In this episode, host Ken Vinacco talks with guests Andrew Rosen and Ashley Durando to discuss the National Ataxia Foundation mission and resources.The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy ofNeurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.orgFor questions about this podcast, please contact neuroddsig@gmail.com.Guest InformationAndrew Rosen, CEO of the National Ataxia FoundationAshley Dorundo, PT, DPT, DD SIG Liaison to the National Ataxia FoundationResources from the NAFhttps://www.ataxia.org/763-553-0020naf@ataxia.orgCenters of Excellence: https://www.ataxia.org/ace/No-cost genetic testing program: https://www.ataxia.org/genetics/Support Groups: https://www.ataxia.org/support-groups/NAF Events: https://www.ataxia.org/events/Health Care Provider Resources: https://www.ataxia.org/provider-resources/Fact sheets: https://www.ataxia.org/fact-sheets/Exercise videos: https://www.ataxia.org/exercise/General references: https://www.ataxia.org/general-references/Citation: Rosen A, Dorundo A, Vinacco K. DD SIG Navigating the Path Episode 5: The National Ataxia Foundation. 4D: Deep Dive Into Degenerative Diseases, a podcast of the ANPTDegenerative Diseases Special Interest Group. Published 07/31/2025.https://podcasts.neuropt.org/?p=1985This is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute forclinical decision making. The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and its collaborators disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage by errors or omissions in this publication. The views or opinions expressed are those of the individual creators and do not necessarily represent the position of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

In this episode, host Ken Vinacco talks with Bobby Hand about the role and intricacies of skilled maintenance therapy for individuals with degenerative diseases. Skilled maintenance therapy is the care that physical therapists can provide to individuals who have conditions with no curative treatment. Bobby and Ken delve into how PTs can provide therapy that impacts the individual’s quality of life, even when they are not expected to make improvements. Bobby shares examples from his clinical practice, and tips for making it work for your practice.   



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org 



For questions about this podcast, please contact neuroddsig@gmail.com  



Show notes available here: https://app.box.com/s/h12shsaxu8lpaaxabxk798qd96rpud41

In this episode, Chris interviews Michelle Walaszek, a winner of the DDSIG platform award at CSM Boston in 2024. Michelle, a PhD candidate and research associate in the Knowledge Translation of Exercise and Activity for Symptom Management (KTEAM) lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, explains important qualitative research that her team completed in their local Chicagoland area. She discusses themes that arose from survey data and analysis that assessed attitudes and experience with PD rehabilitation care for the Black or African American (BAA) community. Chris and Michelle also talk about some early applications of this information for clinicians, as well as next steps in the research.  



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org  

In this episode, Parm interviews Chelsea “CJ” Duppen, a winner of the DDSIG platform award at CSM Boston in 2024. CJ, a fourth year PhD student at the University of North Carolina, works with Dr. Mike Lewek in the Recovery of Gait and Neurorehabilitation (ReGaiN) lab, studying gait and gait initiation impairments in people living with Parkinson Disease, as well as motor learning. Parm and CJ discuss CJ’s poster, “Gait Initiation Dynamics in Parkinson Disease: Impact of Weight Shift Amplitude and Freezing of Gait.” CJ tell us about the importance of anticipatory postural adjustments for weight shifts required in gait initiation, and how these play a role in first step length. Have you ever wondered if better weight shift improved someone with PD’s first step? Listen in to learn more!  



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of  Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org  

In this episode of 4D, hosts Parm Padgett and 4D student intern Shannon Brown talk through the degenerative disease programming scheduled for CSM 2024. If you’re going to CSM this February, tune in while you travel, or even while you commute from your hotel in the morning to get some inspiration for what to see each day. We at 4D hope to see you there!  



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy –www.neuroPT.org  



  



Learn more about CSM and the programming discussed by visiting the CSM website: https://www.apta.org/csm   



This is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for clinical decision making. The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and its collaborators disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage by errors or omissions in this publication. The views or opinions expressed are those of the individual creators and do not necessarily represent the position of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy

In this installment of our series on rare neurologic diseases, Christina Burke talks with Jeannie Stephenson and Staci Shearin about Friedreich’s Ataxia, a progressive, autosomal recessive hereditary multi-system neurodegenerative disease that impacts approximately 1 in 40,000 people in the U.S. Jeannie and Staci cover assessment, PT treatment and prognosis for people with this unique diagnosis that causes significant balance and gait challenges.  



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org



Show notes available here :



https://www.neuropt.org/docs/default-source/degenerative-diseases-sig/4d-podcast-show-notes---2019/ddsig-podcast-show-notes-2023/show-notes---episode-47-jeannie-stephenson-staci-shearin.pdf

In this episode, host Jeffrey Schmidt talks with Dr. Mark Mañago, who won this year’s DD SIG CSM platform award year.. Dr. Mañago chats with us about his recent presentation at CSM entitled “Feasibility of Low-Load Resistance Training with Blood Flow Restriction for People with Severe Multiple Sclerosis”. While traditionally considered a musculoskeletal intervention, he discusses the benefits blood flow restriction (BFR) can bring to the world of neurologic diagnoses, especially for those with more severe weakness. We review the results of this pilot study, including the feasibility of this intervention in regards to adherence, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Tune in to hear more about this emerging intervention. The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org

In this episode, Katy talks with Dr. Andrew Guccione and Dr. Andrew Pechstein about their article published in the April 2023 issue of JNPT entitled “Walking Endurance and Oxygen Uptake on Kinetics in Individuals with Parkinson Disease Following Overground Locomotor Training.” “Dr. G” and Dr. Pechstein discuss cardiorespiratory aspects of locomotor training and how bioenergetic factors play a role in walking endurance. Tune in to hear more, including how they designed their exercise protocol, selected outcomes, and clinical implications of considering cardiorespiratory endurance when evaluating patients. 



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic



Physical Therapy – www.neuroPT.org

In this bonus episode of 4D, we talk with Herb Karpatkin, a DD SIG officer who serves on the Nominating Committee, about one of the DD SIG’s newest features, the clinician locator map. Host and DD SIG chair Rebecca Martin talks with Dr. Karpatkin about his recent initiative to improve and simplify access to physical therapists who specialize in degenerative neurologic diseases. Learn more about how to access this resource and how to add your information to our map! The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy –www.neuroPT.org 



Clinician Locator Map Info Page: https://www.neuropt.org/special-interest-groups/degenerative-diseases/ddsig-clinician-locator-map

In this episode of 4D, hosts Parm Padgett and Ken Vinacco give us the inside scoop on the degenerative disease representation in the 2023 CSM line up. Hear clips/sneak peeks from several of the speakers about their upcoming presentations. With so many must-see talks, you’re going to want to listen in to get a head start on planning your time at CSM! The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy –www.neuroPT.org



Link to show notes: https://app.box.com/s/q985x9cqbqky4qai4ci5thw21lvghgrs

In this bonus episode, physical therapy students, Emily Buggeln and Colleen Noonan interview Daniel Corcos on resistance training for persons with Parkinson Disease. This interview was organized by the knowledge translation task force for the clinical practice guideline for the physical therapist management of people with Parkinson disease. For more resources, check out their webpage at https://www.neuropt.org/practice-resources/anpt-clinical-practice-guidelines/pt-management-of-parkinson-disease  



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy –www.neuroPT.org.  

In this episode of 4D, Parm talks with Dr. Alexis Drutchas and Dr. Jaclyn Shameklis about creating open conversations with patients who have illnesses that can have drastic and lasting impacts on their lives. We discuss the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, and how it can be applied in a physical therapy setting, especially for patients with degenerative diseases. They build a case that having these conversations, early and often, allows health care providers to get to the root of what is important to patients and make the best recommendations in their area of expertise. We hope this podcast helps listeners think differently about and feel more confident when discussing prognosis and goals with patients with neurodegenerative conditions. 



Show notes available here: https://neuropt.org/docs/default-source/degenerative-diseases-sig/4d-podcast-show-notes---2019/4d-episode-35-with-alexis-druchas-and-jaclyn-shameklis.pdf?Status=Temp&sfvrsn=46c15d43_2



Access the Serious Illness Conversation Guide here:  https://mghcontinuumproject.org/app/uploads/2022/08/MGH_SIC-Guide.pdf

Strategies to Advance Practice – with Elissa Held Bradford



In this episode, we highlight the article “Health Promotion and Wellness in Neurologic Physical Therapy: Strategies to Advance Practice” from the April 2022 issue of JNPT by Rafferty, et. al. Parm is joined by one of the authors, Elissa Held Bradford, to discuss how to implement health promotion and wellness topics into daily PT practice. They expand on the role of health promotion and wellness across multiple practice settings and delve into the healthcare delivery models outlined in the paper.  



The Degenerative Disease Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuropt.org  

In this CSM bonus episode, Rebecca talks to Dr. Suzanne O’Neal about her work using backward cycling as a treatment strategy for people with PD. Suzanne and Rebecca discuss the ins and outs of testing backward stepping, the study’s results, and how to incorporate this treatment approach into your practice. This research was the basis for a platform presentation that won the DD SIG Platform Award at APTA’s CSM 2021. 



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy - www.neuropt.org. 

In this episode, Parm talks to Dr. Vanina Dal Bello-Haas about her research and experience treating people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. They discuss expanding the classification of ALS, addressing multi-system involvement (including pain and respiratory dysfunction), and recognizing patient priorities while balancing active intervention and overuse. Join us as we learn more about the assessment, management, and empowerment of our patients with ALS! 



The Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group is part of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy – www.neuropt.org. 

Join our host, Parm Padgett as she and Dr. Alicia Flach discuss telerehabilitation and what you can do to help keep telerehab accessible and reimbursable! Click here for a link to the APTA Action Center where you can send letters of support to your Senators and Representatives (you do not need to be an APTA member). You can email Dr. Alicia Flach for more information or to help at ADFLACH@mailbox.sc.edu.