PHT 2162 - Neurological Disabilities and Treatment

Health Science Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2019 (565)

Requisites

Prerequisite PHT 1801L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course is devoted to the advanced study of the nervous system and selected neurological disabilities encountered in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is on the etiology, pathology and clinical picture of diseases studied. Use of physical therapy modalities and procedures most effective for each neurological condition is discussed.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss human neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as they relate to motor function.
    1. Describe the structure and function of:
      1. various types of neurons and neuroglial (support) cells
      2. spinal cord, spinal nerves, cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system, the cerebrum, and cerebellum
      3. midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata and selected nuclei of the CNS
    2. Relate the above structures to how they influence levels of arousal, mentation, and cognition.
    3. List the names and number of spinal and cranial nerves
    4. Identify functions of cranial nerves.
    5. Identify myotomes and dermatomes of spinal nerves.
  2. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss selected pathologies of the nervous system that affect individuals across the lifespan and common physical therapy management of the impairments and activity limitations associated with those diseases and disorders.
    1. Identify impairments that would occur due to disease/disorder of the structures discussed above.
    2. Compare and contrast axonal degeneration and regeneration within the central and peripheral nervous systems and how these affect treatment procedures.
    3. Describe the etiology of various diseases and disorders that may affect the spinal cord.
    4. Describe the incidence, etiology, pathology, clinical picture, signs and symptoms, and prognosis of neuromuscular diseases and disorders commonly encountered in physical therapy. (CVA, Parkinson’s disease, MS, ALS, congenital disorders, epilepsy, Myasthenia Gravis)
    5. Identify common medications, their effects, side effects and potential interactions with physical therapy interventions used in the management of neuromuscular diseases and disorders commonly encountered in physical therapy.
    6. Describe common medical and surgical management of diseases and disorders covered in the course.
  3. Upon completion of this course, the student will describe the medical and physical therapy management of diseases and disorders of the nervous system.
    1. Discuss the medical and physical therapy management of patients with spinal cord injuries.
    2. Identify precautions and contraindications of patients with spinal cord injuries.
    3. Discuss strategies for educating a patient with a spinal cord injury to function within the home and work setting.
    4. Recognize changes in the direction and magnitude of a patient’s state of arousal, mentation and cognition given a case study.
    5. Discuss physical therapy interventions utilized for body structure/function impairments and functional and activity limitations associated with diseases and disorders commonly encountered in physical therapy. To include:
      1. Motor function training
      2. Therapeutic exercises
      3. Functional training
    6. Identify modifications to physical therapy interventions necessary to address alterations in patient’s level of arousal, mentation, cognition, behavior impairments, communication impairments, visual-perceptual impairments or swallowing impairments.
    7. Explain the role of the PTA in discharge planning and follow-up care in selected neurological case studies.
    8. Analyze the role of patient–centered interprofessional case management of patients with neurological conditions.
  4. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss when functional tests should be utilized to demonstrate patient progress. Functional tests include:
    1. Balance: balance scale, Berg Balance Test
    2. Gait & locomotion: Functional Gait Test, Time Up & Go Test
  5. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss the operational management of the physical therapy services found in an inpatient facility.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 78% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/15/83 3 Year Review 2003. Revised 8/84 C&I 10/25/05, BOT 11/15/05, Revised 7/85 Eff20061(0370). DBT 12/12/85 “C” graded added eff 20081(0400). Effective Session 19861 Revised 7/88 DBT 5/18/89 SCN Change 7/10/89 Effective 19891. C&I 4/27/99; DBT 5/18/9 Effective 19991. C&I 10/12/99; DBT 11/16/99 Effective 19992. C&I 5/25/2010, BOT 7/22/2010, Effective 20101(0430). C&I Approval: 05/25/2010, BOT Approval: 07/22/2010, Effective Term: Fall 2010 (430). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2016 (510). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2017 (525). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2018 (540).
C&I Approval: 02/14/2019, BOT Approval: 03/19/2019, Effective Term: Fall 2019 (565)

Related Programs

  1. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA-AS) (640) (Active)