Empower Your Practice: Learn About Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Prevent Iatrogenic Harm

Digital illustration of a glowing human brain with neural connections.

Physical therapists play a critical role in the healthcare for people with motor subtypes of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Physical therapy is recognized as a first-line treatment for improving function and symptoms in individuals with FND. However, despite its effectiveness, people with FND often face challenges and misperceptions within the healthcare system and healthcare providers, leading to significant iatrogenic harm.

The Impact on Individuals with FND:

  • Misdiagnosis and Unnecessary Treatments: Misdiagnosing FND as another condition, such as epilepsy, can lead to harmful medications and procedures. For example, unnecessary anti-epileptic drugs can be teratogenic and toxic, causing physical and psychological harm.
  • Psychological Harm: Patients often face stigma and dismissal, which can exacerbate symptoms and hinder recovery. Terms like ‘pseudo’ have led to accusations of faking symptoms, further isolating individuals. Studies have identified distinct patterns of brain activity in individuals with FND, demonstrating that the brain functions differently in those with functional symptoms compared to those faking or feigning symptoms.
  • Delayed Diagnosis: Patients with FND often wait longer for a diagnosis, delaying access to treatment and potential recovery.

The Economic Reality of FND Care:

  • Rising Health Care Costs: The cost of FND care has significantly increased, surpassing $2 billion in 2019. This rise is largely driven by increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with FND and higher admission rates, particularly for functional seizures.
  • Limited Research Funding: Despite these high costs, NIH funding for FND remains the lowest compared to other neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This disparity highlights a need for increased investment in research to improve care and reduce costs.

Your Role as a Physical Therapist:

  • Early Recognition: You can play an important role by recognizing symptoms and performing clinical exams that identify rule-in signs for FND, such as the Hoover sign or tremor entrainment test. Identification of rule in signs and communication with the healthcare team helps prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments.
  • Developing Care Plans: By developing plans of care that promote independent self-management of symptoms, you can empower patients to take an active role in their recovery. This includes strategies to manage motor symptoms and improve functional outcomes.
  • Patient-Centered Care: Understanding FND helps provide compassionate care, reducing stigma and fostering trust. This approach is crucial for improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Why Should You Learn About FND?

  • Prevent Misdiagnosis: Early recognition of FND can prevent unnecessary treatments and interventions.
  • Address Stigma: Understanding FND helps provide compassionate care, reducing stigma and fostering trust.
  • Optimize Treatment: Learning about FND ensures timely interventions and better patient outcomes.
  • Enhance Patient-Centered Care: Recognizing the validity of FND symptoms empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery.

Join Our Course

Our comprehensive course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to address FND effectively. Learn how to:

  • Identify key signs and symptoms
  • Develop patient-centered communication strategies
  • Integrate FND into your practice for better outcomes

Empower Your Patients, Enhance Your Practice

Sign up today and become part of a community dedicated to improving care for individuals with FND. Together, let’s reduce iatrogenic harm and provide the best possible support for those who need it most. #FND #PhysicalTherapy #PatientFirst #IatrogenicHarmPrevention