NeuroRehab Team
Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
Continuing education is more than a box to check for licensure—it’s a powerful tool for improving patient care, advancing your career and staying at the forefront of neurorehabilitation. In an era where evidence‑based practice evolves rapidly, therapists must constantly update their knowledge and skills. A 2024 scoping review on continuous professional development (CPD) found that CPD aims to preserve and expand knowledge, skills and performance while cultivating the personal and professional attributes needed to deliver safe and effective services. By investing in ongoing learning, you not only enhance clinical proficiency but also open doors to leadership opportunities and career advancement.
Continuing education isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s an investment in quality care and professional growth. Enrolling in new courses exposes therapists to the latest research, techniques and technologies. By staying current, practitioners can improve strength, mobility and function for their clients. Ongoing education also supports professional competence and fosters confidence in delivering high‑quality care. Networking with peers and instructors through CEU courses creates mentorship opportunities and broadens your professional community. Finally, continuing education enhances job satisfaction and retention, ensuring therapists remain engaged and motivated in their careers.
NeuroRehabCEUs.com, powered by Salia Rehab, hosts a curated catalogue of free courses accredited for AOTA CEUs. Each course is self‑paced, includes video instruction and reading materials, and awards CEU credit upon passing a quiz with a score of 80 % or higher. You have 90 days to complete each course. Below is an overview of these free offerings, along with internal links to register.
CEUs / hours: 0.2 CEUs / 2 contact hours
Format: Online self‑study (video + slides)
Instructor: Mike Studer, PT, DPT – internationally recognized neurologic and geriatric physical therapist
Course link: https://www.neurorehabceus.com/courses/this-shoulder-has-a-brain
This course bridges neurophysiology and biomechanics to help clinicians rehabilitate painful shoulders. Dr. Studer explores motor learning principles, neuroplasticity and the autonomic nervous system. Learning outcomes include integrating central and autonomic systems for pain‑free shoulder function, identifying inefficiencies in outdated approaches and maximizing therapeutic dosage. Clinicians also learn to leverage accessories and evidence‑based practices to improve activities of daily living (ADLs), occupational performance and sports participation.
CEUs / hours: 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 contact hours
Format: Online self‑study (video + required reading)
Instructor: Jessica Rinaldi, OTR/L – occupational therapist specializing in stroke rehabilitation
Designed around a systematic review and a discussion of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), this course delivers practical strategies to help low‑level stroke survivors regain arm and hand function. Participants explore repetitive task practice, identify when advanced interventions like VNS are appropriate and analyze video case studies and treatment progressions. Learning outcomes include listing clinical and functional limitations associated with severe upper‑limb hemiparesis, recognizing evidence‑based treatment techniques and modifying ADL tasks to maximize use of the impaired limb.
CEUs / hours: 0.1 CEUs / 1 contact hour
Format: Online self‑study (video + slides)
Instructor: Lauren Samani, PTA – physical therapist assistant with extensive neurological experience
Course link: https://www.neurorehabceus.com/courses/introduction-to-vibration-therapy
This course reviews the physiological mechanisms of vibration therapy and its applications for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Clinicians learn about focal versus whole‑body vibration, indications and contraindications, different forms of vibration and current research. Outcomes include understanding neurophysiological responses, identifying patient populations who may benefit and integrating vibration devices into clinical practice and ADL training.
CEUs / hours: 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 contact hours
Format: Online self‑study (video + required reading)
Instructor: Annika Rydgard, PT
This course teaches clinicians how to help patients with hand weakness perform ADLs using assistive and adaptive devices. It covers populations affected by hand impairment, traditional treatment options and the latest assistive technologies. Participants learn to identify candidates for assistive technology, distinguish between low‑tech aids and advanced robotic gloves and integrate devices into occupation‑based interventions while maintaining client‑centred care. Learning outcomes include recalling diagnoses that necessitate assistive technology, identifying equipment options and using outcome measures to track functional gains.
CEUs / hours: 0.2 CEUs / 2 contact hours
Format: Online self‑study (video + slides)
Instructor: Patti Andrich, MA, OTR/L, COVT, CINPP, FNAP – internationally recognized vision therapist and founder of the Sensory Foundations Program
Course link: https://www.neurorehabceus.com/courses/vision-therapy-what-every-ot-should-know
This course reviews common visual pathologies, their functional consequences and therapeutic technologies. Clinicians learn the role of neuro‑optometrists and ophthalmologists, explore strategies for increasing compliance in vision training and discover assistive technology that improves ADL performance. Learning outcomes include understanding medical terminology, recognizing new treatment options, recalling strategies to increase compliance and identifying vision‑assistive devices.
CEUs / hours: 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 contact hours
Format: Online self‑study (video + slides)
Instructor: Mike Studer, PT, DPT
Course link: https://www.neurorehabceus.com/courses/neuroplasticity-of-cognition
This course addresses the rising prevalence of cognitive health concerns in our aging society. Dr. Studer discusses evidence‑based interventions for stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, concussion and Alzheimer’s disease. Participants explore whether cognitive deficits can improve through neuroplasticity, which diagnoses respond best to cognitive interventions, how to use dual‑task training beyond fall prevention and how to dose and progress cognitive tasks. Learning outcomes include identifying executive‑function parameters tied to ADLs, listing activities that promote neuroplasticity and enhancing patient engagement.
The following table‑style summary provides a quick reference to these free CEU courses. For a deeper dive into each topic, explore the course links provided.
• This Shoulder Has a Brain – 0.2 CEUs / 2 hr. Integrate brain‑body connections for shoulder rehab; neuroplasticity and motor learning; optimize dosage and evidence‑based practices.
• Evidence‑Based Treatment Strategies – 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 hr. Apply repetitive task practice and vagus nerve stimulation for severe upper‑limb hemiparesis; modify ADLs and analyze video case studies.
• Introduction to Vibration Therapy – 0.1 CEUs / 1 hr. Understand mechanisms of vibration therapy; indications and contraindications; patient populations; practical integration into rehab.
• Enhancing Upper Limb Function – 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 hr. Use assistive devices for hand weakness; differentiate low‑tech versus robotic aids; integrate technology into occupation‑based training.
• Vision Therapy: What Every OT Should Know – 0.2 CEUs / 2 hr. Review visual pathologies and consequences; explore therapeutic technologies; improve compliance with vision training; identify assistive devices.
• Neuroplasticity of Cognition – 0.15 CEUs / 1.5 hr. Apply cognitive neuroplasticity for various diagnoses; use dual‑task training; dose and progress cognitive tasks; enhance patient engagement.
Choosing the right CEU course involves more than clicking “Enroll.” Consider these tips to maximize your learning:
• Align courses with your goals. Identify your knowledge gaps—whether in shoulder biomechanics, stroke rehabilitation or cognitive health—and choose courses accordingly.
• Engage actively. Take notes, reflect on how concepts apply to your patients and implement new techniques in practice. Interactive programs and simulations enhance engagement and deepen learning.
• Network and seek mentorship. Connect with instructors and peers via discussion forums or social media. Networking can lead to mentorship opportunities that bridge theory and practice.
• Combine free and paid courses. Use the free courses as a foundation and consider supplementing them with hands‑on workshops or advanced certifications when appropriate. A comprehensive continuing education plan should include lecture, lab and mentoring components.
• Stay organized and document your credits. Keep track of CEU certificates for license renewal. Many states have specific CEU requirements; consult your state board or the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (https://www.fsbpt.org) for current guidelines.
Advancements in technology are reshaping how therapists deliver care. A 2025 review on immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions in physical rehabilitation reported improvements in strength, dexterity, range of motion and coordination, along with enhanced patient engagement compared to conventional therapy pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These findings underscore the promise of VR‑based interventions for motivating patients and driving neuroplastic changes. Similarly, innovation in neuromodulation holds exciting potential. The MicroTransponder Vivistim® system—the first FDA‑approved vagus nerve stimulator for stroke rehabilitation—delivers bursts of stimulation paired with task‑specific therapy and has been shown to reduce upper‑extremity motor deficits amerihealthcaritasoh.comamerihealthcaritasoh.com. However, current guidelines note that evidence remains moderate and more research is needed. By enrolling in courses that cover VR, functional electrical stimulation and VNS, clinicians can stay at the cutting edge of practice and learn how to integrate these tools safely and effectively.
Continuing education is a catalyst for clinical excellence, professional growth and patient satisfaction. Free CEU courses from NeuroRehabCEUs.com provide an accessible way to update your skills, explore emerging therapies and earn valuable contact hours. Whether you’re interested in shoulder biomechanics, severe upper‑limb impairment, vibration therapy, assistive devices, vision therapy or cognitive neuroplasticity, these courses offer evidence‑based knowledge and practical strategies. By investing time in these courses and embracing innovation, you enhance your own competence while contributing to the advancement of neurorehabilitation.
Ready to elevate your neurorehab practice? Explore all free courses today and take the next step in your professional journey: https://www.neurorehabceus.com/collections/free-ceus
[1] Capriotti, A., et al. “Virtual Reality: A New Frontier of Physical Rehabilitation.” Sensors, 2025. This review found that immersive VR improved strength, dexterity, range of motion and coordination while increasing engagement compared to conventional therapypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
[2] AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio Clinical Policy. “Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Post‑Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation.” June 2025. The policy describes the FDA‑approved Vivistim® system and notes that paired VNS moderately improves upper‑extremity motor function but that evidence remains limited and mixedamerihealthcaritasoh.comamerihealthcaritasoh.com.
[3] Al‑Omary, H., et al. “Implementing learning into practice from continuous professional development activities: a scoping review.” BMC Medical Education, 2024. This scoping review defines CPD as preserving and expanding knowledge, skills and performance while cultivating attributes necessary for delivering safe and effective services and outlines stages for integrating learning into practice
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