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Evaluating Pre-Treatment Vestibular Physical Therapy Rehab for Patients with Vestibular Schwannomas (VS PREHAB)
In-Person Study
Purpose
The investigators aim to estimate mean baseline and post-treatment balance scores among Vestibular Schwannomas (VS) patients undergoing pretreatment rehab (PREHAB) or no PREHAB when managed with either surgery or radiosurgery.
Study Overview
A PREHAB visit will be done once weekly for three weeks to determine exercise regimen prior to surgery or radiotherapy. Therapy includes balance exercises (twice daily), gaze stabilization exercises (12-20 minutes daily), and habituation exercises (as applicable). Standard surgical approaches including retrosigmoid, translabyrinthine, and middle fossa and radiosurgical (SRS) delivery will be determined based on current VS management guidelines and followed by study randomization to PREHAB.
Eligibility Criteria
- Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
- Male or female participants ≥18 years of age.
- Initial diagnosis of a Vestibular Schwannoma confirmed by a physician with an internal auditory canal (IAC) MRI, in accordance with standard or institutional practice
- VS patients who present with a tumor size ≤2.5 cm and will be treated with surgery or SRS
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status <2
- Within 14 days of study registration, participants must have normal laboratory values that support safe treatment, at the discretion of the treating investigator
- Be willing to adhere to outlined study protocol criteria and complete self-reported questionnaires (translations may be made available if the patient' primary language is not English).
- For females of reproductive potential: must have a negative urine or serum pregnancy test 7 prior to enrollment and agreement to use of highly effective contraception method during study participation and for an additional 24 weeks after the completion of stereotactic radiosurgery.
Location:
Froedtert Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI, USA
Contact:
Michael Harris, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Email: msharris@mcw.edu
For more information:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05702749?term=vestibular%20prehab&rank=1#study-overview
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Experiences of Individuals Diagnosed with Vestibular Schwannoma During or Around Pregnancy
Online Survey
Purpose: We are conducting an online research study exploring the experiences of individuals diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma during or around pregnancy.
Your insights are incredibly valuable and will help improve care and counseling for future patients facing similar challenges.
The survey includes questions about medical history, pregnancy experience, and diagnosis/treatment of vestibular schwannoma. Relevant documents such as MRI reports, audiograms, or clinical notes may also be uploaded (this is optional but helpful for clinical context).
To participate, simply scan the QR code below or click this link: https://redcap.link/ogedssz1
Your responses will be securely stored and used only for research purposes. The survey should take approximately 15–20 minutes, and all participation is entirely voluntary.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for considering being part of this important work.
Principal Investigators
Erin A. Harvey, MD
Medical University of South Carolina
Stephanie Cheok, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
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- Details
ANA Patient Education Event
Hosted by
Saturday, September 20, 2025
8 am - 4 pm CT
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Conference Room L, 3rd Floor
Prentice Women’s Hospital
250 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Registration opening soon!
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Scheduled Topics Include: |
Co-chairs
James P. Chandler, MD - James P. Chandler, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Richard Wiet, MD - Richard M. Wiet, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Faculty Participants
Neurological Surgery
Stephen Magill, MD, PhD - Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD | Northwestern Medicine
Osaama Khan, MD - Osaama H. Khan, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Radiation Oncology
Vinai Gondi, MD - Vinai Gondi, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Sean Sachdev, MD - Sean Sachdev, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Neurotology / ENT
Kevin Zhan, MD - Kevin Yizhe Zhan, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Neurology
Nicholas Hac, MD - Nicholas Eugene Fox Hac, MD | Northwestern Medicine
Physical Therapy
Jackie Diels, OT - Jackie Diels, OT :: Facial Retraining
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Update My Information
The ANA is dedicated to empowering patients to take an active role in their care by creating impactful programs, funding research, and collaborating with top medical centers and leading healthcare providers - supporting you along every step of your AN journey.
Our commitment includes a robust lineup of support group meetings, webinars, and educational events, plus our quarterly NOTES newsletter, featuring insights on treatment options, regrowth, hearing and balance issues, managing headaches, and navigating the “Watch and Wait” approach.
Please take a moment to ensure we have your most up-to-date information, so you’ll have access to these critical resources.
