PHTY41140 Advanced Neurology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module builds on students’ foundational knowledge of neuroanatomy, physiology and assessment of a patient with a neurological disorder.
This module addresses pathological conditions of both the central and peripheral nervous systems in adults and children, including the normal milestones for development in children.
Clinical reasoning and manual proficiencies will be advanced in this module to equip students with the skills to formulate and effectively deliver treatment programmes for a wide range of complex neurological conditions. The module will also enable students to critical appraise the current literature and evaluate the use of evidence-based practice in contemporary neurological rehabilitation. The module will develop an advanced understanding of the role of adjuncts to treatment (positioning, pharmacotherapy, electrotherapy / physical agents / orthotics / splinting) and the multi-disciplinary team to create students who can challenge and formulate all aspects of neurological rehabilitation while working with adults and children in diverse socio cultural environments (including hospital, community and primary care) nationally and internationally. The module will include case-study based clinical reasoning sessions using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework, to show students how to: assess patients and plan treatment accordingly, setting SMART short and long-term goals; use outcome measures to assess effectiveness of treatment; modify treatment if necessary and know when referral to another discipline is indicated.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Comprehensively relate pathologies of the peripheral and central nervous systems to the clinical presentations of paediatric and adult populations in neurology.
2. Evaluate assessment findings to plan safe and effective treatments including goal setting, appropriate outcome measure selection, appropriate referral to members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and employing advanced clinical reasoning skills using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework in neurology.
3. Administer facilitation and handling techniques and/or physical agents or appliances effectively to ensure safe and competent practice including modulation of tone and facilitation of normal movement patterns.
4. Understand the role of exercise in the management and prevention in chronic neurological diseases and aging, demonstrating competence and safety in exercise testing and prescription for individuals with neurological disability and/or clinical frailty.
5. Evaluate treatment paradigms and other factors affecting motor control, recovery and motor relearning following injury to the central nervous system (CNS) in neurological rehabilitation.
6. Appraise the best available evidence in the management of neurological diseases and apply key findings to enable safe and effective physiotherapy practice across a variety of clinical environments.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include:
• Peripheral nerve injury
Mechanisms; Wallarian degeneration/regeneration; Advanced sensory assessment techniques; Physiotherapy management; Peripheral nerve injuries including Radial / ulnar / median / common peroneal injuries and Facial Palsy

• Neurological Pathologies
Neuromuscular conditions: Motor Neurone Disease ; Polyneuropathies including Guillan Barre; Ataxias – Cerebellar, Sensory & Vestibular; including Friedrich’s Ataxia; Traumatic Brain Injury; Myopathies; Spinal Cord Injury; Traumatic brain injury; Neurosurgery including brain tumours, epilepsy, SAH, cranial surgery
• Paediatric Neurology:
Normal Development of the Brain; Developmental Milestones; Common conditions in paediatrics: Cerebral Palsy; Spina Bifida; Muscular Dystrophy
• Clinical exercise in neurology
Exercise prescription and training post stroke; Falls prevention theory and clinical exercise
• NMES
• Treatment of hypotonia & hypertonia (identifying compensations in the trunk): Handling skills
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Upper limb rehabilitation
• Management of hemiplegic shoulder pain
• Lower limb rehabilitation
• Gait training and re-education
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Theoretical constructs in Neurological Rehabilitation
• Neuroplasticity
• Motor control theories and motor learning
• The role of the Multidisciplinary team in patient management in neurology
• International Classification of Functioning (ICF)
• Case studies in Neurology using ICF
• Post neurosurgery following AVM excision / TBI: Early ICU; late rehabilitation
• Principles of splinting and positioning / serial casting practical

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Practical

20

Specified Learning Activities

28

Autonomous Student Learning

130

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will use a mix of teaching approaches to best ensure the learning outcomes are achieved. These include:
Lectures
Small group work
Practical skills labs
Case-based learning
Self-directed E-learning
Presentations

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

You are eligible to take this module if you have registered to the professional Masters in Physiotherapy Programme and have passed your Introduction to Neurology Theory and Practice Module


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Neurology (PHTY40900)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Evidence-based neurorehabilitation for an assigned condition/ intervention inquiry and group presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Examination: End of trimester written exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

40

Practical Examination: Assessment of practical neurorehabilitation assessment and treatment skills 1 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Graded Yes

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

How will Feedback be Delivered? - Case- studies/ Formative quizzes & Self-assessment activities throughout module - Individual feedback to students post-assessment on request - General pointers and feedback to the class overall

Name Role
Dr Caitriona Fingleton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Laura McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gráinne O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Mary O'Mahoney Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
Spring