Advances in Clinical Vestibulology

Basic knowledge of vestibular assessment.

The teaching and learning methodologies will include: face-to-face lectures with demonstrations and hands-on replication of vestibular function and postural balance assessment techniques; case studies, solved in small groups, to enhance the integration of theoretical
knowledge; independent student work, including practical exercises and reflective assignments, guided by the instructor through distance-learning tools.

National or international experts of recognised scientific, technical, pedagogical, or professional merit may be invited to collaborate whenever their participation is considered necessary and demonstrably beneficial.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:
O1. Perform and interpret exams that assess vestibular function and postural balance.
O2. Correlate exam results with clinical signs and symptoms.
O3. Associate exam findings with possible vestibular syndromes.
O4. Assess vestibular function and postural balance across different age groups (pediatric to elderly populations).
O5. Acquire knowledge of new methods for assessing vestibular function.
O6. Gain insights into recent scientific studies related to vestibular function assessment.

1. Assessment of Vestibular Function:
   1.1. Videonystagmography in Clinical Practice – from execution to analysis and clinical interpretation
   1.1.1. Oculomotor function
   1.1.2. Nystagmus assessment (spontaneous, positional, and vibratory)
   1.1.3. Rotational test
   1.1.4. Caloric test
   1.2. Video Head Impulse Test – from execution to analysis and clinical interpretation
   1.3. Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) – from execution to analysis and clinical interpretation
   1.4. Dynamic Visual Acuity
   1.5. Subjective Visual Vertical
   2. Posturography
   3. Vestibular Assessment in Pediatric Populations
   4. Vestibular Assessment and Aging

National or international experts of recognised scientific, technical, pedagogical, or professional merit may be invited to collaborate whenever their participation is considered necessary and demonstrably beneficial.

The assessment process for the Course Unit is governed by the provisions of the Academic Regulations of the School of Health Technology and comprises two assessment methods: Continuous Assessment and Assessment by Examination, with students being responsible for selecting the assessment method they wish to undertake.

Continuous Assessment

Continuous Assessment comprises the following components:

- Theoretical-Practical Component (TP) - 50%: preparation of an individual written assignment, in the format of a review article, on one of the syllabus topics covered in the Course Unit;

- Practical-Laboratory Component (PL) - 50%: preparation of an individual written assignment focused on the theoretical and practical analysis of a clinical case proposed by the lecturer.

The final grade for Continuous Assessment is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the TP and PL components, according to the weightings indicated above.

Assessment by Examination

Assessment by Examination covers the content and competencies developed within the TP and PL components of the Course Unit and comprises:

- Theoretical-Practical Component (TP) - 50%;

- Practical-Laboratory Component (PL) - 50%.

The final grade for Assessment by Examination is calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two components, with the TP component accounting for 50% and the PL component accounting for 50%.

NAO