This course provides an in-depth exploration of the assessment and intervention for adults with neurological conditions. The focus of this course is on common pathologies, assessment and movement analysis, and manifestations of neurological impairments. Evidence-based application of standardized outcome measures is also emphasized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model.
Students work in small groups with participants from the community to design and modify customized exercise programs based on client presentation, goals and current evidence for best practice in exercise prescription. Students apply communication, learning and teaching skills, culminating in individualized home exercise programs for each client. End-of-semester presentations provide students opportunities to share participant progress, challenges and strategies for success.
This integrated clinical experience incorporates analysis and synthesis of physical therapy concepts, skills, and evidence-based practice via clinical experiences in an on-site clinical environment. Students work closely with clinical instructors to develop skills of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention of individuals with impairments, functional limitations or changes in physical function resulting from neurological or musculoskeletal disorders.
This course consists of integrated clinical experiences designed to provide students opportunities to apply pedagogical knowledge and skills to patients under mentorship and guidance of third year students, in the on-site clinic environment. Students observe, assist, and perform components of physical therapy evaluation, interventions, documentation, and exchange feedback in consultation with student mentors.
This course is designed to prepare students to work with individuals late in the lifespan, particularly those age 65 and older. The content includes an overview of the physical, physiological, cognitive and emotional changes associated with aging as well as selected pathologies and challenges commonly encountered when working with older individuals. Students design and participate in health promotion for community-living older adults.
Systemic processes affect the entire person as an organism. This course is a deep dive into the emergent nature of systemic disease and the complex dynamical nature of human systems. Each topic is covered with a foundational discussion of the neurophysiology of the pathology, and the manner in which dysfunction within one human system can affect other systems. Medical management of each condition, including pharmacologic management, is addressed, along with the potential ramifications on PT intervention. Each condition, along with patient cases, is framed in the ICF model.
This course addresses the issues in pediatrics that are relevant to physical therapists. Emphasis is on movement of infants and children. The course also applies information on normal development to infants and children, particularly to cerebral palsy, meningomyelocele, pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy, and developmental delay. These four distinct diagnoses are used as models for the design of physical therapy programs for children with other pathologies. The assessment and treatment of premature infants is also addressed.
This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform competent orthopedic musculoskeletal examinations, evaluations, and interventions for the upper extremity. There is coherent integration of this course with PT 638, PT 639, PT 641 and PT 643. Emphasis is placed on the development of declarative knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to perform an orthopedic examination and synthesize data to establish an evidence-informed physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.
In this course, students will explore current theories of motor development and relate them to physical therapy case studies. They will develop knowledge of normal motor development, theoretical models of motor control, development, and learning principles. This will provide the basis for the study of common pathologies encountered in clinical practice.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the neurophysiologic mechanisms of medications as they apply to physical therapy practice. Particular attention will be addressed to medication interaction with physical therapy interventions including but not limited to exercise and joint mobilization or manipulation. Medication interactions with tissue healing and medication interaction with other medications or naturopathic remedies will also be studied.