Videos create visual learning tool for vestibular tests

The videos, each lasting a few minutes, are available on the website of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACPIVR).

‘They are instructional videos, but we also hope they are useful reference materials for our members,’ said David Herdman, a vestibular physiotherapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Trust, and former chair of ACPIVR who was involved in producing the videos.

‘They can be shared with colleagues who are less experienced in performing these tests and help raise awareness of how to do them correctly.’

The videos cover how to perform some of the most common vestibular and balance tests and gaze stability exercises.

ACPIVR’s committee initiated the project after recognising that a range of textbooks describe these tests in very different ways. There was a need for consistency.

Its members also thought video would offer a better learning experience than simply reading a description of these often complex tests.

A small, London-based company with experience of producing medical-related videos, Jokers Pack Productions, was engaged by ACPIVR. Funding came from ACPIVR too.

‘We filmed in the same location at Guy’s hospital that’s been used in the BBC drama Killing Eve and television hospital dramas,’ said Mr Herdman.

‘And we are really pleased that we were able to produce something to a high specification. We’ve had lots of interest from members and the videos have already been widely viewed.

‘If people have any suggestions for similar video productions in the future, we would be very interested to hear.’

Physiotherapists who are not ACPIVR members and want to access the videos can do so by signing up online and paying a £12 membership fee.