Improving Motor Function for Patients with Neurological Impairment

As therapists, we often wonder if there is more we can do for significantly impaired patients. The latest evidence in motor learning informs us how we empower and encourage patients can often have a significant impact on functional outcomes beyond the usual intervention strategies we employ in the clinic. Evidence has shown neuroplastic changes in the nervous system of those with central nervous system injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurodegenerative diseases) can occur with enhanced learning strategies.

This course will utilize the latest evidence to help you optimize patient outcomes with the application of motorlearning principles including reinforcement, autonomy support, and external focus of control. These principles will enable you to better engage your patients in therapy and enhance their ability to improve and master task performance by usingcontemporary evidence on psychological motivators as well as neurophysiologic drivers of learning. By the end of this course, participants will be able to improve outcomes for your patients with neurological impairment by improvingparticipation and motivation in therapy sessions, enhancing motor learning and skill mastery, and helping to ensurecarryover and long-term compliance long afterdischarge.

Highlights

• Enhance your patients' progress through proper assessment and treatment sessions for the stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and neurodegenerative disease patient.
• Latest evidence-based practice strategies that focus on empowering your patient to be motivated to participate in therapy sessions.
• Enhance both short- and long-term outcomes by enabling lasting changes in functional mobility skills from walking to transfer training and dynamic balance in activity.
• Ensure carryover and long-term compliance long after discharge.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists