Objective: Compare online versus live training of physical and occupational therapists in an evidence-based, Parkinson-specific rehabilitation approach.

Background: LSVT BIG® is an effective physical/occupational therapy for people with PD (Ebersbach et al, 2010). A challenge is that many people with PD who could benefit from this treatment do not have access to therapists trained to administer it. Online learning is an effective way to increase access to educational content (Anderson & Elloumi, 2004). Our previous NIH-funded work documented that online and live training of a PD-specific speech treatment (LSVT LOUD®) was comparable across learners. If we can demonstrate that online and live LSVT BIG training for physical and occupational therapists are comparable, it may expand access to this effective treatment for people with PD.

Methods: The online LSVT BIG training was developed to rigorously parallel the live course. It consists of 40 modules of content (including 99 videos), 142 review questions, a 40 question exam (85% required to pass), and a 90 day period for completion. After a pilot launch in 2014, the first year of implementation of online training was 2015. Data from the total number of online and live LSVT BIG learners in 2015 were analysed. Measures included number of clinicians trained, exam scores, course evaluations, and a post-completion practice survey.

Results: A total of 1133 therapists from 18 countries and 2227 therapists from 12 countries completed the online and live training, respectively. Preliminary data analysis revealed comparable outcomes in exam results for both groups (99% pass; 1% fail). Course evaluations were also comparable with 100% of online and live learners reporting they “received effective training” and 98% online and 100% live learners reporting they “were well-prepared to deliver LSVT BIG.” Online users identified technical issues as the greatest challenge and convenience as the greatest benefit of online learning. Additional data from the post-completion practice survey will be presented.

Conclusions: Online training for physical and occupational therapists in LSVT BIG appears to be comparable to live training, and may be a more effective format for some learners. Utilizing online learning can increase access to PD-specialty training for rehabilitation professionals globally, thus improving patient care.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/increased-access-to-training-in-a-parkinson-specific-rehabilitation-approach-through-online-learning/