The Neuro Power Hour

In this episode, Dr. Michael Powers outlines key considerations for assessing and treating balance. He discusses the importance of considering contributions to balance from the individual, the environment, and the balance task including differences between various dimensions of balance. He differentiates normal age-related changes from balance dysfunction, and encourages clinicians to NOT accept balance dysfunction as part of the normal aging process. Your ability to effectively assess and treat balance will be enhanced after listening to this episode!Show References Motor Control, 6th edition Changes in Sensory Organization Test Scores with Age Motor Unit Number Estimates in Masters Runners: Use it or Lose it? Muscle Changes in Aging Heavy Strength Training in Older Adults Resistance Training for Older Adults: Position Statement From the National Strength and Conditioning AssociationAll music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by Ketsa

In this episode, Dr. Michael Powers highlights the importance of extending our thinking beyond biological and anatomical processes. Outcomes for patients with neurological conditions are NOT dependent solely upon medical diagnosis, rather, human elements such as psychology and social connections have an outsized impact on patient recovery and quality of life. Expand your neuro toolkit by learning how to optimize your therapeutic alliance in this episode!References Biopsychosocial Model 25 Year Later A Revitalized Biopsychosocial Model Healthy People 2030 Role of Biopsychosocial Factors In Stroke Rehab Status Syndrome: A Challenge to Medicine Social Determinants of Health: If You Aren't Measuring Them, You Aren't Seeing the Big Picture Social Determinants of Health and Delivery of Rehab to Older Adults During ICU Hospitalization Fatigue And Fatigability In Neurologic Illnesses Post-Stroke QoL, Stroke Severity, and Function Post-Stroke QoL QoL Changes Post-Stroke by Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors QoL In Patients with Spinal Cord Injury QoL In People with Spinal Cord Injury Response Shifts 1 to 5 Years Postinjury QoL In Patients with Multiple Sclerosis QoL In Parkinson's Disease Disability In the Labor Market: Employment and Participation The Economic Argument For Hiring People With DisabilitiesAll music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by KetsaContact: [email protected]

Dr. Kirsten Potter joins the podcast to talk about outcome measures! She discusses her experiences with outcome measures, from witnessing initial clinician resistance toward leading the charge as a change agent through her work in developing the core set of outcome measures and her role as MS Edge Chair. Dr. Potter and Dr. Powers highlight the evolution of evidence-based practice and data within neurologic physical therapy, including how the use of the core set measures leads to improved clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. After this episode, you will have added the core set measures into your toolkit while also appreciating the tremendous work (past and present!) being done to supply clinicians with the best available evidence in neurologic physical therapy!References and Took Kit ANPT Core Set of Outcome Measures: https://www.neuropt.org/practice-resources/anpt-clinical-practice-guidelines/core-outcome-measure-cpg Core Set of Outcome Measures Clinical Practice Guideline: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6023606/ Self-Report Measures of Fatigue for People with Multiple Sclerosis - A Systematic Review: https://journals.lww.com/jnpt/fulltext/2024/01000/self_report_measures_of_fatigue_for_people_with.2.aspx Modified Fatigue Impact Scale: https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/modified-fatigue-impact-scale Fatigue Severity Scale: https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/fatigue-severity-scaleAll music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by KetsaContact Dr. Powers Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-powers-pt-dpt-edd/Contact Dr. Potter:  Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenpotter/

In this bonus episode, Dr. Michael Powers peels back the curtain on electrodiagnostic testing. If you've ever wondered what electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are and how they can help guide clinical decision-making and prognosis, then this episode is for you! After this episode, you will understand how an intentional and well-guided clinical exam can approximate much of the information obtained during EMG and NCS.All music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by KetsaContact: [email protected]

In this episode, Dr. Michael Powers examines gait through the lens of functional tasks throughout the gait cycle and the impact of ground reaction forces on kinetic demands during ambulation. After this episode, you will understand the WHY of what we observe during gait analysis, including why patients ALWAYS lean toward the area of weakness and/or pain when they are walking!All music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by KetsaContact: [email protected] 

In this episode, Dr. Michael Powers dives into motor learning. He highlights the differences between declarative and procedural learning, including the importance of retrieval practice for declarative learning. He discusses motor learning theories not as abstract concepts, but as tools for clinicians to utilize in establishing evidence-based practice approaches to optimize patient outcomes. Expect multiple clinical pearls you can immediately apply in clinical practice!Show References Uncommon sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, and Terrence Sejowski The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in Harmony With Your Brain by Terry Doyle, Todd Zakrajsek, and Kathleen Gabriel Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice by Anne Shumway Cook, Marjorie Woollacott, Jaya Rachwani, and Victor Santamaria Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning: The OPTIMAL Theory of Motor Learning by Gabriele Wulf and Rebecca LewthwaiteAll music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license. Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBM Transitional: Our Reality by Ketsa

In this episode, Dr. Michael Powers discusses movement, from development of movement through the evolution of motor control theories. He highlights how Dynamic Systems Theory reflects our best current understanding of movement, and how this theory can be incorporated into physical therapy clinical practice by considering how movement is shaped by the interaction between the individual, the task, and the environment.All music courtesy of Free Music Archive and used via attribution 4.0 international license.Intro and Outro: Stylin' by JMHBMTransitional: Our Reality by Ketsa