The focus of the seminar series is to call for experts related to academia and research in the areas related to biomechanics, variability, motor disorders, physical therapy, and related studies.

Presentation Title: Moving Beyond the Reflex: Using Perceptual Testing To Probe Human Vestibular Function

Presentation Abstract:

Balance assessments allow clinicians to efficiently predict fall risk and are instrumental for guiding rehabilitation. Although certain findings can suggest a vestibular mediated balance syndrome (i.e., imbalance on foam with the eyes closed), balance assessments cannot infer the “specific” vestibular modality contributing to the observed balance impairment.  This limitation results from the inability of balance assessments to account for the multi-modal nature of the vestibular sensory apparatus. The vestibular system consists of a collection of 10 sensors that collectively permit humans to sense and respond to 3DoF of head translation, 3DoF of head rotation, ad 3DoF of head tilt. To address this limitation, we’ve developed a vestibular perceptual threshold test battery capable of separately interrogating each aspect of the vestibular periphery (3 semicircular canals and 2 otolith organs) , in addition to central canal-otolith integration, using a single methodology. The specificity of vestibular perceptual assessments provides a framework for identifying specific contributions to imbalance, and for developing novel interventions to improve balance and vestibular function. 

About the speaker:

Andrew Wagner received his doctorate in physical therapy from Gannon University and completed a neurologic physical therapy residency at Marquette University.  Afterward, he became a Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist and entered clinical practice in the area of vestibular rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Wagner went on to receive his PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Ohio State University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department within the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Wagner’s research activities are focused on discovering novel treatments to address perceptual dysfunction resulting from vestibular pathology.