Course Description:

This is a 12-hour course designed to provide evidence-based examination and intervention strategies to rehabilitation professionals for patient populations with dynamic and constantly fluctuating abilities: those with Parkinson disease as well as those with atypical presentations termed parkinsonisms. Initially, a foundation is built around the pathoanatomy and pathophysiology of Parkinson disease including the role of medications, clinical diagnosis and prognosis. The pathophysiology and pathoanatomy of related movement disorders will also be presented for the purpose of differential diagnosis in a clinical setting. The remainder of the course will be presented in a case-based format with group discussions and psychomotor labs devoted to evidence-based examination and intervention. By the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to use knowledge gained about the irregular and often unpredictable course of a progressive neurological disease to optimize function and mobility.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the pathoanatomy and pathophysiology of idiopathic Parkinson disease and atypical presentations of Parkinson disease termed parkinsonism.
• Identify clinical signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson disease, atypical presentations of Parkinson disease, and related movement disorders for the purpose of differential diagnosis.
  These movement disorders include:
  • a. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and variants
    b. Huntington Disease
    c. Cerebellar Ataxia
    d. Multiple Systems Atrophy
    e. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• List the components of a comprehensive examination of individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease as well as discuss the performance differences among those with atypical parkinsonisms.
• Utilize evidence-based clinical outcome measures to chart improvement in impairments in body structure and function, activity limitations and participation restrictions for individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease.
• Apply intervention techniques including motor learning concepts, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise and fall prevention exercise to individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease.
• Recognize clinical signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson disease and atypical presentations of Parkinson disease termed Parkinsonism allowing for optimal communication and intervention planning between the physical therapist assistant and the supervising physical therapist.
• Identify clinical signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson disease, atypical presentations of Parkinson disease, and related movement disorders for the purpose of optimizing
  communication and intervention planning between the physical therapist assistant and the supervising physical therapist. These movement disorders include:
  • a. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and variants
    b. Huntington Disease
    c. Cerebellar Ataxia
    d. Multiple Systems Atrophy
    e. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Recognize evidence-based clinical outcome measures utilized in an examination/re-examination of individuals with Parkinson disease to allow for an increased understanding of the content of these outcome measures and their utilization in intervention planning
• Apply intervention techniques including motor learning concepts, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise and fall prevention exercise to individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease.