Cancers of the head and neck make up 3 – 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States and 5 year survival rates vary widely (30 – 94%) depending on the specific site. Although prevalence rates for head and neck cancer related to tobacco and alcohol use are decreasing, rates are increasing for HPV-related cancers. Medical management of head and neck cancer may include a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which can result in a multitude of impairments in body function and structure. Survivorship plans span the point of diagnosis through end of life, and must include caregivers and family members. This one day educational session and lab will review associated outcomes of treatment including surgical/anatomical changes, prosthetic needs and reconstruction implications, TMJ dysfunction/trismus, shoulder and neck impairments, pain, radiation fibrosis, lymphedema, cancer related fatigue, deconditioning and nutritional deficits. A focus on the role of the physical therapist in the interprofessional team will include the best available evidence for the evaluation and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.

At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:

• Describe the common medical management strategies for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
• Describe the role of the physical therapist as part of the interprofessional team in treating patients with head and neck cancer.
• Evaluate impairments in body function and structure, activity limitations and participation restrictions related to a head and neck cancer diagnosis and the side effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
• Identify appropriate physical therapy outcome measures for use in the head and neck cancer population.
• Apply hands-on approaches for the management of shoulder and neck impairments, TMJ dysfunction and lymphedema through small lab experiences.

Participants will receive a certificate of participation for 0.8 CEUS (8 contact hours) at the conclusion of the course.

Snacks will be provided and lunch is on your own. Please dress comfortably.

Instructors: Bryan A. Spinelli PT, PhD, OCS, CLT-LANA

Biography:

Bryan A. Spinelli is an Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Physical Therapy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (2000) and a Master of Science (2001) from Northeastern University. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy (2016) at Drexel University. Bryan is an American Physical Therapy Association Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Lymphology Association of North America Certified Lymphedema Therapist. He has experience assisting persons diagnosed with cancer manage neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, lymphedema, fatigue, weakness, deconditioning, and balance deficits. He has lectured, published and/or presented at conferences in the areas of cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema, shoulder biomechanics, and shoulder pain and dysfunction in cancer survivors.

Course Description

Physical therapists commonly treat patients with cancer in all settings.  A review of cancer pathophysiology, the impact of cancer and its treatment on body systems and functions, balance, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors will be addressed. Participants will be able to use the data gathered from the history, review of systems, systems review, examination and evaluation to identify cancer survivors who are at risk of balance disorders, falls, or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  The use of evidence-based screening tools and outcomes measures as well as the prospective surveillance model in the cancer populations will be emphasized. An evidence-based application of interventions with a lab component of case studies will be addressed. The lab components require active participation. Participants should dress appropriately to allow full body movement. Participants will work on assigned tasks prior to the start of the course.

Register Online

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:  

1. Identify the unique and diverse systemic and local effects of cancer and its treatment that impact balance and increase risks of falls.
2. Apply evidence-based screening tools and outcome measures within the ICF framework for the management of balance problems, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.
3. Apply evidence-based treatment strategies while considering physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis to improve balance and reduce fall risks in cancer survivors.

Course Schedule

Instructors: Jena Colon, DPT, Earllaine Croarkin, PT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology & Cindy Pfalzer, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Biography:

Jena Colon, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Covenant Healthcare
Saginaw, MI

Jena is a practicing physical therapist and adjunct professor at MidMichigan Community College in Mount Pleasant, MI. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry as well as her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan – Flint. She has received certifications as an LSVT BIG clinician, Otago certification for the geriatric population, and Level 1 Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). Jena was recently selected by the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) as an item writer for the Oncology Specialty Council. She is currently serving as a Federal Affairs Liaison for the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has also served on the APTA Oncology Sections’ Breast Cancer EDGE Task Force of Outcome Measures on Balance as well as many other EDGE Task Force initiatives for cancer through the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has presented her research along with her fellow authors at multiple national conferences to date and is a published author in peer-reviewed journals such as Rehabilitation Oncology.

Min H. Huang, PT, PhD
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist

Min H. Huang, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received a bachelor of science in physical therapy from National Taiwan University in 1992, a master of art and a master of education in Motor Learning and Motor Control from Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Columbia University in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and a PhD in Kinesiology in 2009 from the University of Michigan. Dr. Huang joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in 2010. She was promoted to Associate professor in 2016. Dr. Huang chaired the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in breast cancer survivors in 2014-2015. She currently is leading another EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in all adult cancer survivors in 2018-2019. Dr. Huang is a member and secretary of the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on movement disorders and postural control in older cancer survivors as well as patients with neurologic conditions. She has collaborated with Dr. Pfalzer to examine falls, balance and walking difficult in older cancer survivors using the U.S. population-based datasets obtained from the National Cancer Institute.

Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer
PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer has more than 35 years’ experience as a physical therapist. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy (PT) from Ithaca College in 1979, a master’s in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation in 1984 and a PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1989, both from The Ohio State University. Dr. Pfalzer joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in June of 1986. She was promoted to Associate professor in 1992, Full Professor in 1998, and Professor Emerita in 2014 and the Pfalzer Horizon Award was created in her honor in March of 2014.

Dr. Pfalzer led the development of online and post-professional physical therapy education at UM-Flint with the addition of a transitional DPT program including international education, certificate / residency programs in advanced PT practice and approval of the PhD in PT.  Dr. Pfalzer became a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine in 1992. She was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2007. Dr. Pfalzer currently serves as Editor of Rehabilitation Oncology, the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy journal, and recently assisted with development of the “ONCO Reads” CEU project in partnership with the APTA Learning Center.

Dr. Pfalzer is a member of the Academy Board of Directors and Research Committee. She serves the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as a member of the Oncology Specialty Council and Item Review Coordinator and is a member of the Accreditation Services Committee of Accreditation Services Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).  She assisted with establishment of the Academy’s newest Special Interest Group for Balance and Falls for Cancer Survivors, and co-teaches a regional course on Balance and Falls in Cancer Survivors for the Academy.

Course Description

Physical therapists commonly treat patients with cancer in all settings.  A review of cancer pathophysiology, the impact of cancer and its treatment on body systems and functions, balance, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors will be addressed. Participants will be able to use the data gathered from the history, review of systems, systems review, examination and evaluation to identify cancer survivors who are at risk of balance disorders, falls, or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  The use of evidence-based screening tools and outcomes measures as well as the prospective surveillance model in the cancer populations will be emphasized. An evidence-based application of interventions with a lab component of case studies will be addressed. The lab components require active participation. Participants should dress appropriately to allow full body movement. Participants will work on assigned tasks prior to the start of the course.

Register Online

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, a participant should be able to:  

1. Identify the unique and diverse systemic and local effects of cancer and its treatment that impact balance and increase risks of falls.
2. Apply evidence-based screening tools and outcome measures within the ICF framework for the management of balance problems, fall risk, and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.
3. Apply evidence-based treatment strategies while considering physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis to improve balance and reduce fall risks in cancer survivors.

Course Schedule

Instructors: Jena Colon, DPT, Earllaine Croarkin, PT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurology & Cindy Pfalzer, PT, PhD, FAPTA

Biography:

Jena Colon, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Covenant Healthcare
Saginaw, MI

Jena is a practicing physical therapist and adjunct professor at MidMichigan Community College in Mount Pleasant, MI. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry as well as her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Michigan – Flint. She has received certifications as an LSVT BIG clinician, Otago certification for the geriatric population, and Level 1 Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). Jena was recently selected by the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) as an item writer for the Oncology Specialty Council. She is currently serving as a Federal Affairs Liaison for the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has also served on the APTA Oncology Sections’ Breast Cancer EDGE Task Force of Outcome Measures on Balance as well as many other EDGE Task Force initiatives for cancer through the Oncology Section of the APTA. She has presented her research along with her fellow authors at multiple national conferences to date and is a published author in peer-reviewed journals such as Rehabilitation Oncology.

Min H. Huang, PT, PhD
Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist

Min H. Huang, PT, PhD, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She received a bachelor of science in physical therapy from National Taiwan University in 1992, a master of art and a master of education in Motor Learning and Motor Control from Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Columbia University in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and a PhD in Kinesiology in 2009 from the University of Michigan. Dr. Huang joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in 2010. She was promoted to Associate professor in 2016. Dr. Huang chaired the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in breast cancer survivors in 2014-2015. She currently is leading another EDGE Task Force on outcome measures for balance in all adult cancer survivors in 2018-2019. Dr. Huang is a member and secretary of the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on movement disorders and postural control in older cancer survivors as well as patients with neurologic conditions. She has collaborated with Dr. Pfalzer to examine falls, balance and walking difficult in older cancer survivors using the U.S. population-based datasets obtained from the National Cancer Institute.

Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer
PT, PhD, FACSM, FAPTA

Lucinda (Cindy) A. Pfalzer has more than 35 years’ experience as a physical therapist. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy (PT) from Ithaca College in 1979, a master’s in Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation in 1984 and a PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1989, both from The Ohio State University. Dr. Pfalzer joined University of Michigan (UM)-Flint as an Assistant Professor in June of 1986. She was promoted to Associate professor in 1992, Full Professor in 1998, and Professor Emerita in 2014 and the Pfalzer Horizon Award was created in her honor in March of 2014.

Dr. Pfalzer led the development of online and post-professional physical therapy education at UM-Flint with the addition of a transitional DPT program including international education, certificate / residency programs in advanced PT practice and approval of the PhD in PT.  Dr. Pfalzer became a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine in 1992. She was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2007. Dr. Pfalzer currently serves as Editor of Rehabilitation Oncology, the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy journal, and recently assisted with development of the “ONCO Reads” CEU project in partnership with the APTA Learning Center.

Dr. Pfalzer ia a member of the Academy Board of Directors and Research Committee. She serves the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) as a member of the Oncology Specialty Council and Item Review Coordinator and is a member of the Accreditation Services Committee of Accreditation Services Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).  She assisted with establishment of the Academy’s newest Special Interest Group for Balance and Falls for Cancer Survivors, and co-teaches a regional course on Balance and Falls in Cancer Survivors for the Academy.