Full Course Description

2-Day: Stroke Rehab Certificate: How to Maximize Functional Recovery

After suffering a stroke, many emerge feeling trapped in a body that no longer works and fear the life they knew is gone. Furthermore, standard treatment strategies end with persistent long-term deficits and very basic gross motor skills at best. Your patient does not have to accept this fate and with the correct skillset, neither should you. Stroke rehabilitation does not have to be an either/or scenario – patients do not have to choose between walking or the ability to regain use of their arm!

While you may know techniques to facilitate movement in a flaccid UE and LE are similar:

Do you know how to improve each individually as movement emerges?
Are you able to easily identify methods to “force” movement and drive neuroplasticity in motor control and sensory recovery?
Can we re-create automatic movement (without thinking)?

Don’t miss this opportunity to get answers to these questions and leave with a groundbreaking evidence-based skillset to achieve life changing results for your patients!

You are working with a 68-year-old patient 2 weeks after a stroke who is demonstrating minimal wrist and finger extension + sensory impairment in their affected arm. Can you help this person achieve full use of their arm to dress, carry items while walking, open doors and turn on faucets? After this course – your response should be a resounding…”Yes!”

Unfulfilled rehabilitation potential is one of the greatest losses a stroke patient may face. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn the skills needed to completely redefine what is possible for quality of life after a stroke.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze objective assessment data to gauge prognosis, treatment timeline and progression.
Propose 3 techniques to successfully facilitate motion in the flaccid UE.
Propose 3 techniques to successfully facilitate motion in the flaccid LE.
Propose 3 applications of forced use therapy for UE sensory and motor recovery.
Propose 3 applications of forced use therapy for LE motor recovery.
Investigate evidence-based applications for post stroke gait training to achieve independent community ambulation.
Demonstrate how to use dual task interference to promote automaticity in recovery of mobility.
Demonstrate how to use dual task interference to promote automaticity in recovery of ADLs.
Demonstrate effective documentation to support the use of dual task interference and demonstrate progress in divided attention.
Discriminate spasticity vs tone, the functional implications, and the best evidence in management of each.
Identify multidisciplinary coordination opportunities for incorporation of dual task interference to achieve team goals and patient outcomes.
Identify objective interventions to rehabilitate impulse control with relevance for safety in mobility, MRADLs, ADLs, communication, and IADLs.
Differentiate the 4 main modalities of distractions in clinical and real-world dual task (DT) applications.
Analyze the three guiding principles of DT training.
Investigate the physiology of attention and DT in normal, rehabilitative, and impaired conditions.

Outline

Neurophysiology of Stroke: How the Principles of Neuroplasticity and Motor Learning Work Together

Mechanisms of neuroplasticity- why and how the brain reorganizes
Recovery of motor control vs. compensations
How the brain uses habituation, adaptation and compensations for functionality
Therapeutic applications for introducing constraints, incentives and avoidances in neuroplasticity
Understand the difference in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke – and how that impacts rehab.
When should rehab start? When can intensity start? When is someone “neurologically ready”?
How your interventions promote change

Improve Prognosis After a Stroke: Personalize Care by Presentation, Person & Performance

Debunk the myths of stroke: UE vs. LE; timing; and “where gains come from”
Balance the elements challenge, gamification, success and failure to maximize neuroplasticity for each patient
Apply autonomy as a catalyst for patient engagement
Prime reward centers for possible success – beliefs are more important than we ever realized
Shift to external, goal focused feedback to increase retention for motor skills
Spasticity vs tone: differences, precursors and the treatments for each
Goal action coupling – and how this can deepen patient engagement

Promote Return and Choice in the Affected UE: Improve Best Practices for Recovery

Time spent, time expectations and reptations are largely under-dosed for UE
Why you may want to focus on the hand first instead of the shoulder
Integrate tasks that force sensory information and motor contribution
Induce neuroplasticity with graded motor imagery: L/R discrimination and mirror therapy
Utilize bilateral challenges to increase mirror neuron benefit, intensity, gamification, accountability and functionality
Forced use applications for UE
Applications in overtraining: HIIT, error-enhanced learning and amplifying error
Add a dual task to increase intensity and attention

Promote Return of Function and Symmetry in the LE, Gait & Balance

Forced use applications for LE
HIIT and High intensity gait training
- What is HIIT, what isn’t, and why we use it...
Tools for assisted functional recovery: weight bearing tasks in function: transfers, ADL, standing
Defining improved gait... Independence, efficiency, quality, distance, speed?
Novel clinical applications: motivational and exercise attributes

Patient Engagement: Facilitate Compliance, Intensity and Attendance

Apply the principles of behavioral economics to movement: confirmation bias, nudge, gamification, familiarity bias, and loss aversion
Self-efficacy is malleable and may be the most powerful variable across all severities of stroke
Utilize the physiological tools of behavioral economics to apply nudge, gamification, and choice architecture
Understand the dynamic balance of autonomy in treatment
Fear: overcome with habituation, desensitization, reward cycle replacement, self-efficacy and wins.

The Future of Stroke Rehab: Progress in Technology and Science

Robotics
Virtual reality (VR) and Brain computer interfacing (BCI)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
HIIT, HIGT, task-specific circuit training, and early mobilization (acute care)
The resurgence of comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities (CORFs)

Cognitive Rehabilitation: Dual Task Tolerance, Function, Impulse Control, Affect & Awareness

Recognize the most common sequelae of cognitive, affective, and attentional impairments sustained in stroke
How to constrain attentional resources to improve tolerance, function, and awareness
4 simple ways to enhance awareness and maximize attention

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Speech and Language Pathologists
Strength and Conditioning Specialists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants
Physicians

Copyright : 11/06/2023

UE Mirror Therapy for Stroke Rehab: What’s Behind the Reflection?

Mirror therapy improves motor function for various neurological impairments. Learn everything needed to implement this evidence-based intervention into your practice today. With cost-effective and proven interventions, mirror therapy improves motor control, sensory awareness and ADL performance while reducing pain, visual-spatial neglect and spasticity. When integrating visual feedback provided by mirror therapy, you can stimulate neuroplasticity and accelerate recovery for stroke survivors.

Program Information

Objectives

Investigate scientific evidence supporting the use of mirror therapy to improve arm function in stroke survivors.
Demonstrate a mirror therapy protocol for clinical use.
Determine at least one benefit of using mirror therapy as it relates to client outcomes.

Outline

The Science of Mirror Therapy
- Brain Anatomy & Function
- Possible outcomes for practitioners, clients (client empowerment), profession
- Investigate studies about mirror therapy, effects on the brain & functional results
Mirror Therapy Protocol
- Screen for appropriateness (screening)
- Clinical Reasoning
- Baseline assessments (assessment)
- Intervention protocol (clinician & client empowerment)
- Overcoming Barriers (clinician & client)
Clinical Application Case Studies
- EXAMPLE: Home Health/Outpatient example to scaffold learning – presenter response to walk through clinical reasoning using mirror therapy
- Case Study: Subacute rehab setting
- Case Study: Private practice setting

Target Audience

Athletic Trainers
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 03/29/2023

Brain Lesions, Cognitive Changes & Behavioral Control

Patient loads and work expectations ever increase. Maximizing knowledge of neuroanatomy and dysfunction will assist in the selection of the most appropriate tests and programs to target challenges to patient progress. This session has been specifically designed to dive into site-specific changes within the brain that affect behavior and thinking skills. Being able to predict patient barriers to engagement and compliance also helps clinicians to train to each patient’s individual needs. Through a comprehensive discussion across disciplines, this course will highlight the essentials every clinician needs to confidently face their cognitively impaired client.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate the unique functions of each cerebral hemisphere as it applies to normal function and changes to cognitive processing after neuro insult.
Analyze the specific neurological sites for emotional regulation within the brain by typical vs. atypical function after damage/degeneration.
Assess how site-specific lesions in the temporoparietal junction effect visuospatial capacity and predict features of anosognosia.

Outline

Brain Pathophysiology & Lesion Sites

Gray vs white matter
Neuronal anatomy and physiology
Neural wiring systems & the brain’s internal communication

Lobes of the Cerebral and Cerebellar Hemispheres

Frontal lobes vs. temporal/parietal/occipital lobes - as cooperating cognitive centers
Cerebellum & brain stem functions – the effect on cognition and sensory awareness

Deep Dive: Exploring Hidden Realms of the Brain’s Internal Processing Units

Insular cortex and limbic processors for emotional regulation
Altered visuospatial processing and anosognosia: A clinician’s toughest challenge

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants
Physicians
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists
Social Workers
Nursing Home Administrators

Copyright : 10/26/2021

A Family Systems Approach to Disability and Chronic Illness

Professionals focus on the person identified as the patient, but disability and chronic illness (CID) affect the whole family. The family comes with its own ideas about illness, health and wellness. This training focuses on how to incorporate the family response to a CID in one or more of their members. Included is the language we use about CID, how to phrase questions, and how to use language to reflect the family’s model(s) of disability. Also included are management of cognitive issues within the family, and inclusion of family members (parents, partners, children, adults) in treatment planning and implementation. Included are four reasons assistive technology (AT) sent home with patients is never used and ways of introducing AT to families.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze how the family is involved with the ‘patient.’
Distinguish between pathologizing and affirming language for each model of disability.
Employ methods to increase likelihood of AT use.
Utilize a family treatment plan to improve client participation in activities, occupation and treatment.

Outline

Shifting from the individual to the family system

Models of disability (moral, medical, social) and their language; how to understand the patient’s model; using language from a model in talking with patients to reflect their perspective.

How models of disability affect views of AT; using positive language to introduce AT; anticipating problems with using AT; incorporating AT into the family system to increase probability of usage

Management of cognitive issues: practical suggestions; incorporating the family

Making a workable treatment plan

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants

Co-Morbidities in Stroke Rehab: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Pharmacological Management

As the ageing population continues to contribute to rising admissions in rehabilitation facilities, healthcare professionals must be well-equipped to handle the complexities of stroke and its common co-morbidities. This program addresses a crucial gap by tailoring the content specifically to the needs of healthcare workers in rehab settings. By offering a holistic approach to stroke rehabilitation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking cessation, and diabetes, we empower you to make a lasting impact on patient well-being and promote improved patient outcomes.

Roles and Goals in Rehabilitation Settings: Explore the unique roles of healthcare professionals, including PTs, OTs, nurses, and more, within rehabilitation facilities. Learn how to identify and align rehabilitation goals to enhance patient outcomes effectively.
Pathophysiology and Management of Stroke: Gain a deep understanding of stroke pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options. Acquire the skills to provide holistic care and evidence-based interventions for stroke patients.
Managing Co-Morbidities: Delve into the management of common co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in stroke rehabilitation settings. Learn about pharmacological management, treatment modalities, and specialized care for diabetic emergencies.
Smoking Cessation Strategies: Develop effective strategies for promoting smoking cessation among stroke patients. Master the art of accurate conversations and small interventions that can lead to significant positive impacts on patient health.

By equipping you with an integrated understanding of stroke, its co-morbidities, and evidence-based interventions, this training empowers you to be the catalyst for transformative recoveries, enabling you to provide elevated care and drive remarkable improvements in patient outcomes after stroke.

Program Information

Objectives

Summarize the divisions of the nervous system and explain the components of a neurological exam, demonstrating a clear understanding of the foundational concepts in neurology relevant to stroke and rehabilitation.
Define stroke, differentiate between the various types of strokes, and identify risk factors associated with stroke.
Discuss acute stroke care, outlining nursing interventions and highlighting the crucial steps involved in providing immediate care to stroke patients.
Critically identify and explain standard treatment guidelines for stroke within rehabilitation facilities.

Outline

Stroke Pathophysiology and Management

Definitions and pathophysiology of stroke
Types of strokes
Diagnosis of stroke
Treatment for stroke
- Pharmacological
- Rehabilitation objectives
Goals for stroke treatment
- Care of stroke in rehab settings

Hypertension

Pathophysiology review
Causes of hypertension and relationship with stroke
Treatment modalities
Pharmacological management of hypertension
Goals for hypertensive management in rehab settings

Hyperlipidemia

Pathophysiology review
Relationship of hyperlipidemia and stroke
Treatment modalities
Pharmacological management of hyperlipidemia
Goals for hyperlipidemia management in rehab settings

Smoking cessation

SBIRT
Strategies for smoking cessation

Diabetes Management

Pathophysiology review
Types of diabetes
Treatment modalities
Pharmacological management of diabetes
Diabetic emergencies in rehab settings
Goals for diabetes management in rehab settings

Resources for patients in rehab facilities

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Other Healthcare Professionals