Balance Therapy

Balance therapy consists of complex and multifaceted methods applied to improve postural control, reduce the risk of falls, and develop alternative balance strategies to cope with vestibular weakness. The approach used for each patient must be entirely tailored to the individual.

It can yield very effective results, especially in older individuals and those experiencing balance issues. Reactive balance training (RBT) plays an important role in reducing the risk of falls and is scientifically supported in this regard. Water-based exercises offer a low-impact alternative, while land-based exercises, when combined, are beneficial in improving balance. Furthermore, dual-task balance training stands out as an effective method that not only enhances balance in older individuals but also improves walking speed. These methods have a wide range of applications in the field of balance therapy.

What is Balance Therapy and How Does It Work?

Balance therapy is a type of physical therapy specifically designed to target balance disorders and dizziness problems. This therapy helps to achieve balance by enabling the brain and body to process sensory information more effectively. It aims to improve balance and reduce symptoms of dizziness by harnessing the brain’s neuroplasticity:

• Visual stabilization exercises
• Habituation exercises
• Balance exercises
• Manual therapy techniques
• Education and lifestyle modifications

Balance therapy plays an effective role in managing conditions such as vestibular disorders, neurological diseases, and age-related balance problems. Through repetitive exercises, it supports the improvement of balance by training the central nervous system to rely more on visual and proprioceptive signals.

During implementation, customized exercise programs are created according to the individual’s needs. In individuals experiencing dizziness, regular exposure to triggering movements helps reduce symptoms. Additionally, environmental modifications and lifestyle changes are recommended to reduce the risk of falls.

Who Can Benefit from Balance Therapy?

Balance therapy can be adapted to the needs of various individuals and is an effective method for people with different health conditions or physical requirements:

• Older individuals
• Those with neurological disorders
• Individuals with vestibular disorders
• Those recovering from orthopedic injuries
• Athletes
• Children with developmental disorders
• Individuals with chronic diseases

In older individuals, balance therapy not only increases mobility but also reduces the risk of falls. This is very important because, given the extended lifespan, it is crucial for an individual to maintain self-sufficiency in later stages of life and to be protected from falls and secondary traumas associated with falls.

For individuals suffering from neurological disorders, this therapy improves postural control and functional mobility in daily activities. It is important to note that the chronic nature of neurological problems is a significant consideration. When these individuals lose their ability to be self-sufficient, it can lead to serious consequences such as social isolation and depression. Therefore, from this perspective, vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) applications provide very important opportunities for these individuals.

For individuals with vestibular disorders, customized programs are used to manage symptoms such as dizziness and imbalance. For example, there are different protocols for those with motion sickness and for those with Meniere’s disease. All of these protocols are organized based on the patient’s current vestibular function.

Individuals experiencing balance loss after orthopedic surgeries or injuries also benefit greatly from this therapy. Athletes can use balance training to enhance their agility and improve their performance. Targeted balance exercises for children with developmental disorders support their motor skills and contribute to their physical and social development. For individuals with chronic diseases, balance therapy helps improve mobility and safety, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

What Are the Basic Components of Balance Therapy?

Balance therapy includes various interventions aimed at increasing postural control, reducing the risk of falls, and ensuring safe movement in daily activities. These basic components are tailored to the individual’s physical and cognitive needs:

• Exercises that strengthen lower body muscles
• Static and dynamic balance exercises
• Movements aimed at visual stabilization
• Rehabilitation exercises that support the vestibular system
• Dual-task exercises that combine physical and cognitive tasks
• Virtual reality and biofeedback-based technologies
• Functional activities that improve balance in daily life

An individualized approach is adopted in balance therapy. For example, in older individuals, preserving muscle mass and integrating dual-task exercises may be prioritized. In individuals with vestibular problems, vestibular rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing dizziness can be implemented. Technology-supported interventions are used as an effective tool to improve balance, particularly in individuals who have suffered neurological damage.

In addition, it is important to conduct regular progress assessments in balance therapy. The difficulty level of the exercises should be adjusted according to the individual’s needs, and emphasis should be placed on practical applications in daily life. In this way, balance therapy can create lasting effects both in the rehabilitation process and in overall quality of life.

How Does Balance Therapy Address Vestibular Disorders?

Balance therapy includes various techniques and exercises to reduce dizziness and imbalance caused by vestibular disorders. Its primary goal is to enable the brain to adapt to the loss of vestibular function. It promotes the reorganization of neural pathways based on the principle of neuroplasticity.

Vestibular Disorders Treated:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction (vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis sequelae, Meniere’s, etc.)
• Bilateral Vestibular Loss (vestibular migraine sequelae, etc.)
• Vestibular Migraine
• Motion sickness
• MdDS
• VIMS…

Treatment Approaches:

• Habituation exercises
• Gaze stabilization exercises
• Balance exercises, etc.

Balance therapy is customized to the individual’s specific vestibular disorder needs and provides effective results through regular practice. The therapy targets the integration of vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system.

According to research, most patients who benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy report a significant reduction in their symptoms. The treatment process may vary depending on the individual’s age, the degree of the disorder, and adherence to therapy.

What Role Does Balance Therapy Play in Fall Prevention?

Balance therapy is a very important tool in reducing the risk of falls. It increases individuals’ postural control and stability, enabling safe movement and teaching strategies to prevent falls. Audiologists involved in vestibular rehabilitation select balance exercises tailored to the individual’s needs, targeting personal risk factors and aiming to prevent balance loss in daily activities.

Strengthening exercises:

• Exercises that work the lower body muscle groups
• Training with resistance bands
• Activities aimed at increasing muscle mass…

Balance training:

• Single-leg stance
• Using a balance board
• Static and dynamic balance exercises…

Functional task applications:

• Practices of bending to pick up objects
• Stair climbing exercises
• Activities that simulate daily life…

Sensory integration training:

• Vision-focused exercises
• Vestibular system-focused rehabilitation
• Techniques that enhance somatosensory balance…

Research shows that the regular application of these therapy methods significantly reduces fall rates in older individuals. In particular, reactive balance training enables individuals to respond more quickly to momentary postural disturbances. Additionally, programs tailored to personal needs increase an individual’s motivation and provide long-term success.

How Is Progress Measured in Balance Therapy Programs?

Various methods are used to evaluate progress in balance therapy programs. These methods allow for a subjective or objective analysis of an individual’s balance capacity, mobility, and fall risk.

• Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
• Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)
• Functional Reach Test (FRT)

Instrumented Measurements:

• Posturography
• Wearable sensors

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures:

• Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale
• Falls Efficacy Scale (FES)

Advanced Assessment Methods:

• Balance Intensity Scales (BIS)
• Machine learning methods

Balance assessment methods vary according to the individual’s needs and the degree of the balance disorder. Advanced technological methods allow for closer monitoring of an individual’s mobility in daily life. Additionally, patient-reported measures have shown that psychological factors play an important role in balance. In this process, a comprehensive approach is adopted to improve an individual’s balance both physically and mentally.

What Role Does Balance Therapy Play in Fall Prevention?

Balance therapy is a very important tool in reducing the risk of falls. By increasing an individual’s postural control and stability, it enables safe movement and teaches strategies to prevent falls. Audiologists specializing in vestibular rehabilitation select balance exercises tailored to the individual’s needs, targeting personal risk factors and aiming to prevent balance loss in daily activities.

Strengthening exercises:

• Exercises that work the lower body muscle groups
• Training with resistance bands
• Activities aimed at increasing muscle mass…

Balance training:

• Single-leg stance
• Using a balance board
• Static and dynamic balance exercises…

Functional task applications:

• Practices of bending to pick up objects
• Stair climbing exercises
• Activities that simulate daily life…

Sensory integration training:

• Vision-focused exercises
• Vestibular system-focused rehabilitation
• Techniques that enhance somatosensory balance…

Research shows that the regular application of these therapy methods significantly reduces fall rates in older individuals. In particular, reactive balance training enables i

Dr. Ody. Emel Uğur

Dr. Audiologist Emel Uğur was born in 1982 in Çanakkale. She worked for 15 years at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, specializing in Pediatric Audiology, Otologic Diseases, and Vestibular System Disorders. In 2015, she joined the Acıbadem Healthcare Group. She currently works as a Dr. Audiologist at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital and also serves as a faculty member and program director of the Audiometry Department at Acıbadem University Vocational School of Health Services.