Mirror Therapy Experiential Lab

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Debra Battistella, MS, OTR/L Related seminars and products

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Debra Battistella, MS, OTR/L, has over 22 years of experience working with the adult & older adult populations in physical medicine rehab. Most of her career she worked in a certified stroke center where she participated in the development of several programs, including a modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy program and a critical care Early Mobility Protocol.

She has taught to her area of expertise and coordinator fieldwork for occupational therapy assistant students at the community college level. While there, Debra worked with Level II Field work students and the Student Access Center to develop & provide campus-based OT services at the group and population levels.

Debra is owner of Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy PLLC, where she supports physical medicine occupational therapy practitioners with online trainings and programs. She also provides occupational therapy serves to those in need at Tampa General Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Debra Battistella is the owner of Creative Concepts in Occupational Therapy and has an employment relationship with HCA South Shore Hospital. She is the co-host of Noggins and Neurons Brain Injury Recovery Simplified Podcast. Debra Battistella receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Debra Battistella is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Dorothee Zuleger, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS, CSRS, CDRS Related seminars and products

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Dorothee Zuleger, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS, CSRS, CDRS, and founder of The Neuro Hub is a skilled occupational therapist in central Florida. A graduate of Advent Health University, Doro provides her passion and over 10 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation through a client-centered, evidence-based treatment approach.

Doro’s main focus at The Neuro Hub is providing specialty high- and low-tech programs for stroke survivors. These high intensity programs include Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT, CIT) and Brain Computer Interface (BCI). BCI insists on correct brain area activation through visual imagery, which then provides immediate feedback through activation of an external robotic device.
She holds multiple specialty certifications that include Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS) and Certified Driving Rehab Specialist (CDRS).

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dorothee Zuleger has an employment relationship with The Neuro Hub Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dorothee Zuleger has no relevant non-financial relationships.

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Objectives

1. Identify and explain the key neuroscientific principles, including neuroplasticity and mirror neurons, that underpin the efficacy of mirror therapy in neurological rehabilitation.
2. Describe how mirror therapy facilitates motor and sensory recovery in patients with neurological conditions, and determine the psychological and physiological benefits it offers.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in setting up a mirror therapy session, including proper positioning of mirrors, seating arrangements, and therapist-client interactions, for effective treatment implementation.
4. Analyze and reflect upon the challenges and emotional experiences encountered by patients and clinicians through role play activities with the mirror.
5. Develop personalized mirror therapy treatment plans for different neurological conditions, considering patient specific goals and expected outcomes.
6. Assess and critically review potential barriers in mirror therapy implementation, propose effective strategies to address patient and practitioner resistance or discomfort to ensure administration.

Outline

The Science of Mirror Therapy

• Brain anatomy & function
• Mechanisms of neuroplasticity
• Investigate mirror therapy research, its effects on the brain & functional results
• Potential outcomes for practitioners, clients & your profession as a whole

Mirror Therapy Protocol

• Screen for appropriateness
• Discuss baseline assessments
• Introduction to mirror therapy kit
• Step-by-step set up
• Safety protocols and precautions to ensure optimal patient care
• Best practices for positioning mirrors, seating and therapist-client interaction

Experiential Lab I: Design Goal-Oriented Treatment Sessions

• Intervention protocol (clinician & client empowerment)
• Strategies to increase patient engagement and promote follow through
• Identify & practice activities that appear realistic in front of the mirror
• Guided mirror therapy exercises with real-time feedback from facilitators
• Writing effective goals

Power Hour: Brainstorm to Increase Compassion & Tackle Challenges

• Group discussion on the participants’ experiences as “patients”
• Identify & reflect on the challenges, emotions, and insights gained during the exercises
• Understand the importance of going beyond empathy and bringing compassion to practice for effective therapy
• Recognize & overcome potential barriers in mirror therapy implementation
• Strategies to address practitioner and/or patient resistance or discomfort & support carryover

Experiential Lab II: Clinical Reasoning

• Tailor to different conditions (e.g., stroke, amputation, CRPS)
• Identify patient-specific goals and outcomes for each condition
• Case studies featuring diverse patient profiles
• Hands-on practice using case study scenarios to adapt mirror therapy activities that meet individual needs
• Discuss case study results to design personalized mirror therapy plans
• Billing and reimbursement

Target Audience

• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapist Assistants