PSIO12004 - Neurological Physiotherapy 1

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will provide you with the foundational components of neurological physiotherapy to prepare you for the clinical management of patients with neurological conditions. You will develop an understanding of neuroanatomy, neuroscience, and neurodevelopment and realise how health theories and frameworks (e.g., motor learning, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)) guide neurological rehabilitation. You will learn to conduct assessments that define impairments and limitations in the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), select and apply outcome measures that monitor functional limitations and impairments, and use clinical reasoning for the basis of treatment planning. The interventions you implement will be effective, evidence-based, and directed at the re-education of functional movement.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

To enrol in this unit you must be enrolled in the CB85 Course and meet the following pre-requisites:

BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1

BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2

PSIO11004 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 1

PSIO11003 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2

ALLH11006 Life Course Development for Health Professionals



Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 2 - 2025

Term 2 - 2025 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Bundaberg
Cairns
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. In-class Test(s) 25%
2. In-class Test(s) 25%
3. On-campus Activity 0%
4. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) 50%

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).

Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2025 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 21.28% response rate.

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Source: Unit evaluation data, direct student feedback, self reflection, broader feedback.
Feedback
Students appreciated the opportunity to learn from physiotherapists who are actively practicing in specialised areas.
Recommendation
It is recommended to continue to look for opportunities for students to engage with physiotherapists currently working in specialised areas. (e.g., guest lectures, practical workshops, observational placements, site visits).
Action Taken
A new guest lecture was created and delivered by the CQUniversity Speech Pathology Team on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with continuation of observational placements and site visits offered in this unit.
Source: Unit evaluation data, direct student feedback, self reflection, broader feedback.
Feedback
Students enjoyed the practical nature of the unit, valuing the hands-on learning experience. However, challenges with the balance between time allocated to neuroanatomy and practical content were noted.
Recommendation
It is recommended to review the allocation of tutorial time between neuroanatomy and practical content to ensure an optimal balance for the development of both knowledge and practical skills.
Action Taken
The allocation of time across all theoretical and practical classes was adjusted to achieve an optimal balance that supported the effective development of both knowledge and practical skills in this unit.
Source: Unit evaluation data, direct student feedback, self reflection, broader feedback.
Feedback
Students reported the newly developed neurological assessment video resources supported their learning and assessment preparation.
Recommendation
It is recommended to review opportunities to expand the use of multimedia resources, such as video demonstrations, for other key neurological content areas to further support student learning and assessment preparation.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: Unit evaluation data, direct student feedback, self reflection, broader feedback.
Feedback
Students valued the interactive sessions, hands-on learning experiences, and revision resources. Students suggested incorporating more case studies to enhance application of knowledge.
Recommendation
It is recommended to explore opportunities to integrate additional case-based learning activities to further support clinical reasoning and engagement.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Describe basic concepts of neurosciences, including organisation and function of the nervous system, neurodevelopment and signs and symptoms in neurologic lesions
  2. Select and apply appropriate assessment tools, including observational analysis and outcome measures, to identify functional limitations and impairments in the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and contemporary healthcare practice
  3. Demonstrate competency in the selection (rationale) and execution of evidence-based neurological rehabilitation techniques to address sensorimotor dysfunction and promote the re-education of functional movement
  4. Demonstrate acceptable professional and ethical behaviours consistent with a physiotherapy practitioner.

Learning outcomes and assessment tasks have been mapped against and aligned with the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - In-class Test(s) •
2 - In-class Test(s) • •
3 - On-campus Activity •
4 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication • • • •
2 - Problem Solving • • •
3 - Critical Thinking • • •
4 - Information Literacy •
5 - Team Work • • •
6 - Information Technology Competence • • •
7 - Cross Cultural Competence •
8 - Ethical practice •
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10