IVRT®
IVRT® training to become a Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist
Vestibular rehabilitation is an evidence-based and extremely effective therapy for dizziness. All studies and several systematic reviews, including one by Cochrane, have already proven the high effectiveness of this therapy.
- active since 2016 aktiv
- over 4000 therapists trained
- largest training institute for VRT in Europe
IVRT certificate
Qualified lectures
Entry in the therapist search
Overview
Why specialized training and education in dizziness?
Although the therapy is evidence-based and effective, there are unfortunately few therapists who specialize in the therapy. As a result, sufferers search in vain for therapists and are treated incorrectly or not at all!
Likewise, ENT doctors and neurologists are dependent on the support of specialized therapists to help them treat this patient group!
Not only patients and doctors benefit from specialized therapists, but you will also stand out from your colleagues with your newly acquired knowledge and skills. Because every practice and every hospital needs a specialist in dizziness!
As a freelancer or self-employed person with your own practice, you will also make a name for yourself by establishing new collaborations with ENT specialists and neurologists. You will convince your patients and doctors of your new skills.
Why choose training and education with IVRT?
The content of our training is based on the latest scientific knowledge! We follow international guidelines ("International guidelines for education in vestibular rehabilitation therapy" of the Barany Society and "Vestibular hypofunction clincal practice guideline" of the Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy) and the reference book "Vestibular Rehabilitation" by Prof. Herdman, probably the most renowned expert in the field of vestibular rehabilitation.
The contents of the IVRT training to become a vestibular rehabilitation specialistwere reviewed by Dr. Heusel-Gillig, the current physiotherapeutic director of the Dizziness Center of the Emory Clinic, and by the esteemed German expert Dr. von Brevern, and were found to be very good by both experts.
Pedagogy & didactics: After each quarter, our team of lecturers evaluates how we can teach you the content even more effectively. Internal training courses and modules at universities support us in this task. We also rely on multimedia learning, which brings more variety and is fun. Last but not least, lecturers with practical experience are a high priority for us: we use what we teach you ourselves every day in our practices!
The IVRT training to become a vestibular rehabilitation specialist lasts 4 days, whereas other providers want to entice you with shorter seminars. However, it is very important to us that we don't just scratch the surface of the topic, but really go into detail and turn you into experts!
Out of sight, but not out of mind! Especially after the training, you will need us when questions arise or when facing challenging cases. Of course, our team of lecturers will continue to support you even after the training!
Likewise, ENT doctors and neurologists are dependent on the support of specialized therapists to help them treat this patient group! Not only patients and doctors benefit from specialized therapists, but you will also stand out from your colleagues with your newly acquired knowledge and skills. Because every practice and every hospital needs a specialist in dizziness! As a freelancer or self-employed person with your own practice, you will also make a name for yourself by establishing new collaborations with ENT specialists and neurologists. You will convince your patients and doctors of your new skills.
Do you need tools to help your patients do the exercises at home? Do you want to advertise your newly acquired skills to doctors in your area? No problem, we can provide you with exercise brochures for your patients and flyers for marketing, which you can order exclusively and conveniently via our online store.
After the IVRT training to become a vestibular rehabilitation specialist , the learning really begins. Because learning means gaining experience and for that you need patients! Our list of therapists, which already includes more than 1500 addresses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and now has more than 1000 hits per month, is not only recommended in our YouTube videos, but also at congresses and in doctors' reports. After the training, you too will be part of the IVRT Community and be added to therapist search !
The difference
What makes us different?
As a graduate of the IVRT training to become a vestibular rehabilitation specialist , you will receive access to the password-protected course area, where all assessments and test forms are available for download, and examinations and exercises can be played as videos. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that you don't forget the practical content of the training course and can recall it again and again!
Get to know the IVRT
THE IVRT® TRAINING FOR
Dizziness and vestibular therapists
The Institute for Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy was founded with the aim of better training therapists in the field of vestibular disorders and consequently creating a network of experts for sufferers and doctors by training them as vertigo and vestibular therapists.
The training consists of a two-day basic course (Module I) and a two-day advanced course (Module II). Module I is the prerequisite for Module II. Only the IVRT basic course is recognized, as the content of the advanced training courses varies greatly from instructor to instructor.
In order to be included in the IVRT list of therapists, successful participation in the examination, which takes place during the Module II course, is a prerequisite. Only in this way can we promise patients and doctors competent therapists. Participation in Module II without the examination is possible, but in this case participants cannot be included in the list of therapists and will not receive the vestibular therapist certificate. In this case, participants will only receive a confirmation of participation.
To ensure that the knowledge and skills of our IVRT-certified therapists are always up to date, entry in the list of therapists is limited to three years. At the end of the three years, therapists can extend their entry in the list of therapists for a further three years by attending a one-day refresher course.
Training as a vestibular rehabilitation specialist
A disorder of the vestibular organ is by far the most common cause of dizziness. The evaluations of several clinics show: A vestibular disorder was the main cause of the leading symptom "vertigo" in 50% of cases. Vestibular vertigo has an annual prevalence of 5% among adults in Germany and thus occurs very frequently. However, most cases are not correctly diagnosed or treated. This is clearly illustrated by the example of benign, paroxysmal positional vertigo: only 8% of patients receive the correct treatment. Even during therapeutic training, hardly anything is taught about the treatment of the vestibular system. This quickly leads to the conclusion that it is high time for further training in this area! This is especially true as vestibular rehabilitation therapy can treat vertigo very effectively.
The symptom "dizziness" should also not be labeled as a geriatric syndrome. All age groups are affected by vestibular vertigo and the content of the training is an important addition to the therapeutic repertoire for all colleagues. For example, athletes often suffer from vestibular symptoms after a head injury. For colleagues who specialize in the cervical spine or temporomandibular joint, and therefore often encounter the symptom of "vertigo", differentiation of vertigo is also extremely essential. Furthermore, it is obvious that specific therapy of the vestibular system also plays a very important role in the area of fall prevention. In short: IVRT training to become a vertigo and vestibular therapist is a further training course that is worthwhile for everyone and from which everyone benefits!
Course content
Theory
- Relevant anatomy and physiology
- Pathology: Acoustic neuroma, vestibular neuritis, ototoxicity, Meniere's disease, presbyvestibulopathy and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- To know, understand, and interpret medical-technical examinations
Practice
- Examination of the vestibular organ: Diagnostic tests or test battery with high reliability to detect a vestibular hypofunction/disorder
- Exercises as part of vestibular rehabilitation therapy: evidence-based and effective therapy for vestibular dizziness
- Diagnosis and treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Reliable positional testing and evidence-based relief maneuvers
- Assessments: Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale and Functional Gait Assessment
- Critical evaluation of the evidence on cervicogenic vertigo and treatment recommendations
Training as a vestibular rehabilitation specialist
By participating in Module II, you will become a certified "Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist"and can distinguish yourself in an interdisciplinary setting. In addition to in-depth knowledge of vestibular causes, knowledge of non-vestibular causes is also important for this. The diagnostic part therefore focuses on non-vestibular causes. Furthermore, therapeutic approaches for the treatment of non-vestibular causes, such as orthostatic vertigo, are presented.
In the course module “Treatment,” the focus is on complex vestibular disorders such as vestibular migraine, post-traumatic dizziness, and somatoform or functional dizziness (recently also referred to as PPPD). In addition, key questions will be addressed, such as: “My patient experiences dizziness only when lying down, but the positional tests for all semicircular canals were negative – what else could be the cause?” or “The patient’s history strongly suggests a vestibular origin, but all my tests are negative. Could this be somatoform dizziness, and how can I treat this type of dizziness?”
Even if Module I is sufficient for the treatment of simple cases, Module II is necessary in order to be able to solve more complex cases. The "demo patient" in Module II, who is examined and treated together, also offers an opportunity to expand your knowledge.
By passing the knowledge test in Module II, you can be certified as a "Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist". If you successfully pass the exam, you will be included in the IVRT therapist search The IVRT therapist directory is used intensively by those affected and has already successfully referred many patients. The knowledge test is only necessary for the certificate and the list of therapists, i.e. you can also take part in the course without taking an exam.
Course content
Theory
- Pathology of non-vestibular causes: Side effects of medication, cardiovascular causes and metabolic/internal causes
- Pathology: Vestibular migraine, post-traumatic dizziness and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)
Practice
- Therapeutic assessment and treatment of non-vestibular diseases
- Further tests/assessments for visual dizziness, among other things
- Vestibular rehabilitation for vestibular migraine and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)
- Joint assessment and treatment of a "demo patient"
Exam
- In order to guarantee the knowledge and competence of our IVRT-certified participants and to promise doctors and patients competent therapists, we consider an examination to be necessary.
- The training, the course manuscript and the instructors will prepare you optimally for the exam and consequently a high success rate can be expected with active and committed participation. The exam consists of a written and a practical test.
- The written knowledge test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. In the practical part, the participant is asked to demonstrate a practical skill. Please download the PDF file with the practice questions to get a better idea of the exam. The file contains sample questions for the written and practical exam.
- In summary, we can promise those affected and doctors that our participants have completed a demanding further training course consisting of 38 teaching units and training and have successfully passed a written and practical examination.
- If you have any further questions about the exam, please contact the IVRT.
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