Northwest Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.
Serving you with specialist care and a personal touch
COURSE OFFERINGS: 2016
I. TITLE: Somatosensory Reweighting: Forcing reorganization in the impaired or compensating nervous system
DESCRIPTION: This is an intermediate to advanced program that will enlighten attendees to frequently
unrecognized opportunities in balance retraining for patients with impaired balance. The focus will be
placed on rehabilitation of patients with sensory impairment: neuropathy, vestibulopathy, spinal cord lesion
(MS, SCI), and cortical lesions (stroke, MS, tumor). This program will additionally cover recent
technological advances that will allow us to better detect, classify, treat and analyze rehabilitative gains in
various forms of balance impairment. Direct clinical applications will include improved testing and
rehabilitation individuals with nonspecific visual dependence.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: 1) Reliably test and identify patients with abnormal
or pathologic visual dependence in balance. 2) Critically appraise balance measures for their ability to
determine sensory contributions to the examination.3) Identify and be ready to apply treatment options to
reduce abnormal sensory dependence in balance for multiple conditions.4) Translate the recovery of
somatosensory function into quality of life improvements for clients with neurologic impairment, as seen in
the ICF and quality of life indices.5) Identify new technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in
the arena of reweighting.
KEYWORDS: Sensory reweighting, Balance, Neuroplasticity.
Course/Session Format
Session Outline:
 Introduction to compensatory neural mechanisms in balance with various pathologies and
diseases.
 Testing AND training specific to sensory modalities involved in balance
 Case studies: (6) Geriatric imbalance, multiple sclerosis, SCI, neuropathy, stroke, vestibular.
Videotape demonstrations.

Future technological advancements relevant to somatosensory testing and training.

Questions
This course is intended for PT and OT. We will have a focus on balance, upper-extremity recovery, gait and
ADLs
___________________________________________________________________________________
II. TITLE: Parkinson’s Disease: One size DOES NOT fit all. Treatment strategies specific to subtype.
Participant Level: Intermediate to Advanced
DESCRIPTION: Physical Therapy treatment for Parkinson’s Disease is often oversimplified and defined as
by one or two global approaches. This course will further the discussion of the various subtypes of
Parkinson’s Disease and begin to ascribe treatment strategies specific to each. We will address the primary
symptoms in PD and suggest a classification paradigm for patients with primary tremor and rigidity; those
with primary dyskinesia; freezing of gait; posture; and festination. Clinicians in the audience will be invited
to use the paradigm to further the discussion of subtyping PD and researching within these categories. We
will provide videotape and case study application across 4 different classifications of Parkinson’s Disease
and reveal applicable treatment strategies within each.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
1) Identify relevant physiologic changes that occur in PD and the evidence on objective testing of each
impairment
2) Apply recent evidence in clinical interventions to each of the classifications or presentations of PD.
3) Identify the best clinical measures for each of the functional limitations and subtypes of PD.
4) Stimulate research furthering the classification of PD subtypes, and treatment approaches therein.
KEYWORDS: dual task, attention, cognition, balance.
Course/Session Format
Session Outline:
Introduction, outline, objectives, disclaimers
Pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease and the variant subtypes.
Current evidence for treatment within each impairment and functional limitation
Translating the evidence with practical intervention strategies across the subtypes
Case studies
Questions
This course is intended for PT and OT alike.
III. TITLE: Parkinson’s Disease and the Parkinsonisms: Differentiating the diagnoses, prognoses,
and treatments
Participant Level: Intermediate to Advanced
DESCRIPTION: Parkinson’s Disease is NOT the same as Parkinsonism. From the cellular mechanism or
pathophysiology – to the presentation, prognosis, and treatment. This course will clarify the clinical
subtypes of Parkinsonisms – from vascular to inherited and inclusive of the three Multiple Systems
Atrophies – expect a comprehensive coverage. How to treat, when to treat (timing) and what to expect are
questions that will be answered in this course – based on today’s evidence. We will review the phenotypes
of Parkinson’s Disease and clarify the suggest a classification paradigm for patients with primary tremor
and rigidity; those with primary dyskinesia; freezing of gait; posture; and festination. We will provide
videotape and case study application across 4 different classifications of Parkinson’s Disease and reveal
applicable treatment strategies within each.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
1) Identify relevant physiologic differences between Parkinsonisms and PD
2) Apply recent evidence in clinical interventions to each of the classifications or presentations of PD and
Parkinsonisms.
3) Identify the best clinical measures for each of the functional limitations and subtypes of PD and
Parkinsonisms.
4) Create proper expectations of outcomes and patient education based on diagnosis and presentation.
KEYWORDS: dual task, attention, cognition, balance.
Course/Session Format
Session Outline:
Introduction, outline, objectives, disclaimers
Pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease and the variant Parkinsonism subtypes.
Current evidence for treatment within each impairment and functional limitation
Translating the evidence with practical intervention strategies across the subtypes
Case studies
Questions
This course is intended for PT and OT alike.
IV. TITLE: Chronic Stroke Rehabilitation: A novel and practical clinical application to induce functional
improvement
Participant Level: Intermediate
DESCRIPTION: This course will reveal a novel and intense clinical approach built specifically for persons
that are 6 months or more in recovery post cerebrovascular accident (CVA).This approach includes
Interventions that are designed and built directly from evidence and are adapted with consideration for the
unique attributes of changes in the body and brain months and years after CVA. Additionally, this
application will reveal incorporation of recent advances in motivation, motor learning, and practice displaying all through videotape case study demonstration. Attendees will be engaged in a thoughtprovoking presentation that challenges previous misconceptions about the timeline of recovery and
potential for improvement years after CVA. This presentation builds on recent controversies of body weight
supported treadmill training (LEAPS) and recent advancements in circuit training (Canadian Stroke
Protocol), providing the learner from all practice points with tools to rehabilitate clients regardless of
equipment and technological availability.
OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: 1) Identify physiologic changes that
occur in many individuals months and years post CVA.
2) Apply recent evidence in motor learning and motivation to maximize the recovery for clients in chronic
stroke rehabilitation
3) Apply recent evidence in practice structure and feedback to maximize the recovery for clients in chronic
stroke rehabilitation
4) Debunk rehabilitation myths about recovery dependence on timing and technology in effective
rehabilitative outcomes in chronic stroke
KEYWORDS: stroke, neuroplasticity, motivation.
Course/Session Format
Session Outline: Introduction to the physiologic and morphologic changes in chronic stroke recovery,
Evidence in chronic stroke rehabilitation to date: successes, limitations and opportunities ,
Novel clinical application in chronic post stroke recovery: motivational and exercise attributes,
Novel clinical application in chronic post stroke recovery: practice structure and feedback attributes,
Case studies in chronic stroke recovery. Videotape application for use all points in the continuum of care ,
Questions and summary
V. TITLE: To speed or not to speed: clinical and evidence based application for locomotor training in
individuals with CVA. Subtitle: Avoid the speed trap: Gait training post-stroke is more than just faster is
better.
DESCRIPTION: Individuals with history of CVA are at risk for a variety of impairments and functional
limitations which can have a profound impact om their participation and quality of life, as well as increase
their risk of falls. Gait speed and safety are frequently the focus of rehabilitative efforts after stroke, yet the
tradeoff and line between the two is often blurred with the use of treadmill speed to accomplish both. While
body-weight support treadmill training has been extensively researched and is very commonly applied, it
may not always be in the best interest of the individual to use this supportive environment as a platform for
more and more treadmill speed. This course will include a thorough review of the literature regarding
locomotor training post-stroke, with a dynamic discussion on the best application for a variety of different
focuses with gait training. Different emphases include, but are not limited to: gait speed, balance training,
endurance training, dual task tolerance, and novel applications to address kinematic limitations, forcing skill
through neuroplasticity. Discussion will include clinical considerations for appropriate application of the
correct emphasis. Video case studies will be presented to facilitate discussion and enhance clinical
applications for attendees.
OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: 1) Identify physiologic changes that
occur in many individuals months and years post CVA.
2) Review recent evidence in motor learning and locomotor training to maximize the recovery for individuals
in stroke rehabilitation
3) Apply recent evidence and expert clinical decision making skills in incorporating the most appropriate
emphasis in gait training, including: gait speed, balance training, endurance training, dual task tolerance,
and novel applications to address kinematic limitations
4) Debunk rehabilitation myths about recovery dependence on timing and technology in effective
rehabilitative outcomes in chronic stroke
KEYWORDS: stroke, neuroplasticity, motivation.
Course/Session Format
Session Outline:
Introduction to the physiologic and morphologic changes in chronic stroke recovery
Evidence in stroke rehabilitation to date: successes, limitations and opportunities
Determining the correct emphasis – using the evidence and expert clinical thinking to determine the best
focus of our interventions
Novel clinical application in post stroke recovery: practice structure and feedback attributes,
Case studies - videotape application for use all points in the continuum of care
Questions and summary
VI. Course title: Neurologic and Geriatric Rehabilitation: Maximizing outcomes in those with
impairment in cognition and motivation
Course description:
This presentation will include practical clinical applications for the physical and occupational therapist to
best rehabilitate patients with cognitive impairment from stroke, brain injury and other neurological
impairment.
Participants completing this course will be ready to recognize the common cognitive impairments,
individualize their care (exam and treatment), and set appropriate goals. We will reveal how to
systematically evaluate and prescribe an individualized program for each of the cognitive impairments
addressed: awareness, attention, memory and perceptual impairment (including neglect). Additionally, this
course will reveal some of the latest developments in motivational and other psychological considerations
for therapists.
Objectives:
Through attendance of this course, participants will:
1) Be aware of recent evidence-based advances in cognitive rehabilitation, recovery of self efficacy,
motivation, and the psychological variables in rehabilitation
2) Recognize clinical applications, functionally-relevant documentation, and measurement
applications in awareness, attention, dual-task, and problem solving.
3) Describe available resources in psychology and executive function for clinical use in rehabilitation.
4) Describe modalities for and interventions designed for optimal motivation, autonomy, competence,
and self efficacy.
Timeline:
Introduction, outline, goals
Defining cognitive impairments, motivation, depression and associated concepts as related to rehabilitation
Promoting recovery of cognition through neuroplasticity and recovery: Awareness, Attention, and Problemsolving.
Recent advances in research and evidence based practice: the psychology of rehabilitation
Interventions in motivation
Interventions in cognition: attention, awareness
Interventions in self efficacy, autonomy and motor control
Incorporating research and technological advances: cognition, self efficacy, and depression.
Case studies and applications by video
Summary and discussion, questions
Mike Studer, PT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST
Phone: (503) 371-0779
Fax: (503) 371-0886
3220 and 3270 Liberty Rd S Salem, OR 97302
www.northwestrehab.com