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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.

For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance

For information on our On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand

Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.

Once the program is pre-approved; For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.

Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.

Note on Non-ATRA Activities:

Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.

Sensory-Specific Adaptation in Postural Control Within a Recreational Therapy Balance Program for Parkinson’s Disease

Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM–7:00 PM PDT
Poster Gallery
Session Description

Postural instability is a primary contributor to falls and reduced functional independence in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the way balance changes over time under different sensory conditions remains insufficiently understood. This session presents findings from a longitudinal analysis examining how postural stability and sway respond to repeated exposure to visual and surface-based balance challenges. Using data collected from individuals with PD across multiple testing sessions, linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the effects of time, vision (eyes open vs. eyes closed), and surface condition (firm vs. foam) on both global and directional measures of postural control. Results demonstrate that balance outcomes change differently depending on surface condition, with patterns indicating improvement over time under unstable (foam) conditions despite greater initial difficulty, while performance under stable (firm) conditions remains unchanged or declines slightly. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between absolute performance and longitudinal adaptation when interpreting balance outcomes. The session will translate these findings into practical implications for Recreational Therapy (RT) and related clinical settings. Attendees will examine how sensory-specific challenges can be incorporated into balance programming to engage proprioceptive and multisensory processes, and how longitudinal data can inform treatment planning beyond single time-point assessments. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting research findings within the limits of observational designs and applying evidence-based reasoning to clinical decision-making. Participants will leave with an improved understanding of how balance responds to sensory manipulation over time, how to interpret interaction effects in longitudinal data, and how to integrate structured balance challenges into RT practice in a safe and purposeful manner.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Interpret longitudinal balance data by identifying and explaining Time × Surface interaction effects in postural stability and sway outcomes in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. 2. Differentiate between immediate performance differences and longitudinal adaptation when evaluating balance outcomes under firm and unstable surface conditions. 3. Apply sensory-specific balance challenges (e.g., foam and vision manipulation) to design or modify Recreational Therapy interventions aimed at improving postural control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Community
Older Adults
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
Research
Target Audience
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals

Primary Presenter

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Stephan Acuna, Oklahoma State University
Biographical Information

Stephan M. Acuña, M.S., ATRIC, is a Ph.D. student in Health, Leisure, and Human Performance at Oklahoma State University in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation. His work focuses on recreational therapy, adapted physical activity, and community-based rehabilitation programming for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Acuña has contributed to research and practice-based projects involving balance, mobility, adapted exercise, and community participation, including work with older adults and individuals with Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other physical disabilities. His current work at Oklahoma State University includes assisting with community-based balance and recreational therapy programming, outcome assessment, and intervention implementation. In addition to his research experience, Acuña has clinical and instructional experience in adapted physical activity, therapeutic aquatic exercise, warm water therapy, and undergraduate teaching. His professional interests center on translating rehabilitation and movement science evidence into accessible, meaningful, and sustainable recreational therapy services.

Co-Presenter/Panelists

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Kelley McCubbin, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Credentials

PhD, CTRS/L

Biographical Information

Dr. Kelley McCubbin, PhD, CTRS/L, is a Teaching Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University. Their work focuses on child and adolescent mental health, childhood trauma, evidence-based practice, and partnerships with public school districts to examine the impact of Recreational Therapy clinical services on students.

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William Reed Holt, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Credentials

PhD, CTRS/L, ATRIC

Biographical Information

Reed Holt is a practitioner whose work focuses on community-based recreational therapy, Parkinson’s disease, adapted programming, and outcomes for individuals across clinical and educational settings. His published work includes studies on recreational therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and parent and teacher perceptions of recreational therapy’s impact on preschool children.

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Chase Decker, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Credentials

B.S.

Biographical Information

Chase Decker is a master’s student at Oklahoma State University whose work focuses on recreational therapy, adapted physical activity, and community-based rehabilitation programming. Her research interests include balance, mobility, functional outcomes, and evidence-informed recreational therapy services for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

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Jungyu Lee, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Credentials

PhD, CTRS/L, ATRIC

Biographical Information

Jungyu Lee, Ph.D., CTRS/L, ATRIC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Oklahoma State University whose work focuses on recreational therapy, balance training, gait, fall risk, and functional outcomes among older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions. His scholarship includes studies on balance-based recreational therapy, postural stability in Parkinson’s disease, adult day care programming, gait recovery after stroke, and health-related mobility outcomes across diverse populations.

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Dr. Tim Passmore, CTRS/L, FDRT, Oklahoma State University
Credentials

Ed.D., CTRS/L, FDRT, ATRA Fellow

Biographical Information

Dr. Tim Passmore, EdD, CTRS/L, FDRT, is an interim head, professor at Oklahoma State University. His APDA-funded research evaluates community-based recreational therapy balance programs for individuals with Parkinson's disease across rural Oklahoma.

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