Balance Matters: A neuro physical therapist’s journey to make “Sense” of Balance

Optokinetics (OPK) with Kenda Fuller

Erica Season 1 Episode 2

“I think of optokinetics like I would think of a hammer.  A hammer can both drive a nail and pull it out. Optokinetics can push the vestibular system or it can make it challenging to use for your balance.” -Kenda Fuller

Kenda Fuller Bio:
Kenda Fuller, PT, was a pioneer in the practice of vestibular and balance rehabilitation in the 1980’s, certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists as a neurological specialist in 1990. She is responsible for the neurologic content in Pathology: Implications for Physical Therapists, Elsevier. She contributed to Umphred’s Neurological Rehabilitation by writing chapters on Balance and Vestibular Disorders.

Education has been a strong focus of her career as affiliate faculty at both University of Colorado and Regis University. She has provided extensive continuing education on balance dysfunction throughout the US. Invitations to give international lectures were associated with NeuroCom International, Inc which gave her access to interact with medical practitioners throughout the world.  She was instrumental in the development of testing and treatment software for the Proprio 5000, used to identify balance impairments and determine functional limitations. She created the Vestibular and Balance exercise program for Physiotools (https://www.physiotools.com), an electronic exercise product used worldwide.

As co-owner of South Valley Physical Therapy from 2002 to 2020, her independent practice has been focused on the care of patients with complex neurologic and orthopedic conditions causing imbalance. She understands the need to identify the impairments that lead to imbalance and determine best interventions to enhance functional status.

References:
Use of optokinetics based OKCSIB protocol in restoring mobility in primary progressive MS. 

Use of optokinetic chart stimulation to restore mobility and reduce ataxia in a patient with pseudo-Cushing ataxia. 

Repetitive optokinetic stimulation induces lasting recovery from visual neglect 

Randomized controlled trial on hemifield eye patching and optokinetic stimulation in acute spatial neglect. 

Combined Optokinetic Treatment and Vestibular Rehabilitation to Reduce Visually Induced Dizziness in a Professional Ice Hockey Player After Concussion: A Clinical Case.

Study of Optokinetic Stimuli as Treatment for Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. 

The effect of repeated exposure to visual motion stimuli on visual dependence in normal healthy subjects 

The Use of Optokinetic Stimulation in Vestibular Rehabilitation

The Effect of Optokinetic Stimulation on Perceptual and Postural Symptoms in Visual Vestibular Mismatch Patients.