Functional Neurological Disorders:
Advancing Physical Therapy with Evidence-Based Clinical Reasoning 

A Comprehensive Online Course, Starts April 14, 2025

 
 

The online Functional Neurological Disorders course is a multi-component online course that includes online education, interaction with the course faculty in online meetings, and many resources and tools to support clinicians and organizations in assessment and treatment of individuals with Functional Neurologic Disorders in clinical practice.

Registration fee: $449 USD

Description

Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) are one of the top five reasons people seek evaluation in neurology clinics. Despite this high prevalence, FND remains poorly understood, presenting significant challenges for physical therapists in various practice settings. 

FND is recognized as a brain network disorder, characterized by disruptions within and across brain networks. Diagnosis relies on "rule-in" signs with high sensitivity and specificity, distinguishing it from other conditions. Emerging neuroscience has revealed that individuals with FND often experience impairments in several areas, including prediction, attention, interoception, and agency. 

Physical therapy is a first-line treatment for motor FND, supported by consensus guidelines and emerging evidence from randomized controlled trials. However, inconsistencies in entry-level physical therapy curricula have left many clinicians grappling with clinical questions and a need for effective strategies to manage this complex patient population. This course will equip participants with foundational knowledge and clinical reasoning frameworks to enhance the assessment and management of FND, grounded in current and emerging evidence. 

In addition to didactic online learning, participants will receive many resources to support implementation, including: 

  • FND education, assessment, and treatment resources (e.g., cheat sheets) 

  • Reading resource library  

  • “FND Essentials” supply list to enhance treatment sessions  

  • Two mid-course sessions to answer questions about content (2, 1-hour session)  

  • Two online group mentoring sessions (2, 1-hour sessions)  

  • Participation in an online community of practice for one year which will include quarterly meetings plus access to an online community.   

Program objectives

This course offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing FND, equipping participants with the tools to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care. Participants will: 

  • Explain the pathophysiology of FND effectively to patients and colleagues. 

  • Perform accurate assessments, integrating biopsychosocial principles into both subjective and objective evaluations. 

  • Utilize clinical reasoning frameworks to create personalized, effective plans of care for individuals with FND. 

  • Screen for common comorbidities such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and understand how to adjust care plans accordingly. 

  • Identify when and how to refer patients to other allied health professionals for optimal outcomes.