IC24 A Functional Prescription for the ALS Patient

Program ID Number: CRS000689
CEU Course ID: P273.15
Webinar Length of Time: 1.0 hour

Link to CEU Registration Information

Link to view the lecture presentation:

English

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Assistive technology is critical for patients diagnosed with ALS to maintain a level of independence with mobility, communication, and environmental controls. Selecting appropriate technology from the onset of diagnosis is crucial so adaptations can be made as the patient s function declines. Understanding the available assistive technology and implications benefit the patient s independence and quality of life.

Learning Objectives:

Describe three musculoskeletal changes that occur in ALS that would directly affect drive control selection in power mobility
Identify three access methods of an environmental control unit that would be available to an ALS patient
Understand the seating components and indications for positioning for the ALS patient

Faculty:

Jody D. Avia, OTD, OTR/L
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Denver, CO
United States
jody.avia@va.gov

Jody Avia is an Occupational Therapist at the Denver VA Medical Center. She has extensive experience treating Veterans with ALS, prescribing advanced manual/power mobility, and serves on the assistive technology team. Dr. Avia graduated from the University of New Hampshire (2002) and received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (2014) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Her love for the mountains keeps her skiing, biking, and hiking in her free time.

Note: Faculty for this activity have been required to disclose all relationships with any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of nonprofit or government organizations and non-healthcare related companies.

* No conflicts have been disclosed.

Randal Potter, ATP/SMS, CRTS
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Denver, CO
United States
randal.potter@hotmail.com

Randal Potter is a rehab technician that works for the Eastern Colorado Health Care System(Denver VA Med Center). He has been working in this field for more than 25 years. He is currently on both the Assistive technology and the Wheeled mobility teams. He is involved in prescribing complex seating, power and manual mobility, adaptive sports equipment and the interfaces with assistive technologies.

Note: Faculty for this activity have been required to disclose all relationships with any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of nonprofit or government organizations and non-healthcare related companies.

* No conflicts have been disclosed.

References:

Gruis, K. L., Wren, P.A., & Huggins, J. E. (2011). ALS patients self-reported satisfaction with assistive technology. Muscle Nerve, 43(5), 643-647.
Miller, R. G., Jackson, C. E., Kasarskis, E.J. England, J.D., Forshew, D. Johnston, W., Kalra, S., Katz, J.S., Mitsumoto, H., Rosenfeld, J., Shoesmith, C., Strong, M.J., & Woolley, S. C. (2009). Practice Parameter update: The care of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Drug, nutritional, and respiratory therapies (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 73(15), 1218-1226.
Ward, A. L., Sanjak, M., Duffy, K., Bravver, E., Williams, N., Nichols, M., & Brooks, B.R. (2010). Power wheelchair prescription, utilization, satisfaction, and cost for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Preliminary data for evidence-based. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation (91), 268-272.
Yunusove, Y., Green, J., Lindstrom, M., Ball, L., Pattee, G., & Zinman, L. (2009). Kinematics of Disease Progression in Bulbar ALS. Journal of Communication Disorders, 43(1), 1-21

Updated | 06.25.2015