Skills Workshop Descriptions

Registration for the IAPRD 2026 Skills Workshops will open 15 July. All attendees who are registered for the Congress will receive an email with a link to register for one of the workshops below. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

These workshops will focus on the following (full descriptions below):

• Skills Workshop I – Fundamentals of Deep Brain Stimulation Programming: A Practical Workshop for Beginners and Intermediates
• Skills Workshop II – All About Pumps—Initiating and Troubleshooting Percutaneous and Subcutaneous Infusion Therapies
• Skills Workshop III – Getting Started on Ultrasound-Guided Neurotoxin Injections: Focus on Neck and Upper Limb

Skills Workshop I

Fundamentals of Deep Brain Stimulation Programming: A Practical Workshop for Beginners and Intermediates

Moderator: Joohi Jimenez-Shahed (USA)
Francesco Cavallieri (Italy)
Genko Oyama (Japan)
Delaram Safarpour (USA)

This workshop is designed to build confidence and competence in DBS programming for clinicians at the beginner to intermediate levels. Participants will work through practical approaches to initial programming, systematic troubleshooting, and optimization of stimulation parameters for common motor complications. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between anatomy, stimulation settings, and clinical response. Interactive discussion will highlight common pitfalls and effective strategies for improving patient outcomes.

Skills Workshop II

All About Pumps—Initiating and Troubleshooting Percutaneous and Subcutaneous Infusion Therapies

Moderator: Maja Trošt (Slovenia)
Filip Bergquist (Sweden)
Onanong Phokaewvarangkul (Thailand)
Katarzyna Śmilowska (Poland)

This experiential workshop focuses on the practical aspects of initiating and managing infusion therapies for Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Participants will review patient selection, initiation protocols, dose titration, and day-to-day troubleshooting of both percutaneous and subcutaneous systems. Common complications—including device issues and adverse effects—will be addressed in this session, with the goal of equipping clinicians with the skills needed to confidently integrate pump therapies into routine clinical practice.

Skills Workshop III

Getting Started on Ultrasound-Guided Neurotoxin Injections: Focus on Neck and Upper Limb

Moderator: Anna Castagna (Italy)
Philippe Salles (Chile)
Raymond Rosales (Philippines)

This workshop introduces ultrasound-guided techniques for botulinum neurotoxin injections, with a practical focus on cervical and limb musculature. Participants will learn how ultrasound enhances accuracy, safety, and treatment efficacy compared with landmark-based approaches. Faculty will review relevant anatomy, probe positioning, and needle visualization techniques. The session is designed for clinicians seeking to expand or refine their injection skills using modern guidance tools.