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PHTY30100

Academic Year 2025/2026

Neurology 2 (PHTY30100)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Laura McMahon
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module builds on the students’ foundational knowledge of the assessment and management of neurological patients in Neurology 1, and will further develop the students' understanding and knowledge of pathology of the central nervous system (CNS) and how it relates to neurological disease. Factors affecting recovery and relearning following injury to the nervous system are included in this module. Complex neurological diseases such as Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Ataxia are discussed with reference to aetiology, signs, symptoms and principles of management. Neurosurgery and aspects of paediatric neurology are also delivered in this module. The module prepares students to work in a global society with recognition of equality, diversion and inclusion.

The module will develop an understanding of the role of evidence based management, adjuncts to treatment and the multidisciplinary team to create students who can challenge and formulate all aspects of neurological rehabilitation while working with adults and children in diverse socio cultural environments (including hospital, community and primary care), nationally and internationally.

The module will include case-study based clinical reasoning sessions using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework, to show students how to: assess patients (including thorough subjective examinations, and the selection and performance of objective assessments), plan treatment accordingly, set SMART short and long-term goals; use outcome measures to assess effectiveness of treatment; modify treatment if necessary and know when referral to another discipline is indicated.

Mapped to CORU SoP: 1.1-1.3, 1.5, 2.1-2.4, 2.9, 2.12-2.14, 3.1, 3.3-3.8, 3.14, 5.1-5.20, 5.23-5.25, 5.28


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
1. Demonstrate the ability to relate the pathology of the nervous system to clinical presentations of neurological conditions.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors affecting recovery and motor relearning following injury to the CNS.
3. Evaluate assessment findings on people with CNS lesions, in order to plan safe and effective treatments including formulating problem lists, goal setting, appropriate outcome measure selection, appropriate referral to members of the multidisciplinary team and employing advanced clinical reasoning skills to determine appropriate treatment principles to apply.
4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the multidisciplinary management of people with neurological problems through all stages of the
condition/disease.
5. Apply best available evidence to inform safe and effective neurological physiotherapy practice.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include:
• Neurological Pathologies; Neuromuscular conditions: Motor Neurone Disease; Polyneuropathies including Guillain Barre;
Ataxias Cerebellar, Sensory & Vestibular; including Friedreich's Ataxia; Traumatic Brain Injury; Myopathies; Spinal Cord Injury;
Traumatic brain injury; Neurosurgery
• Paediatric Neurology: Normal Development of the Brain; Developmental Milestones; Common conditions in paediatrics:
Cerebral Palsy; Spina Bifida; Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurological Rehabilitation and Theoretical constructs in Neurological Rehabilitation
• Motor control theories and motor learning
• Management; Treatment of hypotonia & hypertonia (identifying compensations in the trunk); Handling skills; Upper limb
rehabilitation & management of hemiplegic shoulder pain; Lower limb rehabilitation & Gait training and re-education; The role
of the Multidisciplinary team in patient management in neurology
• Case studies in Neurology using International Classification of Functioning (ICF); Post neurosurgery following Arteriovenous
Malformation excision / TBI: Early ICU; late rehabilitation

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Small Group

12

Specified Learning Activities

10

Autonomous Student Learning

80

Total

126


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures include class discussion of people with neurological conditions encountered on placement and Youtube video case scenarios. A workbook is included in the module with case scenarios based on the International Classification of Functioning (WHO, 2001) with questions posed involving prior study and group discussion in small group classes.

AI/Academic Integrity:
Staff may utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the programme to support teaching and learning and it will be clearly indicated if and when AI is used. Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. Submission of AI-generated content to this module by a student without explicit permission and attribution is not allowed and it may reflect unacceptable professional behaviour. This may result in the initiation of a student disciplinary procedure in accordance with the “University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module is suitable for BSc Physiotherapy students only


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PHTY20160 - Neurology 1

Co-requisite:
PHTY30110 - Clinical Exercise


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): One hour written exam on case studies assessing knowledge and understanding of learning outcomes. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
Graded No
50
Yes
Practical Skills Assessment: Practical Exam with clinical scenarios assessing ability to select appropriate treatment techniques, demonstrate clinical and handling skills, safety, communication, clinical reasoning and knowledge Week 14, Week 15 Graded Yes
50
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students can discuss online feedback via email or in person by appointment

• Lennon, S, Ramdharry G, Verheyden G. (2018) Physical Management for Neurological Conditions. 4th Edition. Elsevier London (available as an ebook in UCD library)
• Shumway-Cook, A, Woollacott, MH. (2017) Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice 5th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Baltimore
• Edwards, S (2002) Neurological Physiotherapy, 2nd Edition Churchill Livingstone
• Umphred, D.A. (2013), Umphred's neurological rehabilitation, 6th edn, Elsevier/Mosby
• Raine S, Meadows L and Lynch-Ellerington M. (2009) Bobath Concept Theory and Clinical Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (available as an ebook in UCD library)
• Carr, J H, Shepherd, R B. (2010) Neurological Rehabilitation: optimizing motor performance. Churchill Livingstone, New York, Edinburgh 2nd ed.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Olive Lennon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Laura McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 23 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 30 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 30 Mon 10:00 - 11:50