DPT 620 - Neuromuscular P.T. Practice II

This is the introductory course in the examination and management of movement disorders and health conditions stemming from the central nervous system pathology, with emphasis on stroke, spinal cord, and traumatic brain injury. The course is designed to introduce the foundational knowledge and psychomotor skills required for examination, therapeutic handling and neuromuscular re-education which will be reinforced and advanced within the course and within DPT-621 and DPT-710. Lab experiences apply neuroplasticity and motor learning principles to recovery-based treatment techniques and develop patient management skills for patients with neurologic dysfunction. The principles of movement and gait analysis will be reinforced and concepts of materials, design, fabrication and wearing/fitting of lower extremity orthotics introduced. This course builds on the student’s critical thinking and reasoning strategies through clinical case applications and real-world learning that can be applied across acute care, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, transitional care unit, and home health care practice settings. The integration of structured movement analyses of activities performed in daily life, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model will be reinforced to inform clinical decision making in physical therapist practice. The second course within the neuromuscular practice pattern, DPT 620 introduces the foundations of examination and treatment of movement disorders resulting from pathology and/or impairments within the neuromuscular system. Students gain the foundational knowledge and psychomotor skills required for examination, evaluation, therapeutic handling, and neuromuscular re-education as applied to persons with stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other cerebrovascular disorders. In addition, they address the management of persons with balance and vestibular disorders. Lab learning activities apply knowledge of pathophysiology, neuroplasticity, and motor learning principles to clinical decision-making in evaluation, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. The principles of movement and gait analysis will be reinforced, and foundational concepts of lower extremity orthotics will be introduced. This course begins to develop students’ critical thinking and reasoning strategies through clinical case applications and real-world learning that can be applied across acute care, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, transitional care units, and home health care practice settings. The integration of structured movement analyses of activities performed in daily life and the use of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) will be reinforced to guide and inform clinical decision-making in physical therapist practice. Foundational knowledge and skills are reinforced and advanced within the course and throughout the practice pattern courses, within DPT 621 and DPT 710. 2 hours of lecture weekly.

Corequisites DPT 620L

Credits: 4

Program Doctoral