Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Therapist’s Guide

Course Description:

According to recent statistics, there are approximately 1 million Americans living with Multiple Sclerosis.  This number is approximately 2.8 globally.  149 in every 100,000 Americans are affected by the disease so odds are you will be treating many individuals during your time practicing.  Laura K Miller, DPT, EdD, NCS, MSCS, ATP will guide you through the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in this second course. (Dr. Miller also offers a first course entitled Intro to Multiple Sclerosis: A Therapist’s Guide.) 

This course will help you:

• Define Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Review Medical Management
• Identify Various Types of Rehabilitation
• Interpret Research Related to Therapeutic Interventions to Manage MS
• Review Complementary and Alternative Therapies in MS
• Understand Outcome Measure in MS

Methods of Instruction:

Online audio/video course

Course Instructor:

Laura K. Miller, DPT, EdD, NCS, MSCS, ATP

Target Audience:

Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants, and Athletic Trainers.

Educational Level:

Intermediate

Prerequisites:

None

Course Goals and Objectives:

At the completion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Recognize common Multiple Sclerosis (MS) statistics and identify the hallmarks of MS
2. Identify risk factors/causes/exacerbations of Multiple Sclerosis and differentiate between types of MS
3. Identify the uses of Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs)
4. Recognize the benefits of the multidisciplinary approach and which profession is responsible for specific types of care
5. Identify common signs and symptoms of MS and the most effective treatment strategies for each
6. Recognize treatment for gait training, FES during gait, and balance training
7. Identify the statistics and symptoms of spasticity, common associations and evidence-based interventions
8. Identify effective treatment strategies with weight training, flexibility, progressive resistive exercise, kickboxing, aquatics, torso weighting, inspiratory training, and postural changes
9. Recognize and differentiate between complementary and alternative treatments for MS such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Massage Therapy, Meditation, Mindfulness, Cannabis/THC, Ginkgo Biloba and Diet
10. Recognize and differentiate between outcome measures including: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), MS EDGE Task Force, 12 Item MS Walking Scale, 6 Minute Walk Test, 9 Hole Peg Test, Berg Balance Scale, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, MS Functional Composite, MS Impact Scale, MS Quality of Life (MS QOL 54), Timed 25 Ft Walk Test and Timed Up and Go (TUG)

Criteria for Obtaining Continuing Education Credits:

A score of 70% or greater on the post-test