Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BIOS1169 and BIOS1171 and (EXSS1029 OR EXSS2030) and (EXSS2025 OR EXSS3062) and PHTY1024
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

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
	Lina Goh, lina.goh@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Sarah Veli-Gold, sarah.veli-gold@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final written exam Short answers and MCQs	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Practical exam 2 Assessment of clinical reasoning and clinical skills	25%	STUVAC	10minutes (plus 10 minutes reading time)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Digitally prescribed exercise program Submission of home exercise program using physiotherapyexercises.com	5%	Week 03 Due date: 19 Aug 2023 at 00:00	2 exercises
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Practical exam 1 Assessment of clinical skills	20%	Week 07	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
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;	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Activity: assessment of acute conditions with the potential to recover (stroke, TBI, GBS);	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Activity: sitting, standing - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Activity: delivery of rehabilitation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Activity: training sitting up over the side of the bed, sitting, standing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	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;	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Activity: training standing up and walking	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	1. Activity: reaching and manipulation - biomechanics of abnormal and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Health condition: mechanisms of GBS	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Activity: training reaching and manipulation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	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)
Week 05	Impairment: Increasing coordination (in preparation for sitting up over the side of the bed, sitting, and standing up)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	1. Health condition: mechanisms and medical management of traumatic brain injury; 2. Participation: life after stroke, TBI, GBS guest	Lecture (2 hr)
	Impairment: increasing coordination (in preparation for standing and walking)	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Revision and supervised practice session	Practical (1 hr)
Week 08	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)
Week 08	Impairment: increasing coordination (in preparation for reaching and manipulation)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	1. Impairment: weakness as a result of loss of muscle activation – biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Impairment: increasing strength using electromyography biofeedback and electrical stimulation - background principles and applications for intervention;	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Impairment: increasing strength in paralysed or very weak muscles (eliminate gravity, decrease friction, shorten lever)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	1. Impairment: spasticity - biomechanics of the impairment and clinical implications of research findings; 2. Impairment: decreasing spasticity - assessment and intervention	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Impairment: increasing strength in paralysed or very weak muscles (background and practical for EMG biofeedback, ES, EMG-triggered ES);	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	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)
Week 11	Impairment: assessment of spasticity and prevention of secondary impairment (contracture, pain, subluxation, swelling)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	1. Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 1: assessment); 2. Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 2: intervention)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Activity: Clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 1: assessment)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	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)
	Activity: clinical reasoning for neurological conditions that have the potential to recover (part 2: intervention)	Tutorial (2 hr)
	Revision and supervised practice session	Practical (1 hr)

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 9 (Week 10) on electrical stimulation must be attended to check the competency of using a motor electrical stimulation. 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

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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.
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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.
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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 - 1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life 8.A. knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology, pathology, other biomedical sciences relevant to human health and function, and psychosocial and other determinants of health encompassing cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological and other body systems within the context of physiotherapy and best available research evidence 8.B. knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts and principles relevant to physiotherapy practice including evidence-based practice 8.D. knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts and principles relevant to physiotherapy practice across acute, rehabilitation and community practice in a range of environments and settings
	Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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		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
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
4.1		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.
8.C		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

Responding to student feedback

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.

Additional information

Canvas:

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHTY2061: PT in Neurological Conditions A

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect