Upper & Lower Extremity & Trunk Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation [In-Person]

Approach

Participants will learn the scientific basis, hands-on skills, and clinical decision-making for performing neuromuscular electrical stimulation with the Lower extremities and trunk. This course includes 2.5 days at a clinical site. This course combines didactic teaching and practical skills development with hands-on treatment of individuals with neurologic dysfunction.

Target Audience: Novice and intermediate-level course open to physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, and rehab technicians.

Prerequisites:

• Introduction to Activity-Based Therapy
• Adult Neuromuscular Recovery Scale
• Introduction to Lower Extremity and Trunk Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Objectives

1. Palpate appropriate anatomical landmarks to determine electrode size and placement for targeted muscle based on patient, client, and participant presentation.
2. Determine the degree of electrode integrity to maintain patient, client, and participant safety during neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
3. Modify electrode size and placement to promote appropriate kinematics and optimize neuromuscular recruitment during NRS task completion.
4. Discuss clinical decision-making for utilization of NMES and establishment of NMES parameters to achieve optimal neuromuscular activation.
5. Identify the 3 lagging items on the Neuromuscular Recovery Scale and appropriately select the muscles to be stimulated based on degree of neuromuscular activity.
6. Understand the primary movement goal of each task and incorporate activity-based interventions during overground assessment and community integration.