From Symptom to Strategy
Falls are a major health concern for your aging patients, and identifying who is at risk is only the first step. Once someone is flagged as a fall risk, the next challenge is determining the underlying cause of their instability and choosing the right course of action.
The VAT ENGPlus System will give your primary care office a non-invasive, in-office method to evaluate vestibular function. With objective, reproducible results, you can determine whether vestibular dysfunction is involved and, if so, whether the issue is central or peripheral. This clarity will help you guide treatment decisions, referrals, and ongoing preventative care.
Understanding Vestibular Dysfunction and Fall Risk
Vestibular disorders are a common but often overlooked contributor to falls in older adults. Your patients may not describe their symptoms as “dizziness.” Instead, they might say they feel off balance, unsteady, or just “not right.” These vague complaints are easy to attribute to aging, medication, or stress. That’s why it’s important to have a reliable way to assess vestibular function directly.
The VAT ENGPlus System allows you to uncover vestibular dysfunction that may otherwise go unnoticed. It also helps you determine whether the cause is rooted in the inner ear or central nervous system, which is essential for choosing the correct follow-up plan.
How the VAT ENGPlus System Directs Clinical Decisions
The VAT ENGPlus System combines vestibular autorotation testing with ENG to evaluate how your patients’ eyes, brain, and inner ear work together to maintain balance.
Key insights include:
- VOR Gain and Phase, which measure how well eye movement compensates for head movement
- Smooth Pursuit and Saccades, which assess neurological control of visual tracking and rapid eye motion
These results can help you determine whether a patient may benefit from vestibular rehabilitation, needs a neurology referral, or can be supported through balance exercises and lifestyle adjustments.
When to Use VAT ENGPlus Data to Guide Next Steps
This system is particularly helpful when a patient presents with unsteadiness or motion sensitivity, yet routine vitals, labs, and imaging appear normal. It’s also a valuable tool when:
- A patient has been flagged as a fall risk during their Annual Wellness Visit
- Medications may be contributing to imbalance
- Symptoms are real and recurring, but no clear diagnosis has been made
In these situations, VAT ENGPlus testing helps you bridge the gap between patient complaints and confident clinical action.
Why Objective Testing Matters
Vestibular dysfunction is often missed without targeted testing. The VAT ENGPlus System makes it possible for your office to turn vague, subjective complaints into measurable results that support faster, clearer decisions. You can validate symptoms, determine the cause, and take action without relying on guesswork. For your patients, this approach provides clarity and direction instead of frustration. For your care team, it improves documentation, reduces unnecessary imaging, and enhances the efficiency of follow-up care.
The VAT ENGPlus System equips your primary care practice to move beyond basic fall risk identification. It helps you determine why a patient feels unsteady and what step to take next. By bringing vestibular testing into your routine care, you can offer more targeted treatment, reduce fall-related complications, and help your patients maintain independence with greater confidence.
