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PHTY41140

Academic Year 2026/2027

Advanced Neurology (PHTY41140)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Olive Lennon
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module builds on students' foundational knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and assessment of a patient with a neurological disorder. It addresses pathological conditions of both the central and peripheral nervous systems in adults and children.
Clinical reasoning and manual proficiencies are advanced in this module to equip students with the skills to formulate and effectively deliver treatment programmes for a wide range of complex neurological conditions and associated multi-morbidities. The module will enable students to critically appraise the current literature and evaluate the use of evidence-based practice in contemporary neurological rehabilitation.
The module develops an advanced understanding of the role of adjuncts to treatment (positioning, pharmacotherapy, electrotherapy / physical agents / orthotics / splinting) 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.
Using case-study based clinical reasoning sessions using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a framework, student will learn how to: assess patients, 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, 1.8, 2.1-2.3, 2.12, 3.1-3.8, 5.1-5.8, 5.10-5.13, 5.15-5.20, 5.23, 5.25, 5.26, 5.28

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
Comprehensively relate pathologies of the peripheral and central nervous systems to the clinical presentations of paediatric and adult populations in neurology.
Evaluate assessment findings to plan safe and effective treatments including goal setting, appropriate outcome measure selection, appropriate referral to members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and employing advanced clinical reasoning skills using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework in neurology.
Administer facilitation and handling techniques and/or physical agents or appliances effectively to ensure safe and competent practice including modulation of tone and facilitation of normal movement patterns.
Understand the role of exercise in the management and prevention of chronic neurological diseases and aging, demonstrating competence and safety in exercise testing and prescription for individuals with neurological disability and/or clinical frailty.
Evaluate treatment paradigms and other factors affecting motor control, recovery and motor relearning following injury to the central nervous system (CNS) in neurological rehabilitation.
Appraise the best available evidence in the management of neurological diseases and apply key findings to enable safe and effective physiotherapy practice across a variety of clinical environments.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include:
Peripheral nerve injury Mechanisms; Wallarian degeneration/regeneration; Advanced sensory assessment techniques;
Physiotherapy management; Peripheral nerve injuries including Radial / ulnar / median / common peroneal injuries.
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 including brain tumours, epilepsy, SAH, cranial surgery
Paediatric Neurology:
Normal Development of the Brain; Developmental Milestones
Common conditions in paediatrics:
Cerebral Palsy
Spina Bifida
Muscular Dystrophy
Clinical exercise in neurology
Exercise prescription in neurological conditions
Falls prevention theory and clinical exercise
Neurological Rehabilitation
Theoretical constructs in Neurological Rehabilitation
Neuroplasticity
Motor control theories and motor learning
Management
Treatment of hypotonia & hypertonia (identifying compensations in the trunk): Handling skills
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Vestibular rehabilitation
Upper limb rehabilitation & management of hemiplegic shoulder pain
Lower limb rehabilitation & Gait training and re-education
Principles of splinting and positioning / serial casting practical
The role of the Multidisciplinary team in patient management in neurology
Case studies in Neurology using International Classification of Functioning (ICF)
Post neurosurgery following AVM excision / TBI: Early ICU; late rehabilitation

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

28
Autonomous Student Learning

130
Lectures

22
Practical

20
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will use a mix of teaching approaches to best ensure the learning outcomes are achieved. These include: Lectures, Small group work, Practical skills labs, Case-based learning, Self-directed E-learning, Presentations

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 Requirements:

You are eligible to take this module if you have registered to the professional Masters in Physiotherapy Programme and have passed your Introduction to Neurology Theory and Practice Module


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Neurology (PHTY40900)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): Two hour written examination on case studies assessing knowledge and understanding of learning outcomes
 End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded Yes
40
 Yes
Group Work Assignment: Evidence-based presentations for interventions in neurology rehabilitation. Week 6 Graded No
20
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Competency based practical examination to demonstrate neurological rehabilitation techniques and handling skills. Week 14 Graded Yes
40
 Yes

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

How will Feedback be Delivered? - Case- studies/ Formative quizzes & Self-assessment activities throughout module - Individual feedback to students post-assessment on request - General pointers and feedback to the class overall

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

Name Role
Dr Laura McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gráinne O'Donoghue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
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