Episodes
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Perspectives on Neuroplasticity: Part 2
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Wednesday May 04, 2022
EPISODE TITLE: Perspectives on Neuroplasticity Part 2
INTRO: This episode is the continued conversation between two OTRs and two soon-to-be new grad OTs. During this episode we will wrap up virtual reality and move into other methods of traditional and non-traditional therapy with a focus on safety and interprofessional communication. The conversation rounds out with caretaker, friends, and family roles and the importance of support in rehabilitation and neuroplasticity.
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified Perspectives on Neuroplasticity Part 2, with Tracy Bentley Root, Morgan Wellenzohn, and Sarah DiMayo we talked about:
- Virtual reality and the contraindications associated
- Mirror therapy and what are appropriate activities
- Action observation opportunities in the hospital with caretakers
- Weightbearing as a rehabilitation technique and safety
- Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
- Including caregivers/friends/colleagues in the rehabilitation process
- Equipment used in clinic and safety
As was stated in part 1 of this podcast “practice makes progress” and practice can come in many forms of therapy. They may be traditional such as mirror therapy and constraint induced movement therapy or non-traditional such as action observations with a family member. No matter what, recovery to desired rolls is possible, with careful consideration from healthcare providers and unique ways friends and coworkers can get involved. A great student take-away is to not underestimate the amount of knowledge we bring to our level II fieldwork sites and supervisors. Therapy is a collaborative process that requires and is enhanced by contributions from various perspectives.
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways!
LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Park, J., Chang, M., Kim, K., Kim, K. (2015). The effect of mirror therapy on upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(6), 1681-1683. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.1681
Related Noggins And Neurons podcast episodes:
- Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook group
- Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast using your PayPal app:
Donate to Noggins And Neurons and get an Allstar Pete Trading Card
PETE’S RESOURCES:
DEB’S OT RESOURCES:
- The OT's Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit!
MUSIC
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Perspectives on Neuroplasticity: Part 1
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Friday Apr 22, 2022
QR Code to JOIN THE NOGGINS AND NEURONS FACEBOOK GROUP
EPISODE TITLE: Perspectives on Neuroplasticity Part 1
INTRO: This episode is a conversation between two OTRs and two soon-to-be new grad OTs. The topic of conversation is neuroplasticity, but this discussion dives deep into more specific topics on stroke rehabilitation.
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Perspectives on Neuroplasticity Part 1 with Tracy Bentley Root, Morgan Wellenzohn, and Sarah DiMayo, we talked about:
- What is neuroplasticity?
- What does the phrase “practice makes progress” mean to each of us?
- What happens in the brain when changes occur? Building bridges!!
- Visual feedback and imagery
Neuroplasticity is a never ending phenomenon that has many avenues to explore. In a therapeutic mindset, one of the most important lessons to learn when recovering from a stroke is that practice makes progress! There are so many different ways to treat an injury resulting from a stroke including different therapeutic techniques and evidence-based practice. Tune into the second part of this podcast with Tracy, Sarah, and Morgan to learn about more evidence-based practice and techniques that have been experienced and researched.
LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION WE TALKED ABOUT:
Khan, F., Amatya, B., Galea, M.P., Gonzenbach, R., Kesselring, J. (2016). Neurorehabilitation: Applied neuroplasticity. Journal of Neurology. 1-13. Doi: 10.1007/s00415-016-8307-9.
Mobile Arm Supports: Evidence-based benefits and criteria for use
Reference to previous Noggins And Neurons episodes:
- Questions and Comments about the podcast:
- Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast using your PayPal app:
Donate to Noggins And Neurons and get an Allstar Pete Trading Card
LINKS TO:
- Pete's book
- Pete's blog
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT's Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
MUSIC
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Remembering Pete Part 2: Practice Gems with Doro & Lynette
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group
In this episode, I chat with Doro & Lynette from the Neuro Hub. Before he left, Pete told me he wanted them to step in where he left off…for sure those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Our conversation is all over the place, like old friends sitting around the table reminiscing about a loved friend and colleague. We discussed neuro gems we learned from Pete and implications for practice, carrying on his legacy and some of our fears. We had moments of laughter and somber pauses as well. We wound the conversation down with wisdom, trial and error and thinking outside the box…all within clinical reasoning, of course. Topics that came up:
- Lynette as a fan girl & why Pete was such a great teacher
- How Neuro Hub puts learning into practice
- Noggins And Neurons, kindred spirits and instant connections
- Brainstorming around honoring Pete’s legacy and bringing all the cool people together
- Don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good
- Pete as the silent observer who listened…he got it! Learning to listen with intent
- What would Pete say about trying new things…
- Use it and loose it to reduce spasticity
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways!
LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
- Questions and Comments about the podcast:
- Debra's Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy:
- The OT's Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Contact The Neuro Hub, Altamonte, FL
MUSIC “Soft Inspiration“ by Scott Holmes/ Scott Holmes Music
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Remembering Pete: PART 1
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
In this episode of Noggins And Neurons, we remember Pete. Here’s what you’ll hear. It’s a long one…
- How we got started and what Deb: Episode link
- The gift of connection – a gift that keeps on giving
- Podcast goal: Episode link
- The healing power of telling our stories. Check out this article , “The Healing Power of Telling Your Story,” by Lissa Rankin, MD
- Jennica Colvin from Trio Rehab & Wellness Solutions
- Episode link (Jennica & Suzanne Part 1)
- Episode link (Learned Non-Use)
- Pete’s friend, Todd
- Pete’s student, Alec
- Sarah, a Noggins & Neurons listener
- Episode link (Neuroplastic Beats Spastic)
- Episode link (Measuring Spasticity)
- Pete’s exit from this world
- Pete’s friend, Matt
- Pete’s friend Tom
- Gina, a Noggins & Neurons listener
- Official Noggins & Neurons Trading Cards: how it got started and how to get Pete’s Allstar card
- Ric Hudgens
- Stephen Heim
- Bill Monroe from Strokecast
- Pete’s song: The Glow
LINKS TO CHECK OUT
Pete Levine Allstar Trading Card
Intro Episode: Stroke and TBI Recovery Simplified
Trio Rehab & Wellness Solutions
The Healing Power of Telling Your Story by Lissa Rankin, MD
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART 1
Stronger After Stroke book
- where to place the pads for activating the wrist extensors and to lift up the foot
- e-stim
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 1
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 2
Pete’s interview with Bill on Strokecast
Bill from Strokecast remembers Pete
Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook group
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Healthcare Through a Legal Lens
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Deb talks with attorneys Kelly Barret Sarama and Rachel Baldassaro from the Center for Elder Law and Justice. This rich conversation covers:
- Medical legal partnerships and the benefits of having lawyers on healthcare teams
- Getting help while in the hospital or other care facilities through patient advocate and ombudsman services
- How the legal system can help in the areas of quantity and quality of care, getting providers paid and more.
- Navigating Medicare coverage and getting ambulance bills paid.
- Plateaus and baselines as they relate to person-centered care and service provision
- The importance of self-advocacy and the role of healthcare providers in this process, including good, solid documentation as part of advocacy
- Patient bill of rights and what to do if a person thinks their rights are violated while in a healthcare facility.
- Planning for the future: Unpacking advanced directives, health care proxy and other relevant legal terms and directives.
We hope you find this episode helpful!
LINKS TO OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Support Noggins And Neurons with Pete’s Allstar Trading Card
National Institute of Health (NIH) Patient Bill of Rights
Center for Elder Law and Justice Website
As always, we want to hear from you! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with PayPal:
- Add the note NEURONS under donation amount)
Pete’s blog and book Stronger After Stroke
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Saturday Feb 12, 2022
Clinical Confidence Through Clinical Competence Part 2
Saturday Feb 12, 2022
Saturday Feb 12, 2022
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Deb talks with occupational therapist, Andrea Reed about gaining clinical confidence through clinical competence. We discuss:
- Mentorship, learning environments and trying new things
- Overcoming negative cultures, self-confidence, doing your best and resiliency
- Reflective practice and the importance of inquisitiveness for optimal learning
- The pause…Andrea’s strategy for coping when receiving mixed signals, self-regulating and showing up with confidence
- Accountability, self-compassion and grace throughout the learning curve
- Taking our practice to the next level: using small groups for study, learning, and mastery (simple, accountability through own note taking)
- How small groups can be helpful when starting new practice ideas…To decrease feelings of fear and intimidation, getting encouragement while seeking feedback and moving forward
- Andrea’s adaptive equipment prototype – rehab, compensation and feeding independence for quality of life
- Andrea’s commitment to learning this year
LINKS TO OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Pre-Print All Star “Pete” Trading Card
- Evidence-Based Practice Profiles of Physiotherapists Transitioning into the Workforce: A study of two cohorts
- Transitioning From Occupational Therapy Student To Practicing Occupational Therapist: First Year of Employment (Abstract only)
- Enhancing Occupational Therapists’ Confidence and Professional Development Through a Community of Practice Scholars (Abstract only)
As always, we want to hear from you! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with PayPal:
Pete’s blog and book “Stronger After Stroke”
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Clinical Confidence Through Clinical Competence Part 1
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Deb talks with occupational therapist, Andrea Reed about gaining clinical confidence through clinical competence. We discuss:
- Learning by hosting a clinical student – what the experience is like from a clinician’s and FW Coordinator’s viewpoint - finding a good fit for site and student
- Role of the environment and workplace culture in facilitating or hindering growth
- How the Covid -19 pandemic changed clinical learning opportunities and experiences
- Selecting appropriate interventions with confidence
- The effects of time “management” on recovery, clinical performance, and outcomes
- Moving away from “shiny object syndrome” to focus on one thing and learning it well for clinical competence and client carryover
- Plateau thinking, breaking out of a rigid mindset, and bringing “home programs” to rehab for wise use of the other hours in rehab to set clients up for success.
- The service gap that occurs when people leave rehab
- Healing is a journey and recovery time varies for each person
- Moving towards a collaborative practice model and benefits of simplicity in practice
- Clinician inspiration, learning curves and bringing meaning into our practices
LINKS TO OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Pre-Print All Star “Pete” Trading Card
New York State Continuing Education Presentation
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
Transitioning From Occupational Therapy Student To Practicing Occupational Therapist: First Year of Employment (Abstract only)
Enhancing Occupational Therapists’ Confidence and Professional Development Through a Community of Practice Scholars (Abstract only)
As always, we want to hear from you! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with PayPal:
- Use the PayPal app (add the note NEURONS under donation amount)
Pete’s blog and book Stronger After Stroke
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Monday Jan 17, 2022
NOGGINS & NEURONS: How Lucky Am I?
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Deb updates listeners about current happenings and future plans. She:
- Shares upsetting news impacting all of us. Pete passed away on January 8, 2022 after a brief illness.
- Sends love and well wishes from Noggins & Neurons to Pete’s family, friends and colleagues
- Tell’s everyone that Pete wishes for the podcast to continue, that she assured him she will do all she can to move things forward and notifies the audience that plans for upcoming episodes are in in place
- Acknowledges the need for the Noggins & Neurons community to process and heal our own grief. Speaks to the healing power of stories and provides avenues for listeners to share their Pete stories with each other:
- Thanks the Noggins & Neurons community for bringing themselves to the world.
I send all of you much love and appreciation for supporting the podcast. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing this journey together.
As always, we want to hear from you! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
LINKS TO OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Remembering Pete
- Leave a Voice Message
- Email: NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com
- PLEASE NOTE: Any voice recording or email story you contribute may be used on future podcast episodes.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with PayPal:
- Use the PayPal app (appears as Creative Concepts OT - add the note NEURONS under donation amount)
Pete’s blog and book Stronger After Stroke
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Tech Talk with Doro & Lynette from The Neuro Hub
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Learn more about low, medium and high tech OT interventions used by The Neuro Hub in stroke recovery.
OVERVIEW
Doro: That was the neat thing. This one client that had this really big change did nothing else. She just did her little exercises at home…
Lynette: Right
Doro: But no therapy with us or in other facilities. Nothing.
Lynette: She did her basic home program, just to maintain what she already had what she had already been doing…umm…but yeah, it really made a huge impact for her.
Deb: Was this a home program that she already had received prior to coming to you?
Lynette: Yes. She had been doing this home program for a while. Even with us, when we doing OT with her prior to doing BCI, she was doing this home program.
Deb: Hmmm
Doro (Dorothee) Zuleger, OTR/L, CBIS, CSRS, DRS and Lynette Diaz, COTA/L, CSRS, from The Neuro Hub, Orlando/Altamonte Springs, FL join Noggins And Neurons for another enlightening conversation. In this episode we talk about:
- The Low Tech Interventions they use, including the Upper Extremity Ranger, Saebo Glove and paddle board
- The Neofect Suite and how incorporating gaming elicits meaning and competition to promote interest as a Medium level technology intervention
- The RecoverIx Brain-Computer Interface, a High tech intervention – Doro and Lynette cover everything, from how to set it up, get started and client requirements to outcomes; this is one way to get the required (high) number of reps per session
- Home programs are not recommended during BCI treatment
- Allowing clients to use the RecoverIx system when not recommended by the company – clinical reasoning and knowing when to push the boundaries
- Neuroplastic change and success for clients with severe impairments
- Spasticity reduction, inability to move, participate in Box and Blocks Test and low scores on the Fugl-Myer
- Business and clinical impact of introducing the BCI
- Therapy Intensives at The Neuro Hub, fundamentals for recovery and client results
We hope you find this episode useful and that it increases your understanding of technology in stroke recovery.
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Science Direct Brain Computer Interface
The Stroop Color and Word Test
Cho, W., Sabathiel, N., Ortner, R., Lechner, A., Irimia, D. C., Allison, B. Z., Edlinger, G., & Guger, C. (2016). Paired Associative Stimulation Using Brain-Computer Interfaces for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study. European journal of translational myology, 26(3), 6132. https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2016.6132
Kim, T., Kim, S., & Lee, B. (2016). Effects of Action Observational Training Plus Brain-Computer Interface-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation on Paretic Arm Motor Recovery in Patient with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Occupational therapy international, 23(1), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/oti.1403
Motor Imagery Practice and Cognitive Processes
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with Venmo or PayPal:
- Use your PayPal app - add the note NEURONS under donation amount
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Dec 24, 2021
New Grad Q’s & Seasoned Practitioner Insights
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Pete and Deb share their insights and opinions on new OT grad, Adrian's, questions and other topics.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association
Effect of task specific training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on stroke survivors
Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app
RESOURCES:
- Information about Pete’s blog and book, “Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery” 3rd edition:
- Blog: blogspot.com
- Book: Stronger After Stroke, 3rd edition
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
✨Google Podcasts ✨iTunes ✨Spotify
MUSIC:
“Soft Inspiration” by Scott Holmes/Scott Holmes Music/scottholmesmusic.com
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
Update: Noggins & Neurons Happenings
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
UPDATE TOPICS: Deb, Pete, the FACES App & what's next
Access the FACES Intervention App:
Apple - Search for FACES Intervention in the app store
Join the Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with Venmo or PayPal:
- Venmo @neurons
- Use the PayPal app (appears as Creative Concepts OT - add the note NEURONS under donation amount)
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD: Surviving & Recovering p̄ SCI, CVA, TBI
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
Saturday Dec 11, 2021
Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD: Surviving & Recovering p̄ SCI, CVA, TBI
Noggins & Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW:
Dr. Berk: So, I think devices offer a really improved approach to neurologic problems and they don’t need to be taken every day like a pill, so compliance is 100% and up until now we really haven’t had many devices in the field. But I think going forward we will…
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete talks with Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD. About his experience professional and personal experiences. They cover many topics, including:
- Dr. Berk’s book, “Getting Your Brain and Body Back: Everything You Need to Know after Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, or Traumatic Brain Injury,” enlightenment and sins that writers commit.
- Depression and anxiety following acute neurological injury, behavior, and insight.
- Rehab and recovery and what the literature tells us about best treatments. Limitations, straightforward questions and finding answers.
- Research is clunky, people’s perceptions cause conflicts and the importance of having a solid clinical practice.
- Everyone receives V.I.P. care at the hospital Dr. Berk was a patient at. Clinician insecurities show up when taking care of people with credentials.
- The Neuro Restoration Institute focuses on restoring function and neuroplasticity for recovery. Using energy wisely and prioritizing recovery to optimize function.
- Standing, walking, body functions, spinal cord pathways and complete vs incomplete spinal cord injuries.
- Central Pattern Generators can be used to aid in recovery.
- The role of medical devices in healthcare.
- Berk’s lived experience and how it shapes his medical practice. Patient/family centered care – the importance of attention, compassion and interpersonal relationships for recovery!
- Progressive neurodegenerative diseases, research and hope as good medicine.
- Physiology, depression, psychological states, being able to interpret body sensations and helping people who struggle with interoception.
- The future of recovery - devices, smart devices, electronics and adapting for success.
Whoever you are and whatever your place in life, we hope you find this interesting conversation beneficial!
Dr. Bradford C Berk's book: Getting Your Brain and Body Back: Everything You Need to Know after Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, or Traumatic Brain Injury
Dr. Berk's...
- Facebook page
- Website
- Dr. Berk's lab University of Rochester Neurorestoration Institute (URNI)
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with PayPal:
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
- Debra's Resources
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 2
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 2
Noggins & Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW:
Stephen: Even as simple as cracking an egg, I cannot do it one handed, I can’t do it 2-handed any more…so, I got on Amazon and if you put in 1-handed, a whole list of items comes up and I got an egg cracker that I can put the egg in and crack it with one hand. It’s a device, a lot of people, including some very close to me have said, ‘Oh that’s just lazy.’ Like I just say, google home so I can control my lights and or set an alarm with just using my voice and you know, I hear ‘Oh get up and turn your lights off or turn your light off…’ Well that is not easy for me to do and I’m not being lazy, I’m being efficient and that is how I have structured everything from the bathroom, from driving…efficiency.
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb continue our conversation with physical therapists Jennifer Millar and Meredith Drake from Johns Hopkins Ataxia Center in Baltimore, MD, and cerebellar stroke survivor Stephen Heim. We learn more:
- Balance Weighted Torso Training – which uses a weighted vest to improve balance. While Stephen doesn’t think it’s a miracle cure, he did feel more stable with the vest on. Jennifer and Meredith explain it in more detail, also reminding us that limb weights are not effective in treating ataxia. Motiontherapeutics.com
- Dysmetria, driving, vehicle modifications and driving rehab – Stephen describes his compensatory strategies for safe driving. The more he drives, the better he gets. Stephen reports he is able to listen to music and podcasts while he drives but he is not able to talk. Texas work force division assists with payment for some vehicle modifications.
- Challenges with executive functions following stroke, despite testing showing no deficits. Stephen describes his real-world experience with cognitive functions and strategies he uses to compensate and make it successfully through the days.
- Basic home tips and tricks are available on the ataxia.org website for a treasure trove of energy conservation techniques for people with ataxia. Using one-handed items and voice activation devices to conserve energy, stay safe and give oneself the space to progress towards other life goals following stroke – it’s not laziness and we need to stop telling people they’re lazy when in fact, they’re open minded towards creating a better life for themselves.
- Cognition tends to still be missed, is perhaps incorrectly assessed, and remains under addressed following stroke! This includes gait speed. Community level gait speed within clinic testing but wearable tracking devices show significantly slower gait speeds once people leave therapy and clinical inability to accurately capture real-world cognitive functioning. Loss of automaticity has a negative impact on ease of function.
- Practice vs compensation for people who’ve experienced a cerebellar stroke compared with those who have a neurodegenerative disease.
- Exercise programs, adaptive training at a local gym, using a pool to improve ambulation and locating a neuro therapy practice to establish a safe home exercise program, making a lifetime commitment to oneself and tracking progress.
- The importance of a debrief for increasing life success following stroke. Know yourself and know your limits – take the time you need and don’t be afraid to adapt the way you do things.
We hope you find value in Part 2 of our engaging conversation!
- A copy of last year’s annual meeting lectures may be found on the National Ataxia Foundation website including “Mobility and Exercise: Strategies to keep moving while sheltering in place”, as well as other lectures including home safety considerations, adaptive recreation, living and coping with ataxia. There is a treasure trove of information and resources within these lectures.
- BalanceWear a Weighted Vest for Ataxia
- One-handed products
- Ataxia Foundation's support group network
- Weighted Vest for Ataxia
- The Ataxian Movie | Life Is About How We React
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
-
-
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
-
MUSIC:
“Soft Inspiration” by Scott Holmes/Scott Holmes Music/scottholmesmusic.com
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 1
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Heim, Drake, & Millar: Cerebellar Ataxia, PART 1
Noggins & Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW:
Meredith: The brain stimulation program that we’re doing at Hopkins is we’re applying transcranial direct current stimulation to people who’ve had multiple types of brain injuries. The most common population that we see are strokes. The concept of this non-invasive brain stimulation is that it promotes neuroplasticity and so we combine it with intensive therapies. You come every day for 3 weeks and we’re trying to do this really intensive therapy plus the non-invasive brain stimulation so we’re hoping it’s like a double whammy of neuroplasticity and that we’re really trying to get the brain to get excited…excite those cortical tissues and get them to start re-organizing and healing themselves.
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk with physical therapists Jennifer Millar and Meredith Drake from Johns Hopkins Ataxia Center in Baltimore, MD, and cerebellar stroke survivor Stephen Heim. We uncovered the following:
- Cerebellum is latin for “little brain.” It coordinates coordination. The cerebellum is where movement coordination and motor learning mostly occurs. The role of the cerebellum is to predict and smooth out our movements in response to sensory stimuli. It is a complicated structure.
- An impaired cerebellum is very debilitating to the body. Damage impacts motor learning and motor planning, which means traditional therapy is ineffective.
- The cerebellum works ipsilaterally with the other brain structures to produce movement.
- Dual task engagement is not effective for people with cerebellar damage. Using a new device such as a rolling walker adds another aspect to a task. Walking and talking should not occur together.
- Parkinson’s treatment principles do not merge well with interventions to treat cerebellar ataxia.
- Therapy for cerebellar ataxa focuses on balance, dynamic challenges and weight shifting rather than strength training. Most people with cerebellar ataxia have good strength. Practice and repetition are key for recovery. Tai Chi, yoga and swimming are effective interventions for ataxia.
- Dysmetria is a challenge for Stephen, whether he under shoots or overcorrects – he still has trouble. He finds it annoying despite knowing the challenge exists. He uses a wheelchair for mobility and finds this conserves energy.
- We learned compensatory strategies and devices that may help with dysmetria and ambulation when ataxia is present.
- The origin of the Johns Hopkins Ataxia center and services provided. The brain stimulation program promotes neuroplasticity with intensive therapy…It doesn’t cure but does advance outcomes beyond those that occur without using brain stimulation as an intervention.
We hope you find value in Part 1 of our conversation!
- LifeGlider Hands-free, upright, "fall-safe" mobility.
- National Ataxia Foundation
- OT Strategies for Improving Daily Living Independence
- Educational webinars about Ataxia
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app:
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART III
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART III
Noggins & Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk with Jennica Colvin and Suzanne McCrum from Trio Rehabilitation in Texas. We learned about private clinic ownership and more. Topics we covered include:
- Jennica encourages listeners to follow their dreams
- Brain primers, intervention, affordable interventions and getting started with home programs to facilitate success
- Re-establishing brain control over the flexors, stress balls and stretching
- Using the right questions and proper education to clients and caregivers
- Slings, cost, subluxation, learned non-use, pain and balance
- Subluxation, e-stim, markers and videos
- Sleep after stroke, home assessments and intervention
- Paying attention to prevent falls and learning floor transfers
- Using video recording to facilitate physical & cognitive rehab
- The role of music in aphasia recovery
- Vestibular rehab, stroke and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
We cover a lot of ground across 3 episodes with Jennica and Suzanne. We hope you find value in our conversation!
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (website)
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (Facebook Page)
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app:
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
-
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
MUSIC:
“Soft Inspiration” by Scott Holmes/Scott Holmes Music/scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART II
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART II
Noggins & Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk with Jennica Colvin and Suzanne McCrum from Trio Rehabilitation in Texas. We learned about private clinic ownership and more. Topics we covered include:
- How Suzanne uses treadmill training following stroke
- Practitioner opinions on using the terms good limb and bad limb
- Addressing depression following stroke, awareness, and rapport as part of a recovery plan
- Expectations, goal setting, programs that support client success and outcomes
- Hiring good people, gut instincts and getting out of their way
- Constraint Induced Therapy for the lower extremity and equipment cost
- Guns, guitars and valued activities into motor practice and vision recovery
- Efficiency for successful practice
- Making the switch from paper to electronics for record keeping
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (website)
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (Facebook Page)
The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins & Neurons Podcast with Venmo or PayPal:
- Venmo @neurons
- Use the PayPal app (appears as Creative Concepts OT - add the note NEURONS under donation amount)
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART I
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Monday Oct 25, 2021
Jennica & Suzanne from Trio Rehab: PART I
Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW: Pete, Deb, Jennica and Suzanne get to know each other
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk with Jennica Colvin and Suzanne McCrum from Trio Rehabilitation in Texas. We learned about private clinic ownership and more. Topics we covered include:
- The evolution of Trio Rehab
- Reasons for starting a private practice and why people want to work in a private practice clinic
- 1:1 treatment model, meeting people where they are, eclectic interventions and recovery
- Seasoned therapists, learning and mentorship for practitioner growth
- How having children promotes practitioner development
- Trial and error and willingness to try for client success
- Learning, motor learning and practice to make progress
- Stroke, cognition, client & family interviews, assessments, fatigue and intervention
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (website)
Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions (Facebook Page)
Canadian Occupational Performance Model (COPM)
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app:
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Jus‘ a lil‘ bit o‘ Everything
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Jus' a lil' bit o' Everything
Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW: Pete and Deb chat about Pete’s Blog, music and brain recovery
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk about Pete’s Blog, Facebook groups, and
- Listening to music can help with aphasia
- The challenges of the unknown for survivors, families and care providers immediately following traumatic brain injury
- Facebook groups that clinicians, survivors and caregivers might find helpful
- Unlearning as part of practitioner growth to create space updated practice evidence and tapping into students for learning, creating and setting up new programs
- Explicit communication from family and friends and the challenges that come along with learning better ways to communicate
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Vocal Music Listening Helps Recover Language
Noggins & Neurons
approved Facebook groups
- Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group :)
- Nurses Raw And Uncensored
- Traumatic or acquired brain injury support group
- Traumatic brain injury healthy alternatives
- Trauma informed occupational therapist
- Young stroke survivors global network
- Young Stroke Survivors
- NeuroOT
- NeuroCollaborative Professionals
- Neuro-Specialized Physical Therapy
- Geriatric OT, PT, and SLP
- Physical Therapist Assistant Professionals
- The Stroke Channel TV
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app:
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
-
-
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
Music by scottholmesmusic.com
-
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Emotions After Brain Injury: The Recap
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Emotions After Brain Injury: The Recap
Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW: Pete and Deb chit chat
EPISODE SUMMARY: In this episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified, Pete and Deb talk about what we learned about from Drs. Zupan and Neumann. We covered:
- The new FACES app release information and understanding who should use the app, which is recommended for academic & clinical use. This bothers Pete and Deb sheds a little light on the need for some training. All is not lost!
- Several quotes from the podcast:
- Dr. Zupan talking about initial recovery experiences following brain injury, missing the opportunity to notice and address deficits in emotions, subsequent problems that appear and the need for a better discharge plan
- Cognition, emotions, prioritizing intervention, lack of physician knowledge around TBI symptoms, and the need for a better system in the U. S. at least
- Inability or difficulty identifying emotions, physiological responses and learning to identify emotions following brain injury
- Facial recognition training, facial expression software, micro-expressions and watching movies
- Addressing the higher level cognitive/emotion skills at the onset of brain injury as a means of lower-level skills healing
- Negative attribution when assessing the emotions of others, family dynamics and stress around meeting the needs of all
In two previous episodes Emotion Perception After TBI/Stroke w/ Drs. Zupan & Neumann announced to the world on our show that they'll have a new free app out soon to help folks conquer Alexithymia. Here is some more info on that app:
The FACES app is an App version of the facial affect recognition intervention that we tested and has the highest strongest level of evidence for treating facial affect recognition deficits after TBI. I think we talked about it on your program, but if you think it would help, you could include some version of the below info. That said, anyone will be able to download the app, it’s just not intended to be self-delivered. Hope this helps!
The FACES App:
- What is it?: It is a therapeutic program consists of exercises intended to help teach individuals who have problems with emotion perception to better recognize others’ emotions--- to be able to identify and relate to happy, sad, angry, and fearful facial expressions in others. This is an evidence-based approach (Neumann et al, 2015) and has been deemed a practice standard (Cicerone et al 2019) for treating emotion perception deficits in individuals with neurological disorders.
Neumann, D., Babbage, D., Zupan, B. and Willer, B. (2015). A Randomized controlled trial of emotion recognition training after traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 30 (3): E12-E23 May/ June 2015 doi:10.3109/02699052.2014.901560
Cicerone, K. D., Goldin, Y., Ganci, K., Rosenbaum, A., Wethe, J. V., Langenbahn, D. M., Malec, J. F., Bergquist, T. F., Kingsley, K., & Nagele, D. (2019). Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: systematic review of the literature from 2009 through 2014. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 100(8), 1515-1533.
- Who is it for?: Clinicians treating individuals with neurological disorders who have emotion perception deficits
- Intended Delivery Method: This intervention was created as a clinical tool for therapists and healthcare professionals to use as a resource when treating patients who have emotion perception problems. It is not intended for patients to use on their own or to be delivered by a care-partner or family member, as that approach has not been tested or validated by research.
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
MUSIC:
“Soft Inspiration” by Scott Holmes/Scott Holmes Music/scottholmesmusic.com
- Music by scottholmesmusic.com
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Emotion Perception After TBI/Stroke w/ Drs. Zupan & Neumann PART 2
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Emotion Perception After TBI/Stroke w/ Drs. Zupan & Neumann PART 2
Noggins And Neurons Facebook Group: CLICK HERE or scan below!
OVERVIEW
- ZUPAN: I think as therapists if you’re really looking for something tangible to use just grab a movie or a tv show and, you know, stop and pause at various scenes. I think that would be a really useful task that you could get that more, I always say ecologically valid, but that more everyday way, I mean, it’s still acting but it’s a better example of how we use and express emotion and the way we need to use all of the cues that are around us to interpret not just one thing. So I think that’s a really good thing that therapists could look to do.
EPISODE SUMMARY: This episode of NOGGINS & NEURONS: Brain Injury Recovery Simplified continues the conversation with Dawn and Barb. Here’s some of what we covered…
- What we did during our recording break – yes! We take a break, even when we have guests on the show…
- Speech therapy schools Pete’s daughter can investigate
- Emotional inappropriateness as emotional difficulty and the misperception that it’s a cognitive problem. Alexithymia is as aspect of emotion regulation, emotional processing that requires cognition – awareness, evaluation and understanding of emotions that helps to regulate them.
- Cognitive & emotional empathy, recognizing emotionally neutrality and negative attribution bias
- Eye tracking and facial recognition
- The value of authentic peer feedback over that of therapists who wear their professional hats and learning to receiving negative and positive feedback
- Autism research and crossover to brain injury recovery strategies
- Lack of feeling ability following brain injury and the impact of training on relationships
- Survivor misdiagnosis of mental illness by physicians who don’t understand brain injury
- Look at social emotional communication when survivors feel like something is wrong and are unable to get a diagnosis
- Correlation of alexithymia and substance use
- Logic + reason + emotion for optimal decision making
- Decreased smell, the prefrontal cortex and the connection to empathy and social monitoring
We hope you found value in part 2 of our conversation about emotion regulation with Drs. Zupan and Neumann.
As always, we want to hear your top takeaways! Please email us at NogginsAndNeurons@gmail.com.
LINKS TO ARTICLES, BOOKS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Obex Technologies are a UK software team working with Dr Dawn Neumann and her colleagues to develop a mobile version of the original Facial Affect Recognition intervention, which will be named FACES in the App stores. FACES is scheduled for public release in App stores late 2021, where it will be free to download for clinical and academic use.
Facial Affect Recognition Task
Questions and Comments about the podcast?
Donate to The Noggins And Neurons Podcast with your PayPal app
Pete’s blog, book, Stronger After Stroke, and talks.
Deb's OT Resources:
- Deb's OT resources
- The OT’s Guide to Mirror Therapy
- Tri-Fold Mirror (US address only)
- Occupational Therapy Intervention: Scavenger Hunt Visual Scanning for Adults
REQUEST TO BE A GUEST ON NOGGINS & NEURONS. If you’re passionate about stroke recovery and have information or a story you believe will help others, we’d love help you share it on the show. Complete the guest request form below and let’s see if we’re a good fit! Guest Request Form
MUSIC:
“Soft Inspiration” by Scott Holmes/Scott Holmes Music/scottholmesmusic.com