Fall Prevention - Vestibular Rehabilitation
Alzheimer Dementia (AD), Vascular Dementia
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Alzheimer Dementia (AD)
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Elderly people ages 65 and older
- English speaking
- Can log their participation or have a caregiver log on their behalf
- Mild/moderate dementia [(1) Alzheimer's disease, (2) small vessel vascular dementia not related to stroke and (3) mixed dementia of Alzheimer's or small vessel vascular not related to stroke] or mild/moderate cognitive impairment
- Vestibular Impairment
Exclusion Criteria:
- Neurological disease (e.g. seizures, stroke, hemorrhage, central nervous system tumor, multiple sclerosis)
- Being diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder (e.g. Major depression episode, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc.)
- Those with a current inner ear infection
- Those with severe neck arthritis
- Those with Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Severe cognitive impairment as defined by a MoCA <15
- Following etiologies of dementia: Dementia due to Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalous
Sites / Locations
- Toronto Western Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
No Intervention
Vestibular Training (Intervention Group)
Usual Care (Control group)
For the actual intervention, participants will be asked to commit a total of approximately 20 minutes a day of vestibular exercise, divided into three separate sessions (i.e. three 7 minute sessions). These will include eye movement exercises, walking and balancing. Every 2 weeks, there will be a slight change to the exercises to increase difficulty. (i.e. balancing on one leg or walking with head turns)
Patients that are randomized to standard of care Control group will undergo Baseline and 12-week assessments including vestibular testing and questionnaires.