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Neurorehab Lessons Every New Grad Needs to Know
In this episode of the No Plateau Podcast, host Henry Hoffman sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and educator Annie McCluskey to unpack the neurorehab lessons she wishes she had known as a new grad. With over 30 years of experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation, Annie brings a refreshingly honest perspective on how practice has evolved and where clinicians still get stuck.
They dive into big topics like becoming a true movement scientist early on, why repetition, intensity, and high dose practice matter from day one, and how fear once held therapists back from pushing patients hard enough. Why were we so cautious for so long? And what does the evidence actually say now? Annie challenges outdated habits like excessive hands on facilitation, routine splinting, and low rep sessions, advocating instead for task specific, meaningful practice that patients can carry beyond therapy hours.
The conversation also explores courage, having the confidence to question tradition, de implement ineffective treatments, and speak up in clinical settings. What should new grads stop doing immediately? And how can they collaborate more deeply with stroke survivors rather than prescribing one size fits all programs?
This episode is a must listen for students, new grads, and seasoned clinicians ready to rethink how neurorehab is delivered and how much better it could be.
In This Episode
Introduction to Annie McCluskey (00:00)
The Birth of Stroke Ed (03:03)
Lesson 1: Becoming a Movement Scientist (06:12)
Lesson 2: Repetition, Intensity, and High Dose Practice (12:42)
Lesson 3: Being Courageous in Clinical Decisions (25:34)
Introduction to Bo Bath Therapy (27:57)
Task-Specific Training vs. Bo Bath (28:49)
Challenges in Therapy Approaches (29:48)
The Evolution of Strength Training (31:05)
Hands-On Therapy and Its Limitations (34:46)
The Importance of Hand Function (36:51)
Collaborative Rehabilitation Planning (40:38)
Advice for New OT Graduates (44:23)
Resources and Courses for Therapists (49:01)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (51:27)
Our Guest
Annie McCluskey, OT, PhD
Annie McCluskey is an occupational therapist, researcher, and educator with over 30 years of experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation across Australia, the UK, and internationally. She has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed to multiple book chapters, and secured over $4 million in competitive research funding. Annie is the co-developer and director of StrokeEd, an education platform dedicated to translating evidence-based neurorehabilitation research into everyday clinical practice.
Resources & Links
StrokeEd Website
StrokeEd Free Lecture Series
StrokeEd Online Workshops & MOOCs
Annie McCluskey on LinkedIn
Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn
Saebo
On YouTube
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group
Stroke Guidelines 2023
View all episodes
By Henry Hoffman
5
44 ratings
In this episode of the No Plateau Podcast, host Henry Hoffman sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and educator Annie McCluskey to unpack the neurorehab lessons she wishes she had known as a new grad. With over 30 years of experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation, Annie brings a refreshingly honest perspective on how practice has evolved and where clinicians still get stuck.
They dive into big topics like becoming a true movement scientist early on, why repetition, intensity, and high dose practice matter from day one, and how fear once held therapists back from pushing patients hard enough. Why were we so cautious for so long? And what does the evidence actually say now? Annie challenges outdated habits like excessive hands on facilitation, routine splinting, and low rep sessions, advocating instead for task specific, meaningful practice that patients can carry beyond therapy hours.
The conversation also explores courage, having the confidence to question tradition, de implement ineffective treatments, and speak up in clinical settings. What should new grads stop doing immediately? And how can they collaborate more deeply with stroke survivors rather than prescribing one size fits all programs?
This episode is a must listen for students, new grads, and seasoned clinicians ready to rethink how neurorehab is delivered and how much better it could be.
In This Episode
Introduction to Annie McCluskey (00:00)
The Birth of Stroke Ed (03:03)
Lesson 1: Becoming a Movement Scientist (06:12)
Lesson 2: Repetition, Intensity, and High Dose Practice (12:42)
Lesson 3: Being Courageous in Clinical Decisions (25:34)
Introduction to Bo Bath Therapy (27:57)
Task-Specific Training vs. Bo Bath (28:49)
Challenges in Therapy Approaches (29:48)
The Evolution of Strength Training (31:05)
Hands-On Therapy and Its Limitations (34:46)
The Importance of Hand Function (36:51)
Collaborative Rehabilitation Planning (40:38)
Advice for New OT Graduates (44:23)
Resources and Courses for Therapists (49:01)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (51:27)
Our Guest
Annie McCluskey, OT, PhD
Annie McCluskey is an occupational therapist, researcher, and educator with over 30 years of experience in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation across Australia, the UK, and internationally. She has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed to multiple book chapters, and secured over $4 million in competitive research funding. Annie is the co-developer and director of StrokeEd, an education platform dedicated to translating evidence-based neurorehabilitation research into everyday clinical practice.
Resources & Links
StrokeEd Website
StrokeEd Free Lecture Series
StrokeEd Online Workshops & MOOCs
Annie McCluskey on LinkedIn
Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn
Saebo
On YouTube
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group
Stroke Guidelines 2023