Introduction to Neurophysiology and Rehabilitation

Catalog description

Science-based rehabilitation requires mastery of fundamental science and its application to a patient setting. The focus of this course is on the neuroscience underpinnings of physical rehabilitation. In this course, selected topics from neuroscience believed most relevant to physical rehabilitation will be reviewed by the professor (primarily from the textbook). After each topic is reviewed, students will analyze preclinical scientific publications provided by the professor and, working together in small rehabilitation teams, present their analysis to their classmates, including recommendations for practice. Initially, guiding questions from the instructor will be provided but with each new topic, students will increasingly design their own presentations. The final project in the course will be independent. Each student will identify a primary research manuscript of a neuro-rehabilitation topic of their interest. He/she will present in writing the background fundamental neuroscience, the research question and findings of the preclinical scientific manuscript identified, and the ramifications of that literature to the practice of rehabilitation. In this way, the essential skills of practicing science-based rehabilitation will be rehearsed and applied by each student in the class.