Course Outline

Multiple sclerosis can affect any area of the central nervous system resulting in a multitude of symptoms. This two-day course provides the therapist with a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and management of these symptoms. The course begins with an overview of the disease and the evaluation of symptoms. Hands on evaluations and video case studies of patients reinforce the course lecture. Evaluations address assessment of hypertonicity, heat sensitivity, ataxia, weakness, fatigue and the impact of these symptoms on mobility. Small group discussions of these evaluations lead into the development of a simple, yet comprehensive evaluation form that can be applied immediately in your clinic. Lecture and discussion provide treatment strategies and exercise protocols based on the latest research and incorporates the use of adaptive equipment, orthotics and cooling equipment to enhance treatment outcomes for the chronic and acute patient. The course material is based on a philosophy of educating the patient about their symptoms, which allows the patient to gain more control over their symptom management, resulting in an overall improved quality of life. Patient education materials for symptom management, as well as a list of resource material will be provided to each course participant. Upon completion of this course the therapist will be able to evaluate the chronic or acute patient with M.S. using a customized evaluation form, develop a prioritized symptom management and exercise plan, and provide education materials for symptom management to the patient or caregiver.

Course Objectives

• Understand the disease process of multiple sclerosis and the resulting symptoms.
• Recognize the common medications used in the management of multiple sclerosis and understand their side effects.
• Evaluate the patient with either chronic or acute symptoms using an evaluation form specific to the needs of your clinic.
• Assess hypertonicity and how it may interfere with function.
• Prioritize symptoms for treatment as well as referral to interdisciplinary team members.
• Develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Develop appropriate exercise programs for strength, flexibility, balance and cardiorespiratory endurance.
• Provide patients and/or caregivers with education materials on symptom management.
• Be familiar with internet, local and the National M.S. Society resources.
• Understand the difference between neurological orthotics and biomechanical orthotics.
• Be familiar with orthotics, assistive devices, cooling devices and exercise equipment appropriate for the patient with M.S.

Schedule of instruction

	Day One		Day Two
7:30 8:00	Registration	8:00 9:45	Prioritizing Treatment (small group discussion)
8:00 10:00	Multiple Sclerosis- Pathophysiology		• Prioritize your treatment approach
	• History and prevalence		• Referral to appropriate health care providers
	• Diagnosis	9:45 10:00	Break
	• Disease process	10:00 12:00	Treatment
	• Course of disease		• Medications
	• Symptoms vs. exacerbations		- symptoms
	- primary symptoms		- immunotherapy
	- secondary symptoms		• Acute vs. chronic patients
	- tertiary symptoms		• Developing exercise programs for strength, range of motion, balance and cardiorespiratory
10:00 10:15	Break		• Modifying exercise for fatigue, heat sensitivity, spasticity and ataxia
10:15 10:45	Pathophysiology continued	12:00 1:00	Lunch (on your own)
	• Chronic vs. acute and pseudorelapse	1:00 2:00	Treatment, continued
	• Latest research		• Assistive devises
10:45 12:00	Evaluation		- orthotics neurological vs. biomechanical
	• Developing a comprehensive evaluation form		- cooling devises
	• Interdisciplinary team		• Developing comprehensive treatment plans for optimal functional status
	• History	2:00 2:15	Break
	- fatigue	2:15 4:30	Comprehensive Treatment Guidelines and Resources
	- heat sensitivity		• Treatment of acute exacerbations
	• Hypertonicity		• Symptom management
12:00 1:00	Lunch (on your own)		• Disease modification
1:00 2:00	Evaluation continued		• Rehabilitation
	• Ataxia		• Education handouts for caregiver and patient
	• Strength, range of motion, balance		• Psychosocial considerations
	• Mobility		• The patient as a good health care consumer
	- gait		- choices for symptom management
	- transfers		- assembling a medical team
	• Specific assessment tools intrathecal baclofen trial expanded disability scale	4:30 5:00	Questions/Review
2:00 2:15	Break
2:15 4:15	Video Demonstrations and Case Studies
	• Hypertonicity, spasms, clonus
	• Ataxia, weakness
	• Fatigue, heat sensitivity
4:15 5:00	Group Discussions/Problem Solving
	• Modify the evaluation form for your facility
	• Identify realistic treatment goals

Downloads

Course Brochures are in Adobe PDF format. Right click and choose "Save Target As" to download brochure. If you would like to open the brochure in your browser windows, select the link.

Course Brochure for Unlocking the Mystery of Effective Rehabilitation for Multiple Sclerosis

Scheduled Dates and Locations

Start Date	End Date	Location - **Click to Map It**	Tuition	Hrs	Hotel
Mar 14, 09	Mar 15, 09	Clarian Health/Methodist Hospital, Indianpolis, IN	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels
Apr 04, 09	Apr 05, 09	Gaylord Hospital, Wallingford, CT	$399.00	15.00	View Hotels
Nov 07, 09	Nov 08, 09	Holy Cross Hospital, Ft. Lauderdale, FL	$399.00	18.00	View Hotels