Course Description

“Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a problem largely impacting the function of the brain. It is considered a condition directly at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry – also known as a ‘neuropsychiatric’ disorder. In FND, the normal pathways your brain uses to move, feel, speak, walk, and/or think, are disrupted. This promotes symptoms such as paralysis…, episodes that resemble seizures, extra movements such as tremor or jerks, problems with memory, etc.” (https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/treatments-and-services/functional-neurological-disorder-basics.)

Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) are one of the top five reasons why people seek evaluation in neurology clinics. Emerging neuroscience on the pathophysiology of FND suggests that people with FND have impairments in several brain networks including difficulties with prediction, attention, interoception, and agency. Currently, physical therapy is a first line treatment for people with motor FND that is supported by consensus guidelines on physical therapy management and a recently completed randomized controlled trial. Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of PT for FND, and the creation of consensus recommendations, physical therapists working with people with FND continue to look for best treatment strategies for a complex heterogeneous population.

The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning (Optimizing Performance through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning), first published by Wulf and Lewthwaite, provides a framework that bridges the biopsychosocial model of treatment and offers additional strategies for the successful management of individuals with FND. OPTIMAL’s key concepts: autonomy, enhanced expectancies, early success, and external cues address the neurophysiology of FND and offer a treatment strategy for patients with FND that can enhance neuroplasticity and motor learning.

This course will explore use of the OPTIMAL theory in the treatment of FND to enable physical therapists to provide optimal treatment for people with FND.

Objectives

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

1. Describe the key principles of the OPTIMAL Theory of motor learning and how it applies to patients with FND.
2. Explain the neuroscience of FND including the concepts of predictive error, interoception, agency, internal focus and the role of brain networks and network dysfunction.
3. Explain how the neuroscience of FND informs physical therapy care models to optimize patient outcomes.
4. Apply the principal concepts of the OPTIMAL theory and consensus guidelines in order to develop
   treatment strategies and interventions to provide science-informed optimal care for patients with FND

How To Register

Registration can only be accepted through our secure online website. Payment may be made with MasterCard, Discover, or Visa credit cards. American Express is not accepted. Payment can also be made using an electronic check.

To register, visit:

https://apps.shp.rutgers.edu/projects/onlinepayment/PT/PT_form.cfm

Registration Fees

• UMDNJ / Rutgers PT Alumni: $50.00
• Rutgers DPT Clinical Educators: $50.00
• APTA Member: $50.00
• All others: $80.00

Confirmation: Once registered, you will receive a receipt of payment, confirmation letter, handouts, and additional information to assist you with your plans to attend this course. Please save the receipt and the rest of the information.

Cancellation / Refund: A full refund, less a $15.00 cancellation fee, will be granted if notice is received at least 48 hours in advance of the program. Refunds cannot be given for “no shows” or cancellations received after that time. Cancellations should be made directly through Nancy Mingelgreen at nancy.mingelgreen@rutgers.edu.

Please attach your receipt to your cancellation email.

Continuing Education Credits

This program has been approved by the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 3 continuing education credits, Board Course Number 2411-01.

Rutgers University’s Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy is recognized by the NY State Education Department’s State Board of Physical Therapy, and by the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy, as an Approved Provider of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant Continuing Education.

Course Handouts

The course handout will be provided to you electronically just prior to the course.

For additional Information, please email Nancy Mingelgreen: mingelna@shp.rutgers.edu.

Heather Salon, PT, DPT, NCS is a clinical specialist on the outpatient physical therapy service at Massachusetts General Hospital.

She is a mentor and faculty member of the MGH Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency
program and provides clinical care to patients
with neurological and vestibular disorders including close collaboration with the FND Clinic at MGH. She also provides coverage of specialty multi-disciplinary care clinics for Huntington’s Disease.

Currently she is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at Northeastern University with proposed research in the development of mentors in physical therapy residency programs. She is an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University and the MGH Institute for Health Professions. She lectures in her faculty role, as well as being an invited speaker on various topics, including Functional Neurological Disorders. She is recognized as a Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Julie Hershberg, PT, DPT, NCS is board certified as a clinical specialist in neurologic rehabilitation practicing in outpatient private practice.

She is the founder and owner of re+Active PT & Wellness in Los Angeles, CA where she has led post-stroke and movement disorders clinical research, started the Schmidt Movement Disorders Fellowship and continues to lead an integrated team of PT, OT, psychology and wellness professionals at two locations. She is an associate professor at the University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and regularly teaches and mentors online on topics such as functional neurologic disorders, movement disorders, stroke, clinical decision making and preventing burnout.

She was named the 2019 Neurologic Clinician of the Year from the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy. And in 2021 received the APTA Florence P. and Henry O. Kendall Practice Award.

Julie Maggio, PT, DPT, NCS is a clinical specialist for the outpatient physical therapy service at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as an affiliated researcher with the MGH Functional Neurology Research Group.

She works exclusively with patients who have neurologic dysfunction and has extensive experience treating patients with Functional Neurological Disorders.

Her research is focused on outpatient care of patients with FND and she actively lectures on physical therapy treatment for FND. Julie is a founding member of the FND society and is recognized as a Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Course Description

The APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program is a voluntary program designed primarily for people interested in or involved with clinical education, such as clinical instructors, site coordinators of clinical education, and directors of clinical education. Other health care providers who offer clinical education in a supervisory role to students, including physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and health care providers from other professions can use this program to enhance their clinical instruction education. (APTA Website: https://www.apta.org/for-educators/clinical-education-development/ccip-level-1#CCIP1/)

Certified Clinical Instructor Training Program Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the parallels between the characteristics of the practitioner and clinical educator.
2. Prepare for students’ clinical education experiences.
3. Identify student learning needs and areas of competence.
4. Design high-quality learning experiences for students at all levels of experience.
5. Implement clinical teaching methods and supervisory techniques that support ongoing adult learning.
6. Provide effective formative and summative evaluation.
7. Recognize legal and supervisory implications for clinical educators, including issues presented by the Americans with Disabilities Act legislation, Medicare regulations, and the Patient’s Bill of Rights.
8. Identify student-specific qualities and performance indicators.

Assessment Center: The Assessment Center component of this program allows physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to apply information from the education program in simulated situations. Successful completion of all aspects of the Assessment Center result in the awarding of the APTA clinical instructor credential. The Assessment Center is integrated into the program schedule.

Registration Information

Registration and payment of all fees must be completed directly through the APTA website. See registration instructions below.

How To Register

Registration can only be done through the APTA website. You are looking to register for the course being held at Rutgers: Course number 202509NJ062.

Registration Fees

• APTA Member: $110.00
• All others: $225.00

Please follow the attached instructions to register! If you have difficulty registering for this course, please contact the APTA directly at ccip@apta.org or (703)706-8531

Dr. Dennise Krencicki, PT, DPT, MA is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the DPT Program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

She teaches in the area of professional issues, clinical education and ethics, Dr. Krencicki became a credentialed clinical instructor in 1998 and was certified as a level 1 course trainer in 2002. She was in the first group to be certified as a credentialed CI and trainer for the advanced course in 2008. In 2021, she was recertified to teach both Level 1 and Level 2 courses.

She has her BS in PT from Boston University, MA in Applied Physiology from Columbia University, and her post-professional DPT from UMDNJ. She has been active in APTA, including serving terms as NJ Chapter President, Chief Delegate, Chair of the Chapter Ethics Committee, and Active Delegate for over 30 years. She also served as a Physical Therapist Member of the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 7 years, holding positions of Secretary and Vice Chairperson and recently completed her 5- year appointment to APTA’s Ethics and Judicial Committee.

Dr. Nancy Mingelgreen, PT, DPT, CLT is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the DPT Program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

She teaches in the areas of professional behaviors, clinical education, communication, teaching and learning, lymphedema and edema management, and a variety of other topics. Additionally, Dr. Mingelgreen manages the DPT Program’s post-professional continuing education program. Dr. Mingelgreen became a CCIP Level 1 Trainer in 2019. She received her BSPT from the University of Pennsylvania and her DPT from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, now Rutgers University.

Dr. Ruth Lyons Hansen, PT, DPT, PhD is a Professor and Program Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she previously served as the Director of Clinical Education.

Ruth is board certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. She has been a certified trainer for the American Physical Therapy Association’s Clinical Instructor Credentialing Program since 1998. She has over 40 years of clinical experience with the majority of that working with clients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. She has published and presented research at state and national conferences in areas relating to cardiovascular disease prevention and clinical education.