Every 40 seconds someone in the United States experiences a stroke. Over 80% of the rapidly increasing population of stroke survivors exhibit impairments that significantly compromise independence and quality of life. For that reason it is imperative that therapy practitioners have a strong understanding of neuroplasticity and motor recovery as well as their impact on occupation and quality of life. The challenge of achieving upper extremity motor recovery in patients with neurological impairments may be solved by intertwining motor learning concepts into therapeutic intervention.  In order for practitioners to fully integrate the concepts of motor learning and neuroplasticity motor learning theory and what drives neuroplasticity must be better understood. This course focuses on educating therapists on neuroplasticity, what drives functional improvement and how practitioners can utilize motor learning theory and occupation-based interventions to improve functional outcomes.  Evidence supporting these interventions and how to effectively implement this evidence into practice will also be included in order to challenge therapists to examine current treatment practices.

Level of Instruction:  Intermediate

 

 

Course Objectives

  • Identify conditions under which neuroplasticity occurs
  • Identify basic motor learning theory and its link to neuroplasticity
  • Apply motor learning theory to develop appropriate occupation based interventions for stroke survivors
  • Identify the impact of meaningful occupation on neuroplasticity

Course Agenda

  • What is neuroplasticity?
  • What drives brain change?
  • How do we integrate this into practice?
  • Assessment Strategies
  • Intervention Strategies
  • Q/A Session
  • Adjourn

Faculty

  • Angela Reimer, MOT, OTR/L, CKTP

Angela Reimer, MOT, OTR/L, CBIST received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy, both from The University of Findlay (and, in a prior life, she was an Athletic Trainer, working mostly with small college football teams). She boasts over 16 years of clinical experiences with geriatric and neurologically impaired populations, including serving as a regional manager and educator for several rehabilitation organizations. Additionally Ms. Reimer is a member of the American Society for Neurorehabilitation, the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine,  the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association, and The American Occupational Therapy Association, and is a member of several regional and national practice committees such as the AOTA’s national credentialing committee. Ms. Reimer has presented courses across North America on kinesiology taping and stroke rehabilitation, including a “standing room only” executive function course for stroke practitioners at the AOTA conference, and has lectured extensively for PT and OT programs across the Midwestern United States.

 

Contact Hours: 1.5

Price: $49

 

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