Rewiring the Dizzy Brain: Insights on Neuroplasticity, Dual Tasking, and Fear
In this Talk Dizzy to Me episode, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Dani Tolman, PT sit down with Dr. Mike Studer, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, CSRP, CBFP, FAPTA to unpack neuroplasticity—what it is, how it works, and how to apply it in vestibular rehabilitation. We cover dual tasking, prediction error, fear-avoidant vs. fear-adapted movement, motivational interviewing, and patient-directed dosage using the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning. Mike shares practical clinic and real-life examples (driving, grocery stores, cooking), mic-drop lines you’ll quote to patients, and how to talk to insurers using objective measures.
If busy visuals or movement bother you, consider listening on Apple Podcasts/Spotify.
-Neuroplasticity = learning. It’s not just more pathways; it’s stronger, faster, better-fed pathways that consolidate during sleep.
-Dose the meaningful. Intensity, repetitions, salience, and task specificity drive consolidation (“put a post-it on that memory”).
-Exposure works. Habituation/adaptation creates prediction error (“that wasn’t as bad as I expected”), reinforcing change via dopamine.
-Fear shows up in movement. Beyond fear-avoidant behavior, watch for fear-adapted movement (reduced head turns, co-contraction, slow/over-intentional strategies).
-Dual tasking is two goals, not ‘think-and-move’ toward one goal. Use cognitive+motor or visual+motor loads that are personally salient.
-Autonomy accelerates progress. Let patients choose dosage (keep, dial down, or push), using motivational interviewing and OPTIMAL theory.
-No expiration date. Neuroplastic change remains possible well beyond 1 year—set expectations and use objective measures to justify care.
Episode Resources:
Email: [email protected]
Website: mikestuder.com
Instagram: @MikeStuderDPT
Book: The Brain That Chooses Itself
For more FREE resources, click here.
Hosted by:
🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS
🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT
For episode recommendations or requests, email us at: [email protected]
Connect with Us:
→ Book a free call with us
→ Get free resources straight to your inbox
→ Watch podcast episodes (and more) on YouTube
→ Follow us on Instagram
→ Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review!
Time Stamps:
03:29 Neuroplasticity defined
05:21 Core principles: intensity, repetitions, salience, task specificity, sleep consolidatio
09:35 Zooming into vestibular reha
10:06 VR as proof of neuroplasticity; predictive processing
11:32 Habituation/adaptation as exposure-based therapy; links to pain & psycholog
13:32 Fear, expectations, and patient education
14:28 Therapeutic alliance: precision starts with the person
17:42 Treating fear: exposure-response prevention & prediction error (dopamine wins)
20:05 Dosage variables + motivational interviewing + OPTIMAL theory
21:27 Threat perception, amygdala, and “roadblocking” fear pathways
24:13 Fear-avoidant vs. fear-adapted movement (new concept in progress)
26:11 Cognitive load, exhaustion, and dual-task intolerance
29:32 Building alliance between sessions (check-ins)
30:00 What dual tasking is (and isn’t): two separate goals
31:32 Clinic examples: cognitive+motor; visual+motor with busy backgrounds
34:51 Real life: driving with kids, grocery stores, cooking; task switching vs. dual tasking
38:40 Overtraining in clinic to empower life outside
39:10 Progression: patient-controlled dosage (autonomy)
43:27 Neuroplasticity at any age; caveats for degenerative conditions
45:26 “Road crew at night” metaphor; why sleep matters
47:13 The “1-year” myth; talking to insurers with objective measures
49:27 Mic-drop lines
Weitere Episoden von „Talk Dizzy To Me“
Verpasse keine Episode von “Talk Dizzy To Me” und abonniere ihn in der kostenlosen GetPodcast App.
