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Unit of study_

PHTY2061: PT in Neurological Conditions A

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to develop students' ability to apply relevant theoretical and data­based scientific findings to clinical practice in the area of disease and trauma to the nervous system. This unit examines the pathology, impairments (weakness, loss of coordination, loss of sensation and spasticity as well as adaptations such as contracture), activity limitations (difficulty standing up, sitting and standing, walking, reaching and manipulating objects with the hand, rolling over and getting out of bed) and participation restrictions arising from health conditions of acute onset (stroke, traumatic brain injury and Guillain­Barré Syndrome). Students will learn to assess, train and measure outcome of everyday activities integrated within the rehabilitation team.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHTY2061
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BIOS1169 and BIOS1171 and (EXSS1029 OR EXSS2030) and (EXSS2025 OR EXSS3062) and PHTY1024
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mi-Joung Lee, mi-joung.lee@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Leanne Hassett, leanne.hassett@sydney.edu.au
Mi-Joung Lee, mi-joung.lee@sydney.edu.au
Natalie Allen, natalie.allen@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Serene Paul, serene.paul@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Digitally prescribed exercise program
Submission of home exercise program using physiotherapyexercises.com
5% Week 02
Due date: 20 Aug 2021 at 17:00
2 exercises
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO9
Skills-based evaluation Practical exam 1
Practical exam
20% Week 05 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7
Skills-based evaluation Practical exam 2
Practical exam
25% Week 10 10minutes (plus 10 minutes reading time)
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO12 LO9 LO3 LO2 LO1 LO7
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Written exam
Written exam with non-written elements
50% Week 11
Due date: 25 Oct 2021 at 10:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Digitally prescribed exercise program (5%) Individual Assignment 
  • Practical examination 1 (20%) Skilled based assessment 
  • Practical examination 2 (25%) Viva and Skilled based assessment
  • Written examination (50%) Final Exam, Type A

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 1. Introduction: acute conditions with the potential to recover (stroke, TBI, GBS); 2. Evidence-based practice: use of clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, clinical trials in stroke, TBI, GBS; 3. Activity: sitting, standing - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 4. Activity: delivery of rehabilitation Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
1. Activity: assessment of acute conditions with the potential to recover (stroke, TBI, GBS); 2. Activity: training rolling over, sitting up, sitting, standing Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 01 1. Activity: standing up - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Activity: walking - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 3. Activity: reaching and manipulation - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 4. Impairment: weakness as a result of loss of muscle activation - biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings; Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11
1. Activity: training standing up, walking, and reaching and manipulation; 2. Impairment: increasing strength in paralysed or very weak muscles (eliminate gravity, decrease friction, shorten lever) Tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO13
Week 02 1. Impairment: increasing strength using electromyography biofeedback and electrical stimulation - background principles and applications for intervention; 2. Health condition: mechanisms of GBS; 3. Health condition: mechanisms and medical management of traumatic brain injury; 4. Participation: life after stroke, TBI, GBS guest Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
1. Impairment: increasing strength in paralysed or very weak muscles (background and practical for EMG biofeedback, ES, EMG-triggered ES); 2. Activity: practice of training activites. Tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 03 1. Health condition: mechanisms and medical management of stroke; 2. Impairment: loss of coordination - biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Impairment: Increasing coordination (in preparation for sitting up over the side of the bed, sitting, and standing up) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 04 1. Impairment: loss of sensation (kinaesthetic, tactile) - biomechanics of the impairment, clinical implications of research findings, and intervention; 2. Impairment: loss of sensation (vestibular, visual) - nature of the impairment, clinical implications of research findings, and intervention Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Impairment: increasing coordination (in preparation for standing and walking) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Revision and supervised practice session Practical (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO12
Week 06 1. Impairment: spasticity - biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Impairment: decreasing spasticity - assessment and intervention Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11
Impairment: increasing coordination (in preparation for reaching and manipulation) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 07 1. Impairment: secondary impairments after brain damage (contracture, subluxation, swelling) - biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Impairment: secondary impairments after brain damage (loss of cardiorespiratory fitness) - physiology of the impairment, clinical implications of research findings Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Impairment: assessment of spasticity and prevention of secondary impairment (contracture, pain, subluxation, swelling, loss of cardiorespiratory fitness) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 08 1. Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have potential to recover (part 1: assessment); 2. Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have potential to recover (part 2: intervention) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO14
Activity: Clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 1: assessment) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 09 1. Impairment: non-motor impairments (perceptual-cognitive) - nature of the impairment, clinical implications of research findings and considerations for training; 2. Impairment: non-motor impairments (language and behavioral) - nature of the impairment, clinical implications of research findings and considerations for training Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 2: intervention) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13
Final revision and Q & A session Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of tutorials for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School, or Professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School, or Professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate tutorial attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 80%. Note: Tutorial 6 on electrical stimulation must be attended prior to practical examination 1. Students are expected to attend all lectures in this unit of study. Lecture recordings will be made available where possible to assist with revision and study, but should not be considered a substitute for physically attending the lecture.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the impairments arising from neurological conditions of acute onset
  • LO2. assess the patient’s motor performance of everyday actions in terms of the presence of adaptive behaviours
  • LO3. analyse the contribution of primary and secondary, motor and non-motor impairments to activity limitations
  • LO4. write a SMART goal at the participation and activity level
  • LO5. demonstrate ways of increasing strength in paralysed and very weak muscles
  • LO6. demonstrate ways of increasing coordination in preparation for training motor performance
  • LO7. demonstrate ways of training and promoting flexibility of motor performance
  • LO8. demonstrate ways to prevent/reduce secondary impairments
  • LO9. describe ways to promote flexibility of performance
  • LO10. describe ways to increase the amount of practice both within and outside of therapy
  • LO11. evaluate tools commonly used to measure the outcome of neurological rehabilitation
  • LO12. describe and demonstrate EBP in neurological physiotherapy
  • LO13. outline the management of motor and sensory impairments
  • LO14. outline the principles of training motor performance in the presence of non-motor impairments such as language, perceptual-cognitive, and behavioural impairments.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
LO2
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
LO3
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
LO4
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.4. advocate for clients and their rights to health care
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.3. deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
LO5
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
LO6
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
LO7
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
LO8
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
7.2. lead others effectively and efficiently within relevant professional, ethical and legal frameworks
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.4. advocate for clients and their rights to health care
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
National Standard of Competency for Architects - AACA
1.1. Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project.
2.1. Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project.
2.3. Evaluation of factors influencing and impacting on project cost.
3.1. Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose.
3.2. Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options.
4.3. Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design
5.1. Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief.
6.1. Identification and adoption of a strategy, program and process of documentation integrated through all project stages to enable project delivery.
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
2.1 A comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.3 A recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1 A use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2 A record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.1 A assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3 A efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
6.1 A use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
8.C A knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts and principles relevant to physiotherapy practice with clients across the lifespan, from birth to end of life care, who present with one or more problems such as pain and/or impairment or dysfunction contributing to impairment, activity limitations and participation restriction

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Add in an online assessment task to help develop student confidence with using digital online resources in practice and more consolidation tasks. Also, incorporate additional case studies.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.