Neurology Section Developed Courses

The Neurology Section is offering six different continuing education courses in 2013:

• Neurologic Practice Essentials: A Measurement Toolbox
• Expanding Neurologic Expertise: Advanced Practice in Vestibular Physical Therapy
• Neurologic Practice Essentials: Clinical Application of the Principles of Neuroplasticity to Maximize Patient Outcomes
• Neurologic Practice Essentials: Clinical Decision Making as a Foundation for Expert Practice
• Expanding Neurologic Expertise: ABC's of Vestibular Rehabilitation
• Expanding Neurologic Expertise: Advancing Clinical Practice in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation

Neurologic Practice Essentials: Clinical Decision Making as Foundation for Expert Practice

Course Content Coordinator:  Kathleen M Gill-Body, PT, PhD, NCS

Course Developers:  Lee Dibble, PT, PhD, ATC; Nancy Fell, PT, PhD, NCS; Kathleen M. Gill-Body, PT, DPT, MS, NCS; Lois Hedman, PT, MS; Julie Hershberg, PT, DPT, NCS; Karen McCulloch, PT, PhD, NCS; Shari McDowell, PT; Andy Packel, PT, NCS; Kristin Parlman, PT, DPT, NCS; Patricia L Scheets, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS; Mike Studer, PT, MHS, NCS; Candy Tefertiller, DPT, ATP, NCS; Cindy Zablotny PT, DPT, MS, NCS

Course Description:   Novices develop clinical competence and evolve into expert practitioners by making decisions that involved the complementary processes of systematic analysis and intuition.  This 2-day course was developed with the overall objective of strengthening skills for all therapists seeking to advance their neurologic physical therapist practice.  Participants will utilize current frameworks for clinical decision making to assist them in analyzing neurologic patient cases in the areas of balance and falls, brain injury, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, and vestibular dysfunction.  Participants will apply current evidence and clinical guidelines in making patient management decisions particularly in the areas of evaluation, prognosis, and intervention.  Given both the breadth and the depth of the course, participation may assist the physical therapist interested in sitting for the Neurologic Clinical Specialist exam. 

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Complete a self-evaluation of preparedness for advanced neurologic physical therapist practice and describe strategies for individual professional growth;
• Systematically apply clinical decision-making frameworks to neurologic physical therapist practice including examination, screening for referral, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention (including treatment progression);
• Develop focused clinical questions for seeking evidence to support clinical decisions;
• Accurately apply current evidence and clinical practice guidelines, in combination with patient values, to optimize prognostic and intervention decisions in a variety of neurologic patient populations; and
• Discuss “take-home messages” for elevating practice that can be implemented in the clinical environment. 

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical Therapists

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Expanding Neurologic Expertise: Advanced Practice in Vestibular Physical Therapy

Course Content Coordinator:  Susan L Whitney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, FAPTA

Course Developers: Janet Callahan PT, MS, NCS; Rene’ D Crumley, PT, DPT, NCS; Cheryl Ford-Smith, PT, DPT, MS, NCS; Michael Furtado, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS; Colin R Grove, PT, MS, NCS; Janet O Helminski, PT, PhD; Janene M Holmberg, DPT, NCS; Kristen M Johnson, PT, MS, NCS; Karen H Lambert MPT, NCS; Laura O Morris, PT, NCS; Anne Mucha, PT, MS, NCS; Michael C Schubert, PT, PhD; Susan L. Whitney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, ATC, FAPTA

Course Description:   Developed by a team of clinicians with expertise in vestibular rehabilitation, this course is designed to expand knowledge of complex vestibular pathologies, improve clinical reasoning in differential diagnosis and present innovative intervention strategies. To facilitate learning, the course uses interactive case based presentations and video eye movement analyses on complex vestibular diagnoses including migraine, anxiety, atypical BPPV, central vestibular dysfunction, and concussion. Specific attention to recent advances in examination and intervention strategies are presented.

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will:

• Perform history taking/interpretation skills in persons with a wide variety of vestibular disorders.
• Describe vestibular diagnostic and functional testing
• Recommend testing when appropriate and utilize information for clinical management.
• List positive and negative effects of pharmacological interventions and integrate them into evaluation and treatment.
• Describe accurate differential diagnosis, integrating the use of eye motion analysis, tests of postural control, positional tests, and key aspects of the patient’s history.
• Utilize tests and measures for managing those with vestibular disorders.
• Describe available literature to enhance vestibular physical therapy practice.
• Identify psychogenic factors in the dizzy patient and modify clinical management accordingly.
• Apply advanced clinical skills and knowledge to more effectively treat migraine related dizziness, anxiety, complex and difficult forms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, peripheral and central vestibular disorders, and concussion.
• Describe new technological advances in vestibular testing and intervention.

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists

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Neurologic Practice Essentials: A Measurement Toolbox

    Course Content Coordinator:  Jane Sullivan, PT, MS, DHS

Course Developers:  Bill Andrews, PT, MS, EdD, NCS; Richard Bohannon, DPT, EdD, NCS, FAPTA, FAHA; George D Fulk, PT, PhD; Desiree Lanzino, PT, PhD; Aimee E Perron, PT, DPT, NCS; Kirsten Potter, PT, DPT, MS, NCS; Peggy Roller, PT, MS, DPT; Yasser Salem, PT, PhD, NCS, PCS; Teresa M Steffen, PT, PhD; Jane Sullivan, PT, MS, DHS

Course Description:  Just as the master carpenter must use precision measurement in design and construction, so must the physical therapist be equipped to craft intervention guided by precise, meaningful measurement.  Assembling an evidence-based toolbox for this purpose can be a daunting task, but remains essential for master neurologic physical therapy practice and optimal outcome measurement.  This 2-day course, using the ICF model, will discuss essential adult neurologic measurement tools applied across practice settings.  Based on available evidence, emphasis will be placed on the participants' ability to identify the best tool(s) for specific patient groups, measurement interpretation, and tool adaptation for non-standardized situations. 

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the practical relevance for incorporating the International Classification for Function and Disability (ICF) model into clinical practice; 
• Effectively use published reliability and validity data to identify appropriate objective measures, across the ICF model, for specific patient populations including: stroke,  spinal cord injury, brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, vestibular dysfunction, and balance and fall prevention management;
• Differentiate appropriate measurement tools for various practice settings (acute hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic);
• Independently and accurately apply neurologic screening, examination, and measurement, including making reasonable adaptation for non-standardized situations, to select patient cases; and
• Interpret test results and discuss management implications.

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists and Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants

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Neurologic Practice Essentials: Clinical Application of the Principles of Neuroplasticity to Maximize Patient Outcomes

Course Content Coordinators:  Marghuretta Bland, PT, DPT, NCS, MSCI ; George Hornby, PT, PhD;  Jennifer Moore, PT, DHS, 

NCS

Course Developers: Deborah Backus, PT, PhD; Marghuretta Bland, PT, DPT, NCS, MSCI; Lara Boyd, PT, PhD; Nancy Byl, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Beth Fisher, PT, PhD; George Hornby, PT, PhD; Robbin Howard, PT, DPT, NCS; Teresa Jacobson Kimbereley, PT, PhD; Deborah Sue Larsen, PT; James Lynskey, PT, PhD; Jennifer Moore, PT, DHS, NCS; Mike T. Studer, PT, NCS, CEEAA        

Course Description: As research in neuroscience and neurorehabilitation evolves, clinicians are challenged to understand the latest advancements and how to apply them to clinical practice.  This 2-day course will facilitate a clinical understanding of the principles of neuroplasticity and their application to the assessment and treatment of patients with neurological impairments secondary to trauma and neurodegenerative disorders.  Strategies to implement interventions characterized by these principles will be discussed through presentations, patient case studies and small group discussions.  Clinicians will be asked to complete one assigned reading and prepare a case for small group discussions about how neuroplasticity research is relevant to and feasible in their clinical practice.

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Critically examine current concepts in neuroplasticity and discuss their clinical relevance related to individuals with  neurological impairments secondary to trauma and neurodegenerative disorders;
• Structure and modify clinical interventions to maximize their patients’ potential for neuroplasticity across the continuum of care;
• Identify and characterize variables that can influence neuroplasticity and rehabilitation management;
• Identify clinical barriers to the delivery of evidence based practice and suggest potential solutions;
• Discuss the application of assessments and interventions that have potential to facilitate neuroplasticity and maximize patient outcomes through clinical cases

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists; Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants

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Expanding Neurologic Expertise:  ABC's of Vestibular Rehabilitation

Course Content Coordinator:  Janet Callahan PT, MS, NCS; Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT, NCS

Course Developers: Susan L Whitney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, FAPTA, Elizabeth Grace Georgelos, PT, MS, NCS ;  Brady Whetten, PT, DPT, GCS ; Carrie Hoppes, PT , DPT, OCS; Connie Weglarz, PT, DPT, NCS; Eric Anson, PT, MPT;  Janet Callahan PT, MS, NCS;  Jennifer Nash, PT, DPT, NCS; Kristin DeMars, PT, DPT, NCS;  Lisa Brown, PT, DPT, NCS;  Melissa Bloom, PT, DPT, NCS;  Paula Goga  Eppenstein, PT, MS;  Rebecca English, PT, MSR, DPT;  Sara Oxborough, MPT;  Tara Denham, PT, MS

Course Description: Vestibular Rehabilitation has become an integral part of physical therapy practice across the continuum of care. However, many physical therapists have not had the opportunity to engage in this area of specialty practice. This course is a comprehensive offering designed to meet the needs of individuals wishing to enhance their understanding of vestibular rehabilitation in order to effectively manage a range of patients with vestibular disorders and to identify individuals requiring referral for specialty support. The course will include an in-depth review of the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular and oculomotor systems with application to the differential diagnosis of disorders of the vestibular system including BPPV, unilateral and bilateral vestibular disorders, central vestibular disorders and dizziness of a non-vestibular origin. Additionally, the evaluation and management of postural control deficits associated with vestibular dysfunction will be addressed. Laboratory sessions will be utilized to enhance the development of psychomotor skills in evaluation and management techniques associated with vestibular rehabilitation.

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will:

• Apply knowledge of vestibular/oculomotor anatomy and physiology to the differential diagnosis of vestibular disorders.
• Utilize information obtained from a patient history to develop one or more working hypotheses for vestibular dysfunction.
• Identify/Perform tests and measures used in the examination of a patient with vestibular pathology including examination of the vestibular and oculomotor systems and positional provocation tests.
• Establish an appropriate plan of care and prognosticate outcomes for individuals with vestibular dysfunction.
• Interpret examination findings associated with patient cases.
•  Recognize examination findings that are not consistent with disorders of the vestibular system and warrant physician/specialist/medical referral.

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists

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Expanding Neurologic Expertise: Advancing Clinical Practice in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation

Course Developers: Heather Dillon Anderson, PT, DPT, NCS; Anna Lisa de Joya, PT, DSc, NCS; Megan Eikenberry, PT, DPT, NCS; Karen McCain, PT, DPT, NCS; Diane Nichols, PT, NCS; Brian Olkowski, PT, DPT; Kamille Andino Sprenkle, PT , DPT, CCI; Irene Ward, PT, DPT, NCS; Maureen Whitford, PT, PhD, MS, MHS, NCS; Rei Yoshida, PT, DPT

Course Description:   With the recent developments in the medical management of patients post-stroke and advances in neuroscience research, physical therapists working with patients in the acute phase of stroke rehabilitation must understand and manage them using a broader and deeper evidence-based approach.

The focus of this 2-day course is to present evidence from which physical therapists can develop a clinical framework to effectively manage patients in the acute phase of stroke recovery.  The current heath care climate within the acute care and acute inpatient rehabilitation settings will be reviewed and discussed.  Topics will include the role of the physical therapist, pathophysiology of stroke, principles of medical and surgical management, tenets of neuroplasticity and motor learning, and outcomes measurement as they apply to best physical therapy practice. In addition, treatment approaches related to impairments and activity limitations post-stroke will be addressed.   The course format will include lecture-based presentation and active dialogue through the use of case studies and group discussions.

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, participants will:

• Understand the current health care climate within the acute care and acute inpatient rehabilitation settings as it relates to access and delivery of physical therapy services.
• Describe the role of the physical therapist in the management of patients with acute stroke in the intensive care unit, specialized stroke unit, and acute inpatient rehabilitation.
• Describe the pathophysiologic changes in the brain based on the type of stroke and lesion location, as well as the correlating clinical presentation. 
• Understand the principles of the medical and surgical management of patients with acute stroke.
• Critically appraise and integrate the current evidence on best physical therapy practice based on principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning.
• Analyze and apply recommended standardized outcome measures in acute stroke rehabilitation.
• Develop and apply a clinical decision making framework implementing the domains of the ICF model based on presented information.

Who Can Take This Course: Licensed Physical and Occupational Therapists; Licensed Physical Therapy Assistants and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants

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