Motor Learning in Neuro Rehab

As occupational therapists, many of us have witnessed the wonder of motor learning in neuro rehab.

Yet despite years of research attempting to identify the most effective post-stroke interventions, the reality is that our understanding of how to improve recovery of function remains incomplete.

The article we are reviewing today serves as an update on the state of the science in how new theories of motor control and learning can be incorporated into practice.

The authors put particular emphasis on how new technologies may be needed to truly meet the many principles of neuroplasticity, and in particular they point to virtual, augment, and mixed reality technologies.

After we review the research, we are excited to welcome to the podcast an OT who works for one such virtual rehab solution as their Manager of Clinical Services, Katie Riccio, MS, OTR/L. Katie will share what she has learned about neurorehab in her role. And orient us to the stroke rehab tech tools on the market, how they can intersect with you in-person practice — and what to expect on the horizon.

1. You will be able to identify how virtual rehab can help meet the principles of neuroplasticity in OT treatment.

2. You will be able to recognize how virtual rehab can augment in person OT.

• Intro and breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • Intro to motor learning in neurorehab

  • What was the intent of this research?

  • Theories of motor control and learning

  • General principles of exercise dependent neuroplasticity

  • Applications of motor control and learning principles in neurorehab using VR

  • Authors discussion/conclusions

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs

  1. Can you tell me about your journey to your current job?

  2. Can you tell me about Neurofenix and how it fits into the larger ecosystem of virtual neurorehab?

  3. What were your impressions of this research?

  4. Did you find any of the theories presented helpful?

  5. How do you currently understand the interplay between in person rehab and virtual rehab?

  6. How are virtual rehab options currently paid for?

  7. What have you learned from your work about intensity levels in UL neuro rehab?

  8. What have you learned about the importance of progressive levels of challenge in neurorehab?

  9. What have you learned about feedback and its role in stroke rehab?

  10. In your view, what remains missing from virtual stroke rehab? (And, what changes do you see on the horizon?)

  11. How do we as OTs position ourselves as experts in stroke tech rehab?

Primary

• Motor Learning in Neurological Rehabilitation

Additional

• Application of Home-Based Wearable Technologies in Physical Rehabilitation for Stroke: A Scoping Review

• Neurorehabilitation From a Distance: Can Intelligent Technology Support Decentralized Access to Quality Therapy?

• Advances and Challenges in Stroke Rehabilitation

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic.

Speaker interests: Katie Riccio is Manager of Clinical Services at Neurofenix, which sells the NeuroBall upper extremity rehabilitation platform — the category of virtual rehab technology discussed in this course.