Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Activity Considerations

Description: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease defined by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, which manifests clinically as progressive weakness. Many people with a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are interested in therapeutic exercise. Despite the high interest from patients, the effects of exercise in this population are not well understood. This session will review the clinical and preclinical data as it pertains to exercise safety and efficacy in ALS, define a practical approach to counseling and prescribing therapeutic exercise to patients with ALS, as well as the controversial topics such as high levels of physical activity or sports-related concussions as ALS risk factors.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Express the fundamentals of ALS pathophysiology and diagnosis.
• Define historic and contemporary perspectives on the role of therapeutic exercise in the management of patients with ALS.
• Determine a practical, and personalized approach to advising about and prescribing therapeutic exercise in ALS.
• Describe how you can navigate people with ALS through the mixed messages they may have received about therapeutic exercise including controversies such as high physical activity or sports concussions as ALS risk factors.

Instructor:  Colin Franz, MD/PhD, FAAPMR, Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), Neuromuscular Medicine (ABPMR), and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM), Neuromuscular Ultrasound Certificate of Added Qualification (ABEM), Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Neurology, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University

Audience: Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists

Note: You will have 3 months from the date of purchase to complete and review the course material. You will receive a reminder email 2 weeks before the expiration date. 

Continuing Education Credits

Occupational Therapy 

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 00536. This distance learning – independent and interactive webinar is offered at .1 CEUs [intermediate, OT service delivery/Foundational Knowledge]. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.

Physical Therapy

The Illinois Physical Therapy Board for 1 Contact Hours has approved this course.  Approval #216-000069

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.  This course has been approved by the New York Physical Therapy Board for 1 Contact Hours

Speech-Language Pathology

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Related area).

Disclosures  

Financial -  Receives a salary from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Non-Financial -  No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists

Basic Computer Requirements: You will need access to a computer with an Internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) is highly recommended. 

• PC: Compatible Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 Web Browser: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 or higher
• MAC: Compatible Operating System: OS X Web Browser: Firefox, Chrome, Safari

Cancellation Policy: To request a cancellation of an on-demand program, please provide written notice by letter, email, or fax or contact us by phone within 24 hours of placing your order and we will refund you the full course fee. If you cannot give notice within 24 hours, a credit towards a future course of equal value would apply.