Neurodegenerative Disease (e.g. MS, Parkinson's disease)

Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)

Instructional Course

(600714) IC 17: Rehabilitation Approaches for People with Severe MS

Presenter(s)

• 

  Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, FACRM

  Director MS Research
  Shepherd Center
  Atlanta, Georgia
• BS

  Bonnie Schaude, MA, CCC/SLP

  Speech Pathologist
  Shepherd Center Multiple Sclerosis Institute
  Johns Creek, Georgia
• 

  Ian Flannery, PT, DPT

  Therapy Manager, Physical Therapist
  Shepherd Center
  East Point , Georgia
• 

  Joy Williams, PT, DPT, NCS

  Physical Therapist and MS Research Fellow
  Shepherd Center
  Atlanta, Georgia
• 

  Guy Buckle, MD, MPH

  Director of Neuroimaging Research
  MS Institute at Shepherd Center
  Atlanta
• 

  Anna Berry, PT, DPT

  Manager of Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation and Wellness Programs
  Shepherd Center
  Decatur, Georgia

Non-presenting author(s)

• RS

  Rebecca Shivers, OTR/L, CLT

  Occupational Therapist
  Shepherd Center
  Atlanta, Georgia

People with severe MS have significant motor, sensory and/or cognitive impairments that limit their health and function, and thus their participation and quality of life. Although disease modifying therapies may prevent relapses and delay disease progression in people , many deficits remain that impair function and limit physical activity in people MS. This session will provide the rationale for including rehabilitation in a comprehensive management model for people with severe MS. Evidence will be presented related to various rehabilitation strategies, and case studies will be used to show the integration of this evidence into clinical practice. 

Learning Objectives:

• Provide the rationale for including rehabilitation early and across the continuum for comprehensive care for people with severe MS
• Describe the mechanisms by which rehabilitation may improve health and function in people with severe MS
• Discuss potential rehabilitation approaches to improve physical and cognitive function for people with severe MS and discuss how to implement into a clinical program of care
• Translate the evidence into practice by identifying at least two rehabilitation related strategies or interventions they will employ with their next patient with severe MS