Stroke Camp is an elective course offered to the Doctor of Physical Therapy students at Des Moines University.  During the camp, individuals post-CVA receive intensive physical therapy treatment delivered by the DPT students under the supervision of faculty and clinician volunteers.

Agenda

Objectives

• List potential benefits of backward and lateral walking upon muscle strength and gait.
• Describe how to best incorporate lateral walking gait training into the physical therapy treatment plan for a person post-CVA.
• Describe the following clinical measures: Trunk Impairment Scale, Function in Sitting Test, and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke.
• Explain a sequence for core stabilization exercises for patients post stroke.

During the camp the participants will participate in a one-hour group exercise and/or tai chi lesson and/or instruction in weight supported treadmill training led by the course instructor. The clinician will be able to:

• List 3 mat exercises utilizing proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to increase trunk strength.
• Demonstrate a pelvic PNF pattern designed to improve the patient’s gait pattern.
• Explain the benefits of tai chi for balance and fall prevention.
• State safety precautions for the patient and therapist during unweighted treadmill training.

Instructor

Kathy Mercuris, PT, DHS, C/NDT, CEEAA received her BS in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University and her Doctorate in Health Sciences at the University of Indianapolis. She is certified in adult hemiplegia by the Neurodevelopment Association, is a certified Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention instructor, and has Certification as Exercise Expert in Aging Adults.  She has 38 years of experience working with individuals with neurologic dysfunction and teaching in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Des Moines University.

CEU Requirements

Offered to clinicians completing one full day of supervision during the Stroke Camp. Prior to the camp, the clinician volunteers will:

• Complete a post-test related to the content in two provided research articles.
• Read the required articles:
  • Cabanas-Valdes R, Bagur-Calafat C, Girabent-Farrés M, Caballero-Gómez FM, Hernández-Valiño M, Urrútia Cuchí G. et al. The effect of additional core stability exercises on improving dynamic sitting balance and trunk control for subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2015 Oct 8. (Epub ahead of print)  
  • Kim CY, Lee JS, Kim HD. Comparison of the effect of lateral and backward walking training on walking function in patients with poststroke hemiplegia. Stroke Rehabil.  2016 June 17. (Epub ahead of print)
• Participate in a one-hour on-line discussion with all of the clinicians and course instructor. Scheduled for late afternoon or early evening in August. 
• Complete the post-test.