Sparking Pediatric Change: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

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This 1-day lecture, followed by a 2-day lab course teaches how to apply and use functional electrical stimulation (FES) as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, other recommended interventions to manage the problems of decreased functional strength, ROM, and balance in children with neurological dysfunction.

Immediate within sessions results, as well as long-term results, will be shown using videos of actual patients treated using FES. The speaker will show case presentation of children with different forms of Cerebral Palsy (uniplegia, biplegia, quadriplegia, ataxic, and dystonic) from Levels I to V, with emphasis on participation in daily life, as well as parent and child satisfaction with results.

Objective progress will be shown through changes in GMFCS levels, SCALE score changes and Peds Quality of Life Survey. Participants will learn recommended pediatric electrical stimulation equipment to be able to use immediately in their practice upon completion of the lab. Participants with be introduced to the effects in ongoing current research in using Transcutaneous Spinal Cord (TSN) Stimulation, so they will have novice level knowledge about how this new intervention works and how to determine the best scientifically and evidence-based approaches when reading the literature.

Target Audience: PT’s and OT’s who are interested in learning more about electrical stimulation application for improvement of motor function in children with neurological dysfunction.

Registration Fee: Includes the conference, continental breakfast, and afternoon refreshments. Space is limited– early registration is encouraged.

Lodging: A special rate at The Hyatt Place Lombard (2340 South Fountain Square Drive in Lombard, IL) is available if you mention that you are taking a course at Easterseals.
P: 630.932.6501

Special Accommodations: Please notify us of any special accommodations you may have by contacting us at 630.261.6191.

About the Instructor:

Dr. Susan Hastings, PT, DPT, PCS is a Board-Certified Pediatric Certified Specialist, who graduated from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) in 2010, with a DPT, specializing in Pediatrics. In 2019, she began a novel collaboration with Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton and Dr. Parag Gad from the Edgerton Research Lab at UCLA to study transcutaneous neuromodulation in children with CP. After co-authoring 3 research papers on spinal neuromodulation with Drs. Edgerton and Gad in collaboration with SpineX, and preparing for Phase 2 trials for the SpineX device, Dr. Hastings is now assisting Dr. Edgerton and Dr. Charles Liu in expanding Dr. Edgerton’s lifetime work in studying spinal cord neuromodulation at the Impossible to Possible CP Lab at Rancho Research Institute, with an emphasis on exploring comprehensive effects on sensory motor impairments in children with CP.

Course Credits:

Continuing education credits for O.T./ P.T. will be offered through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Early Intervention credits have been requested for day one and for day 2-3, with a combined 23.25 contact hours for the full course.

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful completion of the conference. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

*Please note day 1 is a pre-requisite for days 2-3. Day 1 can be taken as as stand alone course.

Day 1: 7.5

Day 2 & 3: 15.50 (8 & 7.50)

Total: 23

AOTA: 2.3 CEUs

AOTA Course Credits for Day 1, Day 2-3, & Full Course Below

Program Schedule

Day 1-Lecture

8:00- Introductions: Discussion on participants experience using electrical stimulation. Are you getting what you want?

8:30- About Spasticity-definition and contrary views, target motor control

9:00- How do we currently treat spasticity? Look at updated outcomes in the literature: surgery, BTX, Baclofen, SDR

10:15- Break

10:30- Can Motor Patterns Be Changed? What the Literature Tells Us About Muscle Synergies, Myofascial Force Transmissions, and Myelination, Alignment

11:15- Using Electrical Stimulation for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Research, Equipment, Settings for Children vs. Adults, Who Would Benefit (Indications), Contraindications

12:30- Lunch

1:30- Case Presentations Part 1: Using FES, NMES to Augment Traditional Treatment

3:00- Break

3:15- Case Presentations: Part 2 Specific Applications and Considerations

4:15- Let’s talk about why to treat the adductors

4:45- Considerations in Using FES followed by discussion and questions

5:00- Adjourn

LAB Day 1 for Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapists

8:00- Introduction to NMES Parameters and FES/Terms/Settings in pediatrics, why use switch and multiple units, choosing equipment

9:15- Walk Aide and Wearable’s-Literature, WBV to augment treatment

9:30- Break 15 minutes-change into lab clothes for rest of day

9:45-LAB I: Setting the Unit and Testing Adult and Pediatric Parameters (especially amplitude) on Therapists (Teams of 2, preferably with 2 units)

11:45- Lunch 60 minutes

12:45- LAB II using syllabus- Specific Settings and Electrode Placement/Combinations for Trunk, latissimus, gluteus maximus, lumbar extensors

1:45- Break 15 minutes

2:00- LAB III using syllabus-Specific Settings and Electrode

Placement/Combinations for the Arm/Hand (combine with trunk)

3:00- LAB III using syllabus: Specific Settings and Electrode Placement/Combinations for Lower Extremity, including Foot Functional Electrical Stimulation (FFES) (demonstration), Gastrocnemius, Adductors, Hamstrings Gluteus Medius, Quadriceps

4:30- Growth Consideration for Outcomes, discussion and questions

5:00- Adjourn

LAB Day 2: Pediatric Patient Treatment LABS for Physical and Occupational Therapists

8:00- Treatment Planning Session for Children-receive assigned patient goals and target during treatment with instructor’s assistance

8:30- GMFCS Levels I-III Treatment LAB in teams of 2: Children with Cerebral Palsy using NMES, FES on combinations presented in Lab Day 1.

10:00- Break 15 minutes

10:15- Videos of Treatment Sessions Before and After presented to entire group,vfollowed by group discussion

11:15- Lunch 1 hour

12:15- Any Level UE Treatment LAB in teams of 2: Children with Cerebral Palsy GMFCS using NMES, FES on combinations presented in Lab Day 1.

1:30- Videos of Treatment Sessions Before and After presented to entire group, followed by group discussion

2:30- Break 15 minutes

2:45- Levels IV-V Treatment LAB in teams of 2: Children with Cerebral Palsy using NMES, FES on combinations presented in Lab Day 1

4:00- Videos of Treatment Sessions Before and After presented to entire group, followed by group discussion

5:00- Treatment Planning and Tips for Success- Discussion and questions

5:30- Adjourn