Headstrong Differential Diagnosis & Management of Concussion Recovery

PRESENTERS:

Heather Campbell, PT, DPT, MA, OCS (e) has four+ decades’ experience integrating musculoskeletal and neurologic recovery. In addition to serving on faculties of entry level and post-professional academic programs in physical therapy, medicine, and dentistry, Dr. Campbell has facilitated local,national and international professional continuing education seminars, as well as contributing the the competency in Vestibular Rehabilitation program at South Valley Physical Therapy in Denver. She currently serves as affiliate faculty at Regis University. With a career emphasis in cervical spine care, she focuses on postural, visual and vestibular interdependence and how to influence central sensory processing for recovery after injury or neurologic disease. Her expertise in concussion management links cervicovestibular assessment to all other components in a multidisciplinary approach to care.

Nicole Miranda, PT, DPT, MA is an assistant professor in the blended learning DPT program at South College based in Atlanta, GA, and affiliate faculty at Regis University in Denver, CO. She specializes in complex neurological and vestibular rehabilitation as well as rehabilitation following lower extremity limb loss, working with all ages from pediatrics through geriatrics. Her passions involve mentoring physical therapists to develop critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and treat patients with expert and compassionate care. Dr. Miranda participated in the development and presentation of a national concussion course through the APTA Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and has presented at local education courses and workshops as well as international multidisciplinary conferences. She provides webinars related to dysautonomia and exercise intolerance.

Drs. Miranda and Campbell developed a comprehensive physical therapy department and program for the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, a multidisciplinary intensive assessment and treatment group serving military veterans and retired athletes coping with persistent concussive disorders at University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, CO. They contributed substantively to the novel chapter on Concussion in Umphred’s Neurologic Rehabilitation 7th and 8th Editions and co-authored the chapter on Headache in Goodman and Fuller’s Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist 5th and 6th Editions. The Colorado Chapter of the APTA honored Dr. Campbell and Dr Miranda as 2019 Physical Therapists of the Year for their education in, advocacy for, and legislative action promoting physical therapists’ role in concussion management and determination of safe Return to Play decisions.

You have choices – why take THIS course?

Physical Therapists are leaders in determining readiness for return to activity after mTBI. This advanced collaborative learning workshop helps ensure clinicians are prepared for that responsibility.

We employ evidence- informed practical information necessary for differential diagnoses of acute and persistent concussive disorders (PCD). Interactive learning, practice of assessment and intervention skills, and case study exercises will equip participants for their own practice settings and populations.

Interfacing with community stakeholders, multidisciplinary health team, and legal implications are all discussed. Special attention is focused on motion provoked dizziness, visual motion hypersensitivity, postural maladaptations, and dysautonomia including POTS.

More than 50% of the workshop is hands-on and interpretation through discussion. Participants can submit cases for discussion using our template.

Course Objectives:

There is no easy formula for helping people manage their concussion recoveries. However, logical clinical reasoning drives an organized approach. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Describe the neural pathophysiology of mild traumatic brain injury and transition to persistent concussion symptoms, considering personal risk factors, associated trauma, and co morbidities that can lead to prolonged recovery time frames.

Effectively interview, objectively test, and develop a differential diagnosis with prioritized impairments leading to a customized novel treatment strategy based on patient goals and resources, best evidence, appropriate outcome measures, and critical analysis of all information gathered.

Consider categories of persistent concussive disorders when choosing functional inventories, objective tests and measures, and treatment dosing and order to achieve best outcomes.

Provide critical evidence-informed guidance for return to play, return to learn, return to work, and return to deployment

Understand the roles of the multidisciplinary team, including alternative therapies and devices in facilitating recovery; understand the impact of altered cognition, arousal, sleep, and mood on response to rehabilitation and recovery.

Speak confidently on the leadership role Physical Therapists fill on the multidisciplinary concussion management team. Course Schedule (approximate)

Subjects Covered:

• Evidence-based highlights and interpreting Clinical Practice Guidelines
• ICF model of concussion disorders
• Dizziness dissected
• Vestibular impairments and influences
• Visual system dysfunctions
• Somatosensory impairments
• Cervical impairments and influences
• Central sensory processing disruptions
• Exertion intolerance and training
• Return to learn/play/duty/life
• Behavior, cognition, sleep
• Legal considerations
• Apps, devices, alternative/complementary therapies

Registration

Course Registration fee includes:

Course book; references and resources; recommended supply list sent prior to course;

evaluation tools available for practice; light morning and afternoon refreshments.

Continuing Education Units

Physical Therapists: The course meets Colorado standards for 15 hours of Category I

continuing competence activities (C.R.S.§ 12-41-114.6)

Occupational Therapists: The course meets Colorado standards for 15 hours PDA

(C.R.S.§ 12-40.5-109.3, may use 12 hours)

Satisfactory Completion: Participants will document attendance, complete a course

evaluation, and complete the post-course assessment. No partial hours may be awarded.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Vail Health Hospital, 181 West Meadow Drive, Vail, United States