Degenerative Diseases SIG
About Us
Welcome to the Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group (DDSIG). The DDSIG is comprised of physical therapists, physical therapist assisants, and students in physical therapy programs that have an interest in neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, and others. The DDSIG provides a forum to discuss advances in practice and the challenges of providing care for individuals with neurodegenerative disease. The DDSIG is a valuable networking tool to help researchers, educators, and clinicians in the area of neurodegenerative disorders connect, share ideas, and learn from leaders in the field.
Mission
The mission of the Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group (DDSIG) is to provide a community for professional networking and to disseminate information to rehabilitation health care providers to promote optimal recovery, health, wellness, function, and quality of life of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, which include but are not limited to Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Huntington's Disease. The DDSIG is committed to facilitating advances in physical therapy for patient management, education, research, and health care policy that reflect the needs of those we serve.Officers
CHAIR
Anne D. Kloos, PT, PhD, NCS
E-mail: kloos.4@osu.edu
VICE CHAIR & NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Donna Fry, PT
E-Mail: donnafry@umflint.edu
SECRETARY
Robbin Howard, PT, DPT, NCS
E-Mail: rhoward@usc.edu
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Catherine Curtis, PT, EdD
E-mail: catherine_curtis@nymc.edu
Evan T Cohen, PT, MA, NCS
E-Mail: ecohenpt@gmail.com
Daniel K. White, PT, NCS
E-Mail: dwtbn@bu.edu
Kirkwood Personius, PT, PhD
E-mail: kep7@buffalo.edu
News Items
The DDSIG is offering many exciting educational opportunities at the Combined Sections Meeting 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thursday, February 7th, 3:00-4:30 pm. Donna Fry, PT, PhD and Toni Chiara, PT, PhD will present a talk entitled "Respiratory Muscle Training in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis--An Evidenced-Based Approach" at the DDSIG meeting. This session will address the examination of respiratory muscle function and the development of pulmonary exercise programs for people with multiple sclerosis using protocols supported by research evidence.
Friday, February 8th, 1:00-3:30 pm. Ed Gappmaier, PT, PhD and Vanina Dal Bello-Haas, PT, PhD will speak about "Exercise Prescription and Tolerance in Individuals with Neurodegenerative Diseases." The purpose of this session is to examine exercise prescription and tolerance in patient populations with neurodegenerative diseases (primarily Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Amotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Huntington's Disease), using an evidenced-based approach to guide clinicians in developing appropriate treatment plans and evaluating outcomes.
Saturday, February 9th, 1:00-3:00 pm. Evan Cohen, PT, MA, NCS will facilitate a discussion on the topic of "Management of the Complex Patient with a Degenerative Neurologic Condition" at the DDSIG Round Table session. This discussion will focus on the decision making process during the physical therapy examination, evaluation, and management of the individual with a complex neurodegenerative disease.
Don't miss these opportunities to learn and to share your ideas with your colleagues!
Contact Us
Herbert Isaac Karpatkin, PT, MS, NCS
E-Mail: herbkarp@aol.com