Treating individuals with ataxia is challenging for many reasons. Having some key insights from the literature is just what you need! That’s why on this week’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Dr. Jeannie Stephenson, PT, PhD, MS, MCS and Dr. Staci Shearin, PT, PhD, NCS, GCS to discuss their research and clinical experiences in treating ataxia. The speakers recently presented a webinar inside NeuroSpark for members and the takeaways were so good we had to bring them on the podcast to share more! In the episode you’ll learn their insights on various types of ataxia, effective therapeutic approaches, and the importance of intensive task-specific training. They’ll debunk common misconceptions such as the most effective approach to training and whether or not weighting is a good idea. The answers may surprise you. They also provide practical advice for clinicians on using assistive devices, outcome measures, and external cues to enhance patient treatment and support. This episode is an informative resource for anyone interested in improving mobility and the quality of life for individuals with ataxia.
Want to dive deeper into treating ataxia and get continuing education credits? Good news! We’ve recently updated the Ataxia Masterclass for PTs and OTs with 3 all NEW modules for a total of 6.25 contact hours, including the webinar mentioned in the episode by Dr. Stephenson and Dr. Shearin! Get it here today.
