Salia Rehab is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 14012. This Distance Learning - Independent activity is offered at .15 CEUs, introductory level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.

Course Overview

Recovery of hand and upper‐extremity function is one of the highest priorities for individuals living with cervical spinal cord injury, yet traditional rehabilitation approaches often yield limited improvements. Recent advances in neuromodulation, specifically transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), offer new opportunities to activate spinal networks, enhance volitional motor output, and improve hand sensation and strength even in the chronic stage of injury.

This course introduces clinicians to transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation for people with chronic cervical spinal cord injury with the goal of improving hand sensation and strength. Through an overview of tSCS mechanisms, current clinical evidence, and practical programming guidance, participants will learn how tSCS can be integrated with functional task practice and how it differs fundamentally from other available therapies. Clinicians will leave equipped with actionable strategies to deliver safe, personalized, and evidence‑based ARC‑EX Therapy in both clinic and home‑based settings.

The online class is intended for medical professionals (e.g. OT/OTA, PT/PTA, Physicians, etc.) directly related to the rehabilitation of a patient or client. To participate in this CEU and receive credit, the participant must be a licensed, treating clinician. Completion of this course will reward the participant with .15 CEUs or 1.5 contact hours, following completion of the presentation and a ≥ 80% score on the quiz. You will have 90 days to complete this course.


Some of the Questions Answered in this Course Include:

  • Can non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation meaningfully improve hand sensation and strength in people with chronic cervical SCI?

  • How does transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation work, and how is it clinically different from NMES, FES, and TENS?

  • How does transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation differ from peripheral electrical stimulation in the way it engages neural circuits and supports voluntary movement?

  • Which patients are appropriate candidates, and how are stimulation parameters selected and optimized in clinical practice?

  • How should occupational therapists integrate ARC-EX Therapy with functional task practice to support meaningful ADLs?

Course Curriculum

    1. Overview

    2. Learning Outcomes

    3. Presentation Manual

    4. Watch Course

    5. Course Review

    6. Quiz

    7. Course Feedback

About this course

  • 1.5 Contact Hours / .15 CEUs
  • Online Self-Study Course
  • Speaker Video and Slide Content

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the primary rehabilitation priorities reported by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

  • Recall the basic neurophysiological mechanisms of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation and recognize how its effects differ from direct neuromuscular stimulation.

  • Identify key findings from the current clinical evidence on non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation and recognize their relevance for promoting recovery following spinal cord injury.

  • Identify ways non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation can be applied within occupational therapy interventions to support participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) and meaningful occupations for individuals with SCI.

Instructor

Candace Tefertiller

PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

Dr. Candace Tefertiller is the Executive Director of Research and Evaluation at Craig Hospital and holds the Helen Phillips Levin Endowed Chair of Research. She currently serves as the Co-Project Director for both the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) at Craig. Dr. Tefertiller is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado, Denver. Since 2000, Dr. Tefertiller has worked in the field of neurological rehabilitation as both a clinician and clinician-scientist, providing care to individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), while leading research focused on advancing recovery after neurologic injury and disease. Her work has centered on intervention development, implementation of evidence-based programs, and translational research to optimize functional outcomes. Dr. Tefertiller is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Neurologic Section of APTA. She currently serves as Chair of the Education Committee of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)

Cancellations/Accommodations/Disclosures

  • Extra Accommodations

    Please provide extra accommodation requests via email to [email protected] explaining what you require to participate in the course(s) of your choosing. We will do our best to accommodate you.

  • Disclosures

    Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is provided by Salia Rehab, LLC. Financial Disclosure: Speaker received an honorarium for this course. Non-Financial Disclosure: No relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.