Course Description

Overview

We are all seeing more patients than ever before with invisible conditions, including chronic pain, functional movement/neurologic disorders (FMD/FND), persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS), and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). These conditions are related by the common thread of dysfunctional neuroplasticity, often exacerbated by fear and anxiety. How confident are you that you can recognize these conditions, tease out the biopsychosocial layers, and apply the current science to actually help people overcome their disorder?  

A key to success is understanding your patient as an individual and empowering them to “rewire” their system. This course is comprised of the latest in rehabilitation techniques focused on fostering patients’ self-efficacy, autonomy, and resilience to decrease the effects of these disabling but misunderstood invisible conditions. Dr. Studer pulls from the latest in psychology, behavioral economics, motor learning, and neuroplasticity, applying each of these evidence-based sciences with soft skills to help your patients achieve their full potential. Emphasis is placed on the application of these important techniques to promote engagement in meaningful recovery.  

This course is applicable to physical and occupational therapists in any setting! Chronic pain, functional neurologic disorders, persistent post-concussion syndrome, and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness are common in all realms of therapy. They are becoming increasingly recognized and understood, and you can join the ranks of practitioners that are well-equipped to help patients understand and overcome their condition! 

Course Content 

  • Understanding the patient experience 
  • Understanding patient behavior (behavioral economics) 
  • Promoting patient engagement in therapy 
  • The “invisibles” – the scope of the problem 
  • The pathophysiologies of PPPD, FMD/FND, PPCS, and chronic pain 
  • The connections between these (and other) disorders 
  • Practical applications for each of the invisibles and the commonalities across approaches 
  • Case studies  

Objectives

By the end of this course, attendees will:  

  1. Identify 3 barriers to behavioral change (adopting recommendations) that are commonly seen in healthcare settings. 
  2. Identify 3 applications for behavioral economics in the rehabilitation setting to promote patient engagement and positive behaviors. 
  3. Have sufficient working knowledge to define, identify, and examine: PPPD, FND, chronic pain, and PPCS. 
  4. Be able to describe applications of evidence-based interventions for: PPPD, FND, chronic pain, and PPCS.