Neuro Navigators: A Medbridge Podcast

Dana Aravich joins host J.J. Mowder-Tinney for a deep dive into one of rehab’s most perplexing challenges: spatial neglect. Drawing on her clinical experience and research, Dana and J.J. unpack how this complex attention disorder impacts function and why it’s so often mistaken for a visual field deficit. Together, they explore practical, evidence-informed strategies for assessment, intervention planning, and team-based decision-making. Whether you're confident or still uncertain in managing neglect, this episode offers new ways to think about what truly guides your approach.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around the complexity and clinical implications of spatial neglect in individuals recovering from stroke and brain injuryApply evidence-based, practical, and actionable strategies to address the identification, evaluation, and tailored intervention planning for clients experiencing spatial neglectSolve patient case scenarios involving differential diagnosis and intervention planning for spatial neglect versus visual field deficits, incorporating contextual factors such as driving safety and functional independenceTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction(00:02:44) Understanding spatial neglect(00:04:36) Types of neglect(00:09:43) Evaluation challenges(00:10:40) Evidence-based assessment tools(00:15:40) The 292 assessment tools problem(00:22:21) Treatment complexity(00:24:30) Treatment strategies and research(00:26:25) Prism therapy and vision considerations(00:31:03) Screening and differential diagnosis(00:37:30) Observational insights and self-awareness(00:41:35) Self-reflection and chronic stages(00:44:32) Severe cases and poor arousal(00:47:48) Meaningful motivation(00:49:27) Family education and involvement(00:51:49) Key takeaways(00:52:55) Closing remarksNeuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/

Dr. Alison McKenzie, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, a leading voice in neurorehabilitation and creator of Stroke Boot Camp, joins host J.J. Mowder-Tinney to explore how we can extend meaningful progress for people living with chronic stroke. Together, Alison and J.J. dive into the clinical reasoning, research, and real-world outcomes behind this high-intensity, interdisciplinary model. You’ll hear practical ideas to apply in your own setting, whether that’s a full boot camp or small-scale changes that shift the trajectory for your patients. Tune in to reimagine what’s possible beyond traditional rehab.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around recommendations for optimal health management, wellness, and ongoing rehabilitation for individuals with chronic strokeApply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the delivery of short-term, high-intensity, interdisciplinary rehabilitation and wellness for individuals with chronic strokeSolve patient case scenarios involving plateau or decline in function over time in individuals who are aging with chronic strokeTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction to stroke boot camp(00:01:36) The journey of Dr. Alison McKenzie(00:06:56) The importance of community and support(00:09:46) Research-driven approaches in stroke rehabilitation(00:12:25) Tailoring treatment for individual needs(00:14:25) Stroke boot camp overview(00:16:45) High-intensity training and its impact(00:19:37) Neural priming and its benefits(00:21:57) Measuring intensity and progress(00:28:49) Expanding the boot camp model(00:31:32) Engaging clinicians in community programs(00:34:58) Flexible approaches to community rehabilitation(00:39:15) Enhancing therapy through intensity and creativity(00:45:05) Fostering socialization in rehabilitation(00:47:20) Conclusion and future directionsNeuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/

Dr. Amy Yorke, PT, PhD, board-certified clinical specialist in neurology, joins host J.J. Mowder-Tinney for an energizing discussion on what it really takes to move evidence into practice. Together, they explore the everyday barriers rehab professionals face, such as time, resources, and habits, and offer practical strategies to help you implement evidence without losing clinical creativity. With examples from Amy’s own work in a student-led pro bono clinic, you’ll walk away inspired to start small, think critically, and share what you learn. If you’ve ever felt the tug between research and real life, this episode is for you.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze current evidence on knowledge translation in rehabilitation practiceApply practical, evidence-based strategies to bridge the research-to-practice gapImplement clinical practice guidelines through real-world case scenariosTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Bridging research and practice(00:01:29) Amy’s journey into knowledge translation(00:04:12) The importance of evidence in practice(00:08:50) Challenges in implementing evidence-based practice(00:09:36) Adapting evidence to local contexts(00:10:35) The role of patient values in evidence-based practice(00:13:10) The human element in clinical practice(00:14:58) Overcoming barriers to change(00:17:19) Facilitators and barriers in knowledge translation(00:22:10) Creating a supportive environment for evidence use(00:24:50) Innovative podcast ideas for therapists(00:26:05) Bridging gaps in clinical practice guidelines(00:28:05) The role of learning health systems in rehab(00:31:17) Collaborative approaches in neuro rehab(00:33:10) Engaging patients in their recovery(00:37:08) Overcoming barriers to patient engagement(00:40:15) Action steps for clinicians(00:41:55) Real-world application of evidence-based practice(00:47:00) Fun wrap-up and superpower dreams:Neuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/

This episode explores how physical and occupational therapists can integrate Parkinson’s disease–specific functional training into everyday clinical practice. Host J.J. Mowder-Tinney is joined by Dr. Becky Farley, neuroscientist, physical therapist, and founder of Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!), to discuss the science and art of applying exercise as medicine for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Together, they break down the core motor control building blocks—such as antigravity extension, weight shifting, axial mobility, and transitions—and demonstrate how these fundamentals can be retrained and progressed to improve real-world function. Listeners will learn practical strategies to make exercise goal-directed, challenging, and fun, while also addressing cognitive and emotional barriers that often limit mobility. Through case examples and clinical pearls, this conversation highlights how to design interventions that feel more like sport than therapy, empowering patients to move with greater ease and confidence. Ideal for PTs and OTs working in rehabilitation or community-based settings, this episode offers actionable insights you can bring directly to your practiceLearning ObjectivesAnalyze the fundamental motor control building blocks that support functional mobility training as a foundational intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD)Apply evidence-informed strategies to target key motor control fundamentals when designing PD-specific functional mobility trainingSolve patient case scenarios to develop individualized plans of care that integrate PD-specific functional mobility training across rehabilitation and community settingsTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:01:09) Introduction to guest(00:04:20) The importance of functional mobility training(00:06:38) Understanding Parkinson’s symptoms and their impact(00:10:25) Core fundamentals of movement in therapy(00:14:50) Recapping fundamental building blocks of movement(00:25:20) Common impairments in Parkinson’s beyond rigidity and bradykinesia(00:28:55) Research insights on essential ingredients for rehabilitation(00:32:40) Defining FUN-ctional exercise(00:36:04) Practical examples of motor-cognitive challenges(00:41:43) Translating research into day-to-day clinical practice(00:43:07) Creative case example: turning and freezing of gait(00:49:22) Engaging care partners for home and community carryover(00:51:14) Three actionable clinical takeaways(00:54:30) Superpower question and closing thoughtsNeuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/

Dr. Nancy Byl, a pioneer in neuroplasticity and expert in focal dystonia, joins host J.J. Mowder-Tinney for a dynamic conversation on how OTs and PTs can rethink assessment and intervention for this underrecognized movement disorder. J.J. brings curiosity and clinical insight as they explore the sensory origins of dystonia, surprising traits shared by many patients, and why behavioral retraining may hold more promise than you think. Along the way, Dr. Byl shares case examples, brain mapping data, and creative treatment strategies grounded in decades of experience. Tune in to discover how targeted sensory retraining—and a little outside-the-box thinking—may help retrain the brain.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around the definition, diagnosis, and prevalence of focal dystonia (FD)Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to address the treatment of FD, grounded in principles of neuroplasticity and behavioral interventions, and to support engagement in meaningful occupationsSolve patient case scenarios involving FD while integrating current research, clinical reasoning, and potential directions for future investigationTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:01:05) Introduction to guest and focal dystonia research(00:06:56) Understanding focal dystonia in context(00:11:16) The impact of focal dystonia on lives(00:16:01) Personality traits and focal dystonia(00:18:35) Neuroscience insights into dystonia(00:24:39) Behavioral retraining and dystonia(00:28:18) Patient characteristics and outcomes(00:33:49) Assessment techniques for dystonia(00:46:08) Innovative treatment approaches(00:47:17) The role of behavioral training in recovery(00:49:46) Real-life retraining success stories and insightsNeuro Navigators is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Neuro Naviagators, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/neuro-navigators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/medbridgeteam/