Duke Physical and Occupational Therapy provides a broad spectrum of neuroscience-oriented therapy programs.

Physical and occupational therapists play an active role in the Neuroscience Center at Duke. Many of the patients admitting with neurologic impairments are in need of ongoing rehabilitation.

Our team is trained to provide intervention to a vast array of patients including:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumors (operative and non-operative)
• Neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Our therapists at the accredited Duke Stroke Center have been trained to apply the NIH-stroke scale into their practice and implement standardized tests such as the Fugel-Meyer, Tinetti, Berg, Short Blessed Cognitive Assessment to drive treatment intervention strategies.

Neurological Rehabilitation Services

Our physical and occupational therapists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of individuals with a variety of neuromuscular disorders and diseases who may have limitations in any of the following areas:

• Strength and motor control
• Fine motor control
• Balance and coordination
• Muscular and cardiovascular endurance
• Flexibility and range of motion
• Activities of daily living
• Perceptual skills
• Cognitive processing and integration
• Sensory processing and integration
• Movement strategies

Examples of such diagnoses include:

• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Brain injury
• Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Muscular dystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Brain tumor
• Post-polio syndrome
• Upper extremity amputation
• Lower extremity amputation
• Chronic illnesses
• Multiple traumas

Physical Therapy Services

Duke physical therapists perform comprehensive neurological and musculoskeletal-based evaluations and provide a course of treatment directed toward specific, attainable goals.

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive examinations to establish baseline function and document change over time
• Treatment of all neurological conditions: congenital, newly acquired, or chronic
• Duke Axial Mobility Program for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
• Assessment of functional activities (rolling, standing, transfers) and instruction in the use of optimal movement strategies
• Falls’ risk assessment and prevention and vestibular rehab
• Prostheses and orthoses biomechanically-based assessment, recommendations, and training
• Mobility equipment assessment (for power or manual wheelchair)
• Letters of medical necessity
• Assistive device recommendations and trials for walkers, crutches, canes, and other devices.

Therapeutic Pool Program

We offer programs that take advantage of our therapeutic pool. The pool is fully accessible and is kept at approximately 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

Learn more about Duke Physical and Occupational Therapy's aquatic physical therapy program.

Occupational Therapy Services

Occupational therapists perform comprehensive neurological and musculoskeletal-based evaluations and provide a course of treatment directed toward specific, attainable goals to improve functional outcomes.

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive examinations to establish base line function and document change over time
• Treatment of all neurological conditions: congenital, newly acquired, or chronic
• Upper extremity rehabilitation (Gross and Fine motor control)
• Assessment and treatment of functional activities (daily living activities, homemaking, functional cognition, community re-entry, and use of assistive devices)
• Assessment and instruction in adaptive equipment
• Cognitive and visual-perceptual assessments and treatment
• Driving evaluations: Visual acuity, visual-perceptual skills, memory and cognitive skills, reaction time, physical functioning, understanding of traffic signs and road regulations
• Upper extremity prostheses: biomechanically based assessment, recommendations, and training
• Upper extremity splinting and orthoses evaluation and fabrication
• Adaptive parenting techniques

Our Philosophy

Our staff is committed to providing quality care for you or your family member in combination with the physician and other involved community agencies.

We work closely with you and your family or caregiver to address your needs in order to attain your goals and achieve optimal function.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment for neuroscience physical and occupational therapy or for more information, call 919-684-2445.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710