It is thought that REM sleep is very important in motor memory consolidation. There have been studies done where they have compared people who learn motor skills and then gone through REM sleep with those that do a retention without the sleep period. They showed not just superior performance in those individuals who slept, but also all kinds of changes in their brain. For instance, it showed a high correlation of connectivity between premotor cortex and motor cortex, or supplementary motor cortex and motor cortex in those individuals who had REM sleep after the skill learning.
I remember when I was younger and stressed out about a test and crammed up to the last minute. I stayed up all night, but my mom always told me that it was important for me to go to sleep. We did not have the data associated with that at the time, but my mother was a neuroscientist, because in fact, there is a great deal of evidence that supports that sleep is very important. It is also a probable factor in why people with Parkinson’s disease have trouble with learning motor skills. We know that because of the medications they are taking and because of the disease itself, they have a lot of problems with sleep.
Beth Fisher, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Beth Fisher is Is a Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Neurology, Keck School of medicine at USC. Dr. Fisher is the director of the Neuroplasticity and Imaging Laboratory primarily using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to investigate brain-behavior relationships during motor skill learning and motor control in both non-disabled individuals and individuals with neurologic disorders. She previously worked at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center on the Adult Neurology and Brain Injury Services and continues to consult and teach nationally and internationally on current concepts for the treatment of adults with neurological disorders. During her years as a clinician and rehabilitation specialist, it was her greatest ambition to be a part of developing physical therapy interventions that would maximize neural and behavioral recovery in individuals suffering from pathological conditions affecting the nervous system. Towards this goal, she is currently studying the effects of skill training on functional recovery and brain repair in Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, she is studying brain changes using TMS in healthy individuals learning complex motor skills as well as long-term brain modifications that have occurred as the result of elite performance in athletes and professional musicians. In 2014, Dr. Fisher became a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association. The FAPTA designation is the highest honor among APTA’s membership categories and signifies attainment of the topmost level of professional excellence
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/exercise-induced-neuroplasticity-in-parkinson-4253Exercise-Induced Neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s DiseaseThis course explores early work demonstrating exercise-induced neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) that led to the current early and intensive physical therapy intervention with people with PD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comExercise-Induced Neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s DiseaseThis course explores early work demonstrating exercise-induced neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) that led to the current early and intensive physical therapy intervention with people with PD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.4253OnlinePT120M
This course explores early work demonstrating exercise-induced neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) that led to the current early and intensive physical therapy intervention with people with PD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/alzheimer-s-and-other-dementias-4864Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Overview for Healthcare ProfessionalsAn overview for healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders is provided in this course. Characteristics of the dementias, such as symptoms, progression, and how they are diagnosed, are described. Care planning strategies for improving communication with patients and families, understanding and managing behavioral challenges, and promoting independence are also discussed.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comAlzheimer's and Other Dementias: Overview for Healthcare ProfessionalsAn overview for healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders is provided in this course. Characteristics of the dementias, such as symptoms, progression, and how they are diagnosed, are described. Care planning strategies for improving communication with patients and families, understanding and managing behavioral challenges, and promoting independence are also discussed.4864OnlinePT60M
An overview for healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders is provided in this course. Characteristics of the dementias, such as symptoms, progression, and how they are diagnosed, are described. Care planning strategies for improving communication with patients and families, understanding and managing behavioral challenges, and promoting independence are also discussed.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/complex-and-chronic-impairment-in-4353Complex and Chronic Impairment in ConcussionThis webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comComplex and Chronic Impairment in ConcussionThis webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.4353OnlinePT120M
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/interdisciplinary-approach-to-stroke-rehabilitation-4609Interdisciplinary Approach To Stroke Rehabilitation: Outpatient, Home Health, And Community Rehabilitation PhaseThe unique relationship between the occupational and physical therapist when treating an acute, subacute, or chronic stroke diagnosis will be distinguished in this two-part series. Part two will focus on the subacute and chronic stroke, differentiating the home, outpatient, and community phases of rehabilitation, as well as examining the evaluation, evidence, and interventions in each setting to optimize independence for the patient.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comInterdisciplinary Approach To Stroke Rehabilitation: Outpatient, Home Health, And Community Rehabilitation PhaseThe unique relationship between the occupational and physical therapist when treating an acute, subacute, or chronic stroke diagnosis will be distinguished in this two-part series. Part two will focus on the subacute and chronic stroke, differentiating the home, outpatient, and community phases of rehabilitation, as well as examining the evaluation, evidence, and interventions in each setting to optimize independence for the patient.4609OnlinePT120M
The unique relationship between the occupational and physical therapist when treating an acute, subacute, or chronic stroke diagnosis will be distinguished in this two-part series. Part two will focus on the subacute and chronic stroke, differentiating the home, outpatient, and community phases of rehabilitation, as well as examining the evaluation, evidence, and interventions in each setting to optimize independence for the patient.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/wounds-in-patients-with-neurological-4357Wounds in Patients With Neurological ImpairmentsThis webinar introduces participants to the different types of wounds commonly found in patients with neurological impairments. It provides clinicians with basic treatment and risk reduction techniques to utilize in their practice settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comWounds in Patients With Neurological ImpairmentsThis webinar introduces participants to the different types of wounds commonly found in patients with neurological impairments. It provides clinicians with basic treatment and risk reduction techniques to utilize in their practice settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.4357OnlinePT120M
This webinar introduces participants to the different types of wounds commonly found in patients with neurological impairments. It provides clinicians with basic treatment and risk reduction techniques to utilize in their practice settings. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
