory discrimination aspects of vestibular contributions to postural/ocular functions, body control, gravity management, balance, and equilibrium, laterality, coordination, spatial, and temporal processing, problem solving, executive functions, social cognition, stability of self, affect/arousal/attention/action regulation systems, and emotional regulation. This range of adaptive capacities ties to Ayres’ theory of vestibular integration being necessary for daily occupational performance and that when difficulties arise, identifying how the vestibular function may be involved allows for proper treatment.
5. Clinical Application of Vestibular System Information
A general idea of basic postural, ocular, balance, spatial, and timing aspects of vestibular integration and how they can be addressed in formal assessments, clinical observations, and within treatment for increasing power and precision and maximizing outcomes is provided in this final chapter.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Medbridge courses.
Who creates Medbridge courses?
We work with industry-leaders, top researchers, and consultants to build content roadmaps that are then structured into courses, filmed, and edited by our production team before being launched to our site.
How often does Medbridge release new courses?
New courses are added monthly and are automatically included in your subscription as they launch.
How often does Medbridge update courses?
Medbridge reviews its courses annually for relevance and to assess if content is up to date. Based on these reviews it may be determined that a course is out of date resulting in the course being re-filmed or retired, if the content is no longer needed (e.g. a replacement course already exists, the concepts are no longer best practice, etc.).
How many courses does Medbridge offer?
We have over 3,000 accredited courses and we are continually updating our library with new courses. Check our course library for the most up-to-date count for your discipline.
Are there any additional fees for taking a Medbridge course?
There are no additional fees for taking a Medbridge course, obtaining a course certificate of completion, earning CEUs as a subscriber, or accessing any of the additional tools your subscription may include.
Is there a limit to the number of courses I can take?
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as a subscriber! As a subscriber to Medbridge, you have unlimited access to over 3,000+ accredited CE courses.
If you are a Premium subscriber, you also have unlimited access to our Patient Engagement Tools such as the Home Exercise Program, Patient Education Library, Orthopedic Exam Tests, and Manual Therapy Techniques. We have over 7,000 exercises and over 650+ videos and handouts of patient education resources with more exercises and patient education added to the library based on subscriber feedback, volume of request and specialities.
What is your refund policy?
You are eligible for a refund provided your request is received within 30 days of your subscription purchase and your account has no activity.