In this episode, host Parm Padgett is joined by Miriam Rafferty and Monica Hendricksen from Shirley Ryan Ability Lab to explore the impact of current care models on individuals with neurologic conditions. Together, they delve into the opportunities and challenges of adopting innovative approaches to care and examine how these models can improve outcomes and transform practice. They take the discussion from theory to practice by reviewing a recent case series applying a consultative, proactive model of PT for people with MS.  Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of neurologic care and the practical steps to implement these models of care in your practice. 

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

For questions about this podcast, please contact [email protected].

Show notes: https://app.box.com/s/vrfnib0mg981h0smaxbkhgh4ebqk9887

In this episode, host Parm Padgett welcomes Taylor Takla to discuss her article, “Motor and Non-Motor Factors of Concern About Falling and Fear of Falling in Multiple Sclerosis” published in the October 2024 issue of JNPT. Taylor’s research delves into the complexities behind fear of falling and contributing factors among individuals with MS. Join the conversation to explore the clinical implications of her findings and how they can influence therapy approaches for those living with MS. 

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of 
Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

For questions about this podcast, please contact [email protected].

Show notes available at: https://app.box.com/s/95du2gsslgm6xl0pzyitqv3zrpwpxybc

In this episode, host Ken Vinacco talks to guest Kristina Vaughn to discuss the role of physical therapists working with individuals with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH is a condition that leads to excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in ventricles of the brain. This  can lead to gait abnormalities, cognitive changes, and urinary incontinence. Ken and Kristina discuss how to differentiate from other neurologic diagnoses and what PTs can do to in the clinic or as a member of a multi-disciplinary NPH clinic team. 

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of 
Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

For questions about this podcast, please contact [email protected].

Show notes available: https://app.box.com/s/zzlyovhljhzm6qscq11lrfbp9v8z40ev

In this episode, host Ken Vinacco talks with Bobby Hand about the role and intricacies of skilled maintenance therapy for individuals with degenerative diseases. Skilled maintenance therapy is the care that physical therapists can provide to individuals who have conditions with no curative treatment. Bobby and Ken delve into how PTs can provide therapy that impacts the individual’s quality of life, even when they are not expected to make improvements. Bobby shares examples from his clinical practice, and tips for making it work for your practice.   

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

For questions about this podcast, please contact [email protected] 
 

Show notes available here: https://app.box.com/s/h12shsaxu8lpaaxabxk798qd96rpud41

In this special episode, our podcast team interviewed listeners and former guests at CSM 2024 to find out what they were excited about doing when treating people with neurodegenerative conditions. We are excited to share their answers with you, along with some commentary from our current team, as a celebration of our 50th episode.  

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org

Please send comments or questions on this podcast to [email protected]. 

In this installment of our series on rare neurologic diseases, host Ken Vinacco talks with Claudia Senesac about physical therapy for people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). DMD and BMD are both disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness, with BMD often presenting with less severe weakness and later in life. Claudia covers the medical management and prognosis, PT assessment, and PT treatment for people with these unique diagnoses. 

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

A link to the show notes will be posted here when available

In this installment of our series on rare neurologic diseases, Ken Vinnaco talks with Megan Iammarino about physical therapy for people with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), an umbrella term that encompasses a varied group of disorders affecting the proximal muscles around the shoulders and hips that impacts approximately 2 in every 100,000 people. Megan covers the assessment, PT treatment and prognosis for people with this unique diagnosis that causes significant balance and gait challenges.  

Show notes available here : https://www.neuropt.org/docs/default-source/degenerative-diseases-sig/4d-podcast-show-notes—2019/ddsig-podcast-show-notes-2023/show-notes—episode-48-megan-iammarino-lgmd.pdf

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org

In this episode, Chris interviews Michelle Walaszek, a winner of the DDSIG platform award at CSM Boston in 2024. Michelle, a PhD candidate and research associate in the Knowledge Translation of Exercise and Activity for Symptom Management (KTEAM) lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, explains important qualitative research that her team completed in their local Chicagoland area. She discusses themes that arose from survey data and analysis that assessed attitudes and experience with PD rehabilitation care for the Black or African American (BAA) community. Chris and Michelle also talk about some early applications of this information for clinicians, as well as next steps in the research.  

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 
 

In this episode, Parm interviews Chelsea “CJ” Duppen, a winner of the DDSIG platform award at CSM Boston in 2024. CJ, a fourth year PhD student at the University of North Carolina, works with Dr. Mike Lewek in the Recovery of Gait and Neurorehabilitation (ReGaiN) lab, studying gait and gait initiation impairments in people living with Parkinson Disease, as well as motor learning. Parm and CJ discuss CJ’s poster, “Gait Initiation Dynamics in Parkinson Disease: Impact of Weight Shift Amplitude and Freezing of Gait.” CJ tell us about the importance of anticipatory postural adjustments for weight shifts required in gait initiation, and how these play a role in first step length. Have you ever wondered if better weight shift improved someone with PD’s first step? Listen in to learn more!  

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 
 

In this episode, Chris Burke interviews Kayla Chomko who, along with Jen Canbeck, Lauren Tabor Gray, and Rania Massad, won the DDSIG Best Poster Award at APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting in February 2024.  Chris and Kayla discuss her team’s poster, “The Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment Discriminates between Fallers and Non-Fallers in pALS: A Retrospective Study”. They delve into the impetus for and findings from their research, how Kayla utilizes data from outcome measures to facilitate patient discussions in clinic, and what direction future research may take.  

The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of 
Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 

Are you a PT who works with this population? Participate in a national survey on outcome measures for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants working with pALS (Link active as of April 2024): https://redcap.nova.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=JKYLEC3KC9RFK7WF 

Show notes available here:
https://www.neuropt.org/docs/default-source/degenerative-diseases-sig/4d-podcast-show-notes—2019/ddsig-podcast-show-notes-2023/csm-award-winners-bonus-episode-2—kayla-chomko.pdf