2019 Conference Highlights

Join Us In Chicago!

All conference attendees are automatically ACRM members. Non-members receive a 6-month introductory ACRM membership automatically with registration. Put your member benefits to work right away—join an ACRM community group and attend a community group or task force meeting! PLEASE NOTE: Dates and times are subject to change. Please check the Online Program for the most up-to-date information.

Wednesday 6 NOV

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

SCI-ISIG FES and Technology Task Force Meeting (open for ALL to attend)
Location: 4H, 4th Floor

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM

SCI-ISIG Womens Task Force Meeting (open for ALL to attend)
Location: 4L, 4th Floor

Thursday 7 NOV

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

SCI-ISIG Business Meeting (open for ALL to attend)
Location: 4C, 4th Floor

Special Symposia >>

Incorporating Consumer Perspectives in Measuring and Managing Urinary Health Among Those with SCI >>

Urinary tract infection, a common condition among those with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury or dysfunction, contributes to decreased life expectancy and inability to participate in community life. This symposium will share findings from patient-centered research projects pertaining to the measurement and promotion of urinary health, and discuss how to accomplish stakeholder involvement in projects in ways that enhance research quality and translation to clinical practice.

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3rd ACRM Women in Rehabilitation Science Symposium >>

The central role of this special symposium is to assist the ACRM to fulfill its vision of equality for women in rehabilitation science by exposing its membership to successful female scientist role models, recognized and respected for their unique contributions to the field of rehabilitation science. The presenters chosen for this years’ special symposium, Dr. Lisa Barnes, and Dr. Sue Ann Sisto, have been successful in rehabilitation research and scholarship in their own right. They have distinguished themselves though their scholarship, career leadership and research in the field of rehabilitation psychology, medicine, geriatrics, neurology, physical therapy and at the NIH.

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A New Era in Bringing Bionics to Humans >>

Amanda Boxtel, the CEO of Bridging Bionics, a non-profit program designed to help individuals who have mobility impairments to regain motility with the assistance of neuromuscular training and a bionic exoskeleton suit (EksoTM). Amanda success was honored by the 2018 CNN Hero by CNN Worldwide in recognition of her legacy of helping individuals with neurological impairments regain mobility. Her program bridges cutting edge technology , which is typically cost prohibitive, for individuals who lost their mobility to enhance neuro-recovery and quality of life. The program enables such individuals to exercise in an inclusive health club environment that promotes well-being.

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Lecture Luncheons >>

Restoration of Motor Function in Persons with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Via Acute Intermittent Hypoxia (TICKETED EVENT) >>

This presentation will review what we have learned about the effects of acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) from studies on the neural control of breathing and its restoration after damage to neural or musculoskeletal elements engaged in respiration. In particular, we will show that following AIH, substantial enhancements of motor outflow arise in both the neural pathways regulating breathing, and also in non-respiratory motor systems, such as major limb muscles in both upper and lower extremities. Finally, we will review briefly our own findings about potential therapeutic applications of AIH techniques in humans with injury to thoracolumbar or cervical cord.

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Instructional Courses >>

IC 2: Manual Wheelchair Skills Assessment and Training: A Practical Workshop for Therapists >>

Research evidence has been accumulating that demonstrates the safety and superior effectiveness of a formal approach to the assessment and training of the wheelchair skills of wheelchair users and their caregivers. The low-tech, high-impact Wheelchair Skills Program includes useful tools to help practitioners translate this research evidence into clinical practice. This 8-hour workshop, will begin with a brief didactic introduction. The practical portion of the workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to practice adjustments in wheelchair set-up and experience a range of wheelchair skills including spotting techniques, assessment methods and training tips.

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IC 31: An Introduction to the NIH Toolbox’s Suite of Neurobehavioral Tests and use in Rehab Settings >>

The NIH Toolbox® workshop presents updated research and hands-on demonstration of this cutting edge measurement system to assess neurological and behavioral function. The advantages of employing common measures across rehabilitation research and clinical practice will be addressed. Recent findings with the NIH Toolbox in spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury will be described. Participants will acquire the basics of computer adaptive testing and modern psychometric approaches and the building blocks for administration of the NIH Toolbox® measures for emotional, cognitive, sensory and motor function via an iPad.

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IC 16: Improving Balance Control and Preventing Falls: Evidence-Based Approaches for Adult Neurological Populations >>

Falls and impaired balance are a significant concern for individuals living with neurological conditions, and neurological rehabilitation programs are evolving in order to target these issues. In this evidence-based instructional course you will learn how to: 1) implement a framework for an individualized assessment of fall risk; 2) develop individualized fall prevention strategies for people living with a neurological condition; 3) assess the various systems of balance control through bedside and instrumented approaches; and, 4) deliver comprehensive balance training and appreciate the ability of technology, such as functional electrical stimulation, to augment these training approaches.

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IC 21: ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) 1/2 day at ACRM >>

The “ASIA 1/2 at ACRM” course attempts to introduce and educate participants in:

1. Primary care services models that are suited and optimized for use in individuals with SCI related paralysis; educating healthcare providers familiar with individuals with SCI how to deploy the models to primary care providers delivering infrequent care to this population.
2. Assessing neurologic function utilizing the international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury (ISNCSCI), especially when confronted with challenging cases.
3. Becoming familiar with ASIA’s educational offerings through its eLearning Center.

The sessions are planned to be interactive and solicit audience feedback.