This course is designed to update participants on the latest evidence and clinical application of Therapeutic Neuroscience Education (TNE) for patients in pain. Current best evidence has shown that neuroscience educational strategies utilizing neurobiology and neurophysiology are able to reduce pain, increase function, reduce fear and catastrophization, improve movement and change cognitions and brain activation during pain experiences. Therapeutic neuroscience education changes patient beliefs regarding their pain, thus reducing the threat of pain. This class will discuss the evolution of TNE, why neuroscience education is needed in physical therapy and, more importantly, the clinical application and implementation of TNE for patients with acute, sub-acute and chronic pain.

Course Objectives/Outcomes

• Discuss the need for pain neuroscience education in their clinical practice.
• Identify factors in their current patient population that may contribute to driving a patient toward the fear or recovery pathway in the Fear-Avoidance Model by Vlayen, et al.
• Discuss the latest evidence for pain neuroscience education.
• Identify a clinical scenario in their practice where they had to adjust the level of education to meet the patient/client where they were at and describe how they adjusted their communication.
• Describe in words what they will say to a patient to teach them that pain is an output rather than an input using the Mature Organism Model from Louis Gifford.
• Provide an empathetic discussion with a patient/client related to how a “threat” or stressor can influence the pain experience when provided a clinical scenario.
• Share a brief clinical case scenario of a current or past patient/client in which they believe the issue is/was likely driven by a change in ion channel distribution.
• Explain to a patient/client the role of ion channels in their pain experience
• Explain to a patient/client how/why pain spreads
• Explain to a patient/client that tissue issues are only part of their pain experience
• Discuss how to safeguard their PNE story/message to make sure their patient/client doesn’t jump to the conclusion that their pain is made up
• List potential strategies to implement therapeutic neuroscience into clinic practice regarding time, staff, billing and traditional therapeutic treatments
• Communicate to their patient/client that pacing and graded exposure is the key to recovery when provided a patient scenario.
• Demonstrate the clinical ability to apply pain neuroscience education to clinical practice with the use of at least one metaphor shared in class

Applicability

• Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS)
• Fellowship in Pain Sciences
• PNE 101

Evidence In Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. By taking an EIM continuing education course designed for OTs/OTAs you may qualify for AOTA CEUs. *The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Evidence In Motion is a BOC approved provider of continuing education. This course is approved for 17 contact hours for ATCs.