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Neurological physical therapy (NPTL 401): Course Outline(NPTL 401)

The branch of medicine or biology that deals with the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.

Course description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the assessment and intervention procedures used with persons with various neurological pathologies. The focus of this course will be on neurological problems acquired in adulthood. Theories of motor control and motor learning will be studied and applied to assessment and treatment. Laboratories will be used to strengthen evaluation and intervention skills, especially the analysis of movement as well as planning, practicing, and modifying treatment. Clinical competence in the evaluation and treatment of persons with neurological impairments is to be developed. It will focus on medical terminology, clinical examination, evaluation, comparing contemporary, and traditional interventions and the impact of evolving technology in this area.

Course contents

Applied anatomy and physiology of the nervous system

  • Functional and applied anatomy of the Brain, Spinal cord, CNS Support Structures, Neurons, Peripheral nervous system, autonomic Nervous System, and Spinal Level Reflexes

Neurological examination

  • Perform assessment of patients with various neurological pathologies.
  • Conduct & document clinical examination (History, System review, Test, and measures, used in the standardized assessment procedure.
  • Evaluate and Analyze clinical assessment procedures to construct a problem list, long-term Goals, Short term goals, Treatment plan, Progression, and discharge planning.

Interventions

Different theories of Motor Control and Motor Learning, their limitation,s and clinical implications.

Neurodevelopmental (NDT) approaches and their clinical implications in the management of patients with neurological pathologies such as;

  • Roods approach
  • Bobath approach
  • Kabat, Knott, Voss (Proprioception neuro facilitation PNF Approach).
  • Burn storm Approach

Contemporary approaches and their clinical implications in the management of patients with neurological pathologies such as;

  • Motor Control / Motor Learning Approach
  • Neural plasticity/ adaptability
  • Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)
  • Modified Constrained Induced Movement Therapy (CMT)
  • Task-Related Training Approach
  • Compensatory Training Approach
  • Normal Reach, Grasp and Manipulation.

Construct treatment strategies to improve, strength, Balance, coordination, locomotion and gait, skill acquisition, postural control, mobility functions. Role of sensory system in improving motor control and sensory rehabilitation.

Neurological dysfunctions

  • Assess and manage Stroke, types of stroke, problems associated with stroke.
  • Assess and manage traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Types and severity of Problems associated with TBI.
  • Assess and manage Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Complete and incomplete SCI, clinical Syndromes and problems associated with SCI.
  • Assess and manage brain and spinal cord disorders such as;
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Cerebellar Disorders
  • Parkinson‘s Disease (PD)
  • Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
  • Poly Neuropathies.
  • Post-polio Syndrome (PPS)
  • Vestibular Disorders
  • Cranial Nerves Disorders
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Spinal muscular atrophy

Peripheral nerve disorders and management

  • Peripheral nerve structure; nerve structure, nervous system mobility characteristics.
  • Common sites of injury to peripheral nerves, impaired nerve function and recovery process.
  • Neural tension disorders and their managements.
  • Neuromuscular disorders involving impaired nerve function such as:
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Compression in tunnel of Guyon
  • Complex regional pain syndrome: Reflex sympathetic Dystrophy and causalgia.

Learning objectives

  • Demonstrate assessment of patients with various neurological pathologies.
  • Explain various intervention strategies & procedures to manage patients with different neurological pathologies.
  • Describe motor control & motor learning theories and their applications with regard to the contemporary management of neurological problems.
  • Describe motor control & neurodevelopmental approaches of interventions. Discuss and demonstrate how to manage patients with various neurological pathologies.

Recommended Books

Lab work

  • In the laboratory sessions, neurological physiotherapy skills will be demonstrated and practiced.
  • The students will be assigned various reflective case studies related to neurological rehabilitation.