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333: Gadgets, Grasp, and Goals: Jenna Barber, MOT, OTR/L, BCPR, Talks Hand Recovery

Aug 31, 2026

How much hand function can come back after a neurologic injury, and how do you know whether to remediate or compensate? On this episode, host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS, talks with Jenna Barber, MOT, OTR/L, BCPR, an occupational therapist who specializes in neurorehabilitation across acute care, inpatient, and outpatient settings. In the show you’ll learn how to assess fine motor deficits through activity analysis and standardized testing, the difference between remediation and compensation and when to use either. We’ll also discuss favorite tools like FES, focal vibration, and rocker knives, how to keep the non-dominant hand and shoulder involved even when it's not the primary focus, and discuss emerging tech including MusicGlove, Vivistim, Bioxtreme, VR, and other devices and their place in rehab.

Follow Jenna for tips, tricks and giveaways at @Neuro_OTPT_Nerds on Instagram