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MICHEL (SHELLY) JANET DENES, PT, C/NDT Related seminars and products

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MICHEL JANET (SHELLY) DENES, PT, C/NDT, maintains a current part-time clinical practice at the Rehab Institute of Michigan, where she works with patients who have multiple diagnoses, including spinal cord injuries, hemiplegia, neuromuscular disease, neuromuscular disorders, and traumatic brain injury. She has worked actively in various rehab settings for more than 25 years. Ms. Denes has a special interest and experience in using advanced technology, and strategies for complex clinical cases. She has been involved extensively with many advanced technologies, including FES cycling, FES Neuroprosthetic devices, and innovative lower extremity orthotics to get patients moving again. She has also been involved with exoskeleton robotics for gait and gait training with patients who have neurological injuries and other disabilities.

 

Ms. Denes graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Physical Therapy and completed her certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) in Adult Hemiplegia at the Rehab Institute of Chicago. She has shared her insights with practicing professionals at seminars held nationally, at the annual Michigan Physical Therapy Association meetings, and through adjunct faculty work at Wayne State University. She is also contracted periodically for expert witness work.

 

Disclosure:

Financial: Michel Janet Denes maintains a private practice, and she is a consultant with Experts in Therapy, LLC and NewGait. She receives a speaking honorarium and product royalties from PESI, Inc. Her relevant relationship with an ineligible organization has been mitigated.

Non-financial: Michel Janet Denes is a member of the advisory board of Evergreen Certifications and a committee leader for the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

Target Audience

Objectives

1. Identify key components for evaluation and indications for proper treatment and planning for patients with progressive neurological diseases
2. Discuss physiological changes in movement disorders to effectively implement successful rehab programming for these individuals
3. Implement sensorimotor integration as a global approach to balance and postural adjustments
4. Utilize assessment tools using balance strategy concepts and advanced balance techniques
5. Identify and understand the difference between upper and lower motor neuron changes with these diseases
6. Learn to utilize skills assessment and treatment skills in neurological, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic areas to improve function

Outline

SPECIFIC NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS (45 minutes)

• Modified Ashworth Scale
• Sensorimotor testing
  • Gaze stabilization
  • Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR)
  • Proprioception testing
  • Romberg testing

GAIT ASSESSMENT & TRAINING: THE SIXTH VITAL SIGN (30 minutes)

• Abnormal Gait/Falls
  • Gait strategies for “fallers”
  • Outcome Measures
    • Gait speed
• Advanced Gait Training and Skills
  • Fall Recovery
  • Barefoot Gait skills

NEWER REHABILIATION TECHNOLOGY (30 minutes) 

• Functional Electrical Stimulation Devices
  • Foot drop
  • Grasp and release
• Exoskeltons/Robotics for gait
• Orthotics for complicated cases
  • Toe-off/push-off AFOs

SPECIALITY MUSCULO-SKELETAL INTERVENTIONS (15 minutes)

• Soft Tissue/Friction/Deep Massage/Skin Rolling
• Cold Therapy and Ice
• Mobilization

EFFECTIVE NEUROLOGICAL TREATMENT TECHNIQUES (60 minutes)

• Tone management
• Advanced ADLs
• UE apraxia and coordination interventions
• Fatigue management and energy conservation
• Gaze Stabilization Strategies
• Neuropathic Pain Management
• Posture, alignment, and coordination
• NDT (Neurodevelopmental Treatment)

ADDITIONAL TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS (15 minutes)

• The Fallproof^TM Balance & Mobility Program
• Aquatic therapy
• Targeted botox

PARKINSON’S DISEASE (45 minutes) 

• Altered sensory perception and activation
• Difficulty with changing strategies and dividing attention
• Tremors, rigidity, posture changes
• Decreased coordination and gait issues
• Improving akinesia and bradykinesia
• Rehab Treatment Planning
  • Safe exercise treatment programs
  • Balance
  • Speed and amplitude movement
  • Whole body and large movement exercises

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS/TRANSVERSE MYELITIS (45 minutes) 

• Elevated core body temp
• Affective disorders and staging
• Neuropathies, weakness, and tone changes
• Balance, tremors, and coordination issue
• Invisible symptoms
• Weighted vests to address ataxia
• Endurance and energy management
• Rehab interventions & realistic goal setting

GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME (30 minutes)

• Miller Fisher syndrome
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
• Multifocal motor neuropathy
• Address pain issues
• Long term effects

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) (30 minutes)

• Upper vs. lower motor neuron
• Bulbar
• Respiratory
• Physical changes in patient
• Address goals realistically and treat wisely

PUTTIN IT ALL TOGETHER (15 minutes)

• Patient and family education
• Make the rehab fit your patients!
• Solutions for reimbursement challenges

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