Vertigo in TBI

Care for TBI in the UK

Vestibular Rehab in TBI

Specialists in the field

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About US

Welcome to TBI Therapy Associates

At TBI Therapy Associates, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for clients with vestibular issues, regardless of their referral source. Our mission is to deliver the highest standard of care through evidence-based practices and personalised treatment plans. We believe that referring clients to our specialised vestibular therapy services offers significant benefits, enhancing not only their immediate well-being but also broader aspects like case management, legal outcomes, and financial efficiency.

Our approach centers on tailored care for symptoms such as dizziness, balance disorders, and vertigo. Each client receives a customised treatment plan designed to meet their specific needs, ensuring optimal outcomes. Whether referred by healthcare professionals, case managers, or legal and insurance experts, our clients benefit from our specialised expertise in vestibular rehabilitation

Personal Injury Solicitors: Referring TBI patients to vestibular physiotherapy improves their quality of life by addressing debilitating symptoms like dizziness and balance issues. This targeted care demonstrates a commitment to comprehensive treatment, potentially leading to better legal outcomes and settlements

Case Managers: Integrating vestibular therapists into the multidisciplinary team (MDT) for TBI patients helps identify underlying vestibular issues, prevent symptom escalation, improve balance function, and reduce long-term secondary consequences. This comprehensive approach ultimately enhances patient outcomes and overall quality of life

Medico-Legal Professionals: Incorporating vestibular physiotherapy into your medico-legal reports strengthens them with evidence-based outcomes. This specialized care addresses often-overlooked vestibular issues, providing a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s functional capacity and prognosis.

Health Professionals: Partnering with vestibular physiotherapists allows for a holistic approach to TBI care. Early treatment of vestibular dysfunction can prevent long-term complications, improve patient outcomes and enhance overall care.

Insurance Companies: Referring TBI patients to vestibular physiotherapy can lead to cost savings. Effective early treatment reduces the risk of post TBI chronic dizziness, decreases the need for extensive ongoing therapy and care, and lowers the overall financial burden of rehabilitation.

At TBI Therapy Associates, our mission is to bridge the gap in vestibular care for TBI patients and improve their health outcomes. We are committed to raising awareness among healthcare professionals, case managers, and legal and insurance experts about the critical importance of addressing vestibular issues. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Sincerely,

Samy Selvanayagam
Founder, TBI Therapy Associates Ltd.

I have extensive experience and a passion for improving patient outcomes for TBI patients with vestibular issues. My expertise in managing vestibular disorders ensures that whether you're seeking treatment, training, or expert witness services, you're in the best hands.

My commitment to professional development is reflected in my participation in numerous continuing professional development (CPD) courses. Notably, I completed the prestigious vestibular rehabilitation course led by Professor Susan Herdman at Emory University in 2009. This experience greatly influenced my approach to vestibular care, grounding my practice in evidence-based techniques and advanced clinical knowledge. 

In 2011, I received the Robert Williams International Award from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) at the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress held in Amsterdam. 

In 2012, I established DizzyCare Clinic to provide customised vestibular rehabilitation for patients with dizziness and DizzyCare Academy to offer CPD training for clinicians. Since then, over 1,500 clinicians have attended my courses, which have positively impacted patient care

After nearly 20 years in the NHS, I transitioned to focus on providing specialised vestibular care for TBI patients and established TBI Therapy Associates Ltd with a mission to offer comprehensive, personalised care to help TBI patients manage and overcome vestibular disorders

Although based in the Midlands, we are committed to making our services accessible nationwide, ensuring that all our clients receive the highest standard of vestibular care, regardless of their location.

Dizziness in TBI

WHAT WE DO

Customised Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular disorders are common sequelae of TBIs, affecting the inner ear and related brain structures responsible for balance control. Here are some specific vestibular disorders that we deal with in patients with TBIs
Meet Our Team

Our Vestibular Specialists

We offer comprehensive assessment and customised vestibular and balance rehabilitation for patients with vestibular issues such as vertigo, dizziness and unsteadiness
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Recent Articles and News

Stay informed about the latest updates and research in vestibular disorders and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with our "Resources" section. We aim to provide valuable updates to professionals and individuals alike, fostering a deeper understanding and facilitating better management of these complex conditions
Lack of vestibular-specific training and skills leads to poor care for patients with acute TBI
Title: Why are patients with acute traumatic brain injury not routinely assessed or treated for vestibular dysfunction in the UK? A qualitative study

Authors:  Rebecca M Smith, Caroline Burgess, Vassilios Tahtis, Jonathan Marsden,  Barry M Seemungal 
Source: BMJ Open 2023;13:e067967.

In a recent study, Smith and colleagues in 2023, interviewed 28 healthcare professionals (including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and surgical and trauma doctors) at two major UK trauma wards to identify barriers and facilitators that influenced their management of patients with vestibular dysfunction. The study found uncertainty around who was responsible for managing vestibular dysfunction, and variability in current methods of management.

Vestibular dysfunction is common in patients following acute traumatic brain injury (aTBI) with damaging consequences such as dizziness. Yet, in this study, doctors' perception of dizziness was that it was short lived, and generally gave it less importance than therapists. Notably, there was a perception among doctors that dizziness was a vague symptom without a specific treatment, or even that it was unfixable. 

All respondents had some relevant knowledge around vestibular dysfunction, but a widespread lack of practical skills was noted.This implied that patients are not routinely assessed and treated for it. Doctors cited limited training, similar to physiotherapists and occupational therapists who viewed their training around vestibular dysfunction as insufficient. They felt that its management did not fall within the scope of their role. Specifically, occupational therapists in this study expressed a concern that treatment of vestibular dysfunction would cross professional boundaries.

Secondary barriers for effective management of vestibular dysfunction following aTBI included time (especially in emergency settings), feasibility of diagnosis and treatment, motivation and confidence. Trauma therapists cited a lack of relevant role models as an issue, as well as a difficulty with diagnosis and treatment due to the patients' state such as their physical pain and cognition.

Despite the challenges mentioned by healthcare professionals in this study for the effective management of dizziness following aTBI, therapists acknowledged the serious implications of dizziness and prioritised the problem. Therapists showed the most desire to change in order to successfully treat vestibular dysfunction. Doctors also noted that therapists would be best placed for this responsibility. Suggested wider facilitators to improvement included changes to guidelines and better availability of information for practitioners and patients. Several role related facilitators were mentioned, including enhanced theoretical and practical training.

Key findings

  • Lack of vestibular specific knowledge and practical skills in healthcare professionals.
  • Need for enhanced practical training for the clinicians.


Vestibular issues are under recognised in acute TBI patients
Title: Vestibular dysfunction in acute traumatic brain injury

Authors: Marcus HJ, Paine H, Sargeant M, Wolstenholme S, Collins K, Marroney N, Arshad Q, Tsang K, Jones B, Smith R, Wilson MH, Rust HM, Seemungal BM. Vestibular dysfunction in acute traumatic brain injury

Source: J Neurol. 2019 Oct;266(10):2430-2433. 


Vestibular dysfunction is an incredibly common and long-lasting impact of Traumatic Brain Injury, with a large proportion of TBI victims facing vestibular problems several years post-injury. Vestibular dysfunction alone contributes heavily towards unemployment post-TBI, increasing it threefold. Hence, proper diagnosis and treatment of vestibular conditions resulting from TBI are important for the long term wellbeing of the patient, as well for a reduction of the socioeconomic impact of TBI.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to study the causes of post-TBI vestibular conditions, potentially because of adaptive brain mechanisms which occur in chronic TBI. These adaptive brain mechanisms may obscure the link between the vestibular symptoms and their signs. Thus, the study proposes that investigation of acute cases, where brain adaptation has not occurred, would be useful to conduct.

In the study, 111 Major Trauma Ward patients were screened for vestibular symptoms, and subsequently underwent neuro-otological assessment. Of the 111 patients, 96 were found to have vestibular dysfunction. 47 of this 96 were then assessed for the study. Multiple signs of vestibular dysfunction were found, the most common being gait ataxia, which 62% of the 47 presented with. Importantly, half of the 62% did not even perceive their problem, suggesting that vestibular symptoms may be a larger issue in TBI patients than currently recognised. Additionally, the study notes that injury of both central and peripheral systems can occur simultaneously, an occurrence that is relatively unique to acute TBI, which can theoretically delay recovery.

Overall, the study finds that vestibular dysfunction is highly common among TBI patients, but that the signs are under recognised. Additionally, it recognises that there is not enough evidence that routine assessment for vestibular problems at the acute stage is worthwhile to patient outcomes. Due to the lack of existing research and the negative impacts of post-TBI vestibular dysfunction, the study calls for more mechanistic, prospective studies into acute TBI.  

Key findings
  • Vestibular dysfunction is common in TBI patients but the vestibular signs are under recognised in acute care. 
Traumatic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) after Head Trauma (t-BPPV)
 Title: The Risk of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo After Head Trauma


Authors: Helene Andersson, MS ; Greg Eigner Jablonski, MD, PhD; Stein Helge Glad Nordahl, MD, PhD; Karl Nordfalk, MD, PhD; Eirik Helseth, MD, PhD; Camilla Martens, MD, PhD ; Kjetil Røysland PhD,  Frederik Kragerud Goplen, MD, PhD 

Source: Laryngoscope, 132:443448, 2022

A 2021 study into the onset of BPPV after head trauma aimed to investigate the pervasiveness of BPPV after varying severities of head trauma, and to create a risk-time curve for its onset. The study was conducted on 117 patients at Oslo University Hospital between August 2019 and March 2020. Around one-fifth of patients who had experienced minimal-to-moderate head trauma were found to have BPPV. Higher severity of injury was related to a higher risk of developing BPPV. The time immediately after the trauma showed the highest risk of onset. This risk subsequently decreased and stabilised. Most cases showed symptoms of BPPV within two weeks of the trauma. 

The study noted that there is not an internationally accepted standard criteria for traumatic BPPV (t-BPPV) at present. The cut-off time between trauma and development of symptoms used in literature varies anywhere from days to three months. 

Significant BPPV was found in cases with minimal head traumas, showing that even relatively minor injuries can result in BPPV. The risk of t-BPPV did not vary with age or gender. Additionally, the study found a different distribution of subtypes of BPPV compared to the reported distribution within cases of i-BPPV (there were more bilateral, lateral and anterior canal cases), highlighting the need to conduct the supine roll test on dizzy head injury patients. Due to the high prevalence of BPPV after head trauma, the study noted that BPPV should first be investigated before denoting symptoms to a concussion. 

To conclude, the study proposed that in head trauma cases where development of BPPV occurs within two weeks of the trauma, the trauma is the cause. Consequently, head trauma patients should be educated about the possibility of developing BPPV, and protocols should be developed specifically to diagnose and treat BPPV after minimal to moderate head trauma. 

Improving balance in community elders by volunteers within faith-based institutions: a feasibility study

Improving balance in community-dwelling elders using trained volunteers within faith-base institutions: a mixed methods feasibility study



Sheeba Rosewilliam, Colin J. Greaves, Arokkiyasamy Selvanayagam & Andrew A. Soundy


School of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Dizzy care clinic ltd, Wolverhampton, UK



This study explored whether trained volunteers in churches and other faith-based institutions could help improve balance in older adults living in the community. The researchers wanted to see if this approach was practical and effective.

The study involved a mix of different research methods, including surveys, interviews, and balance tests. Volunteers from churches were trained to lead balance exercises with older adults. The researchers then measured the progress of these participants to see if their balance improved over time.

The results showed that this approach was feasible—meaning it worked well in a real-world setting. The older adults who participated found the balance exercises helpful, and many experienced improvements in their ability to stay steady and avoid falls. The study also highlighted the benefits of using trusted community spaces like churches to support the health and well-being of older adults.

Overall, this research suggests that trained volunteers in faith-based institutions can play an important role in helping older adults maintain their balance and reduce the risk of falls, making it a promising approach for community health programs.