Review Paper: Introduction of Pediatric Balance Therapy in Children with Vestibular Dysfunction: Review of Indications, Mechanisms, and Key Exercises

The vestibular system is important for the development of normal movement reactions, motion tolerance, and motor control for postural alignment, balance, and vision. A vestibular system that is damaged by disease or injury in childhood can have a major impact on a child’s development. In addition, the emergence of vestibular lesions may also lead to cognitive deficits, including attention deficit. Despite the advances in testing and documentation of vestibular deficits in children, the vestibular problems continue to be an overlooked entity. Many children do not receive treatment that could significantly improve function and address the developmental delays caused by vestibular disorders. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) has been defined as an effective modality for most individuals with disorders of the vestibular or central balance system disorders. The basis for the success of VRT is the use of existing neural mechanisms in the human brain for adaptation, plasticity, and compensation. The vestibular system cannot be considered as a separate entity ignoring other balance subsystems. Hence, a modified VRT program, named pediatric balance therapy with special modifications in exercises, was developed for children with vestibular disorders, in accordance to the whole balance system.