2510 – Aquatic Options for TBI Rehabilitation

Intermediate / Symposium 2-hour Pool Workshop

Sanibel, FL / Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 7:00-9:20 am – 2.0 credit hours equal to 2.0 CECs/.2 CEUs

(Pool: 7:00-8:00 am / Classroom: 8:20-9:20 am)

Faculty: Mary Wykle, PhD, ATRIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs and mTBIs) are at the forefront of news reports from not just military actions, but also sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents. Treatment and recovery is in the infancy of research and new information is continually becoming available. TBIs are caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts normal function of the brain. The leading causes are falls, motor vehicle/traffic accidents, assaults, and explosive devices. TBIs can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, and/or emotions. Some symptoms include memory trouble – no problem remembering past, but inability to remember the now, multiple or complex tasks confound and irritate, overstimulation in the environment can cause overload and shut down. People suffering a TBI are at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Epilepsy. Seizures occur in about 70% of people with severe head injury.

Orthopedic/sport trauma (mTBI) is a disruption of normal brain function as a result of a violent mechanical action affecting the head, usually resulting from a direct blow to the head or sudden acceleration/deceleration movement of the head. Sports injuries resulting in concussions cause a temporary loss of normal brain function. Repeated concussions can result in permanent injury to the brain. Research on football concussions show they are a type of internal head injury. Many go undiagnosed, untreated, unresolved. Due to nature of injury and structures involved, patients encounter a variety of neurological, functional, and psychological dysfunctions. Concern regarding potential effect on future health extends beyond initial/acute phase. Post-concussion syndrome refers to a cluster of ailments such as returning headaches, dizziness, fatigue, vertigo, irritability, and impaired concentration and memory. The mildest mTBI may result in greater susceptibility to future episodes or risk of developing a more serious condition. Potential long-term impairments include physical, cognitive mental, emotional mental, behavioral mental, societal/environmental mental impairments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) Examine the differences and commonalities in traumatic brain injuries.

2) Explore new methods to assist patients in recovery, life adjustment skills, and physical challenge.

3) Utilize varied activities in the water to present option for successful activity.

4) Add cognitive water activities to encourage complex tasks or verbal response.

5) Describe the soothing response of warm water and optional activities.

FACULTY: Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC, is a professor of physical education at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds multiple certifications in aquatics and fitness. Her company, MW Associates, offers consulting workshops in health and aquatics. Mary is a long-time faculty member and serves on varied committees for ATRI, AEA/IAFC, and WAHC. She is the author of Risk Awareness and Safety Training, the Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi™ course, and the Lumbar Stabilization Exercises DVD.