Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Therapeutic Intervention
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English,
Teaching staff
The teaching staff will attend to all students who request it via email during scheduled hours.
Introduction
To establish a therapeutic program tailored to the individual needs of each child, it is necessary to use appropriate assessment tools. This requires knowing how to use internationally recognized pediatric age-specific assessments and interpreting the results. These assessments allow for setting short- and medium-term therapeutic goals and intervening appropriately, as well as:
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Quantitatively and qualitatively identifying the child's psychomotor abilities and development.
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Establish a physiotherapy diagnosis of the developmental delay, the child's motor skills, their interaction with the environment, etc.
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Determining the child's motor potential strengths and weaknesses.
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Identifying therapeutic strategies that can contribute to improving the established goals, whether in the short or long term.
Given the wide variety of pathologies in childhood and the diverse range of therapeutic strategies, including postural, orthotic and mobility aids, it is essential to understand each of these strategies to acquire the skill to apply them according to the objectives formulated for each individual child.
Pre-course requirements
None established.
Objectives
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Understanding the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) as a framework for maximizing the functional profile of children with disabilities.
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Understanding the competencies of the rest of the multi-, inter-, or transdisciplinary team (medical specialists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, educators, psychologists, etc.) to enable collaborative work in an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary manner.
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Knowing how to apply gross motor function scales and interpret the results.
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Understanding the main psychomotor and skeletal parameters and their evolution from birth.
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Understanding that the learning of different skills in childhood is maximized through practice in natural environments.
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Acquiring training on the main postural adaptations and assistive devices that help children with neuromotor dysfunction maximize their functional abilities and improve postural control in standing and sitting.
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Develop skills in creating the main postural adaptations.
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Acquiring skills in planning the therapeutic approach and the type of postural adaptations.
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Understand acetabular bone remodeling in order to plan therapeutic approaches and standing programs.
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To know the indications and objectives of the different mobility assistance.
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Acquire training on the general characteristics of play in childhood and the main adaptations of play for children with disabilities.
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Acquire skills in planning games and psychomotor activities in therapy.
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Develop therapeutic handling skills for children at different ages.
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Identify the role of the physiotherapist in neonatal intensive care units.
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Know and be able to apply the different options for lower limb orthoses and orthotic garments in children based on functional and musculoskeletal assessment.
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Acquire skills in planning therapeutic exercises for musculoskeletal disorders in childhood.
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Plan the specific therapeutic and functional approach based on each child's individual abilities.
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Identify the different contexts that promote learning through movement, language, and play.
- Learn about the different physiotherapy strategies that can be used to help children learn motor skills.
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Choose the most appropriate orthotic design according to the patient’s characteristics.
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Understand the most common cardiorespiratory pathologies in childhood.
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Know pediatric respiratory physiotherapy techniques and apply them according to assessment and objectives.
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Identify the need for physiotherapy after surgery in soft tissues or bones in children.
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Show the ability to cooperate with the rest of the interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary team when deciding on post-surgical therapeutic options.
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Understanding the competencies of other therapeutic disciplines when developing a collaborative therapeutic plan.
- To understand the motor disorders that interfere with feeding autonomy and acquire the skills to identify them in order to refer the child to the appropriate professional.
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To understand the motor disorders that interfere with independent activities at each developmental stage and to assist in designing strategies to support them.
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Acquire skills in interpreting assessment results to inform and collaborate with the rest of the interdisciplinary team when decision-making.
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Identify therapeutic and functional goals to engage and empower families and educators to integrate them into daily routines.
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To understand the basic procedures of medical and surgical treatments for certain pathologies.
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Implement strategies that promote activity and participation in children with functional diversity.
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Understand the professional ethical guidelines on best evidence-based practices, defined as a decision-making process "integrating the best available evidence, along with experience and family and professional values."
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
Basic and general competencies
CB7 - Students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving ability in new or little-known environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
CB8 - Students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments from information that, while incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
CB9 - Students know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and the reasons that support them to both specialized and non-specialized public media in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB10 - Students possess the learning skills that will enable to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
CG1 - Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary team while also being autonomous and proactive in resolving conflicts or problems between different professional perspectives.
CG2 - Execute professional practice based on humanistic values and respect for human dignity.
CG3 - Act with fairness, ensuring equal opportunities and universal access for children requiring physiotherapy care, promoting respect for human rights, and facilitating social and sustainable coexistence.
CG4 - Ability to plan and manage time and activities efficiently to ensure effective organization and optimal adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.
Transversal Competencies
CT1 - Ensure confidentiality in interventions and patient documentation management, complying with ethical, legal, and technical aspects.
CT2 - Show communication skills in interpersonal relationships that enhance the child's physical development, family participation, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
CT3 - Communicate both orally and in writing using correct scientific terminology in each specialization of physiotherapy and health sciences, in both national and international contexts.
CT5 - Manage information optimally to transform it into applicable knowledge for professional practice, whether in child care or family support.
CT6- Identify and adapt professional practice to institutional regulations within healthcare, social services, or educational systems, while planning proposals to improve the quality of the healthcare system.
Specific competencies
CE1- Apply knowledge about the body’s response to internal and external stimuli, understanding how they become mechanisms of harmful, response, or repair.
CE3 - Design, plan and implement the most efficient pediatric physiotherapy intervention; monitor and evaluate responses, using scientific evidence.
CE4 - Develop manual skills in applying various physiotherapy strategies for children.
CE5 - Direct, coordinate, and execute the Physiotherapy Intervention Plan based on the principle of user individuality, utilizing the specific therapeutic tools of Pediatric Physiotherapy.
CE6 - Redesign and adapt physiotherapy treatment by analyzing the evolution of results obtained from therapy concerning established objectives and outcome criteria.
CE7 - Stay updated and expand knowledge on child development, learning, and motor control, as well as pathologies, diagnostic processes, and therapeutic strategies presented by the scientific community.
CE8 - Defend pediatric physiotherapy interventions using clear, precise and context-appropriate arguments and justifications while valuing the contributions of others.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student:
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Completes a comprehensive clinical history of the child.
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Interprets assessment parameters and compares them with therapeutic objectives.
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Applies principles of motor learning to promote the child's development and movement control.
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Adapts therapeutic exercises to children’s disabilities.
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Uses play characteristics that promote psychomotor development when designing rehabilitation activities.
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Analyzes the need for postural and mobility adaptations for optimal positioning and functional mobility.
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Identifies the role of family members, caregivers, and professionals in the rehabilitation process.
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Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
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Modifies therapeutic interventions based on progress and developmental stages.
Syllabus
Therapeutic exercises and functional movements
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Development and demonstration of therapeutic exercise programs based on the treatment plan.
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The acquisition of movement control necessary for the development of functional mobility (e.g., rolling over, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking).
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Application of developmentally appropriate motor learning principles to promote skill acquisition.
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General characteristics of play in childhood and adaptations for children with disabilities. Planning games and psychomotor activities in therapy.
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Evaluation and documentation of the effectiveness of the therapeutic intervention and analysis of the possible need to modify the therapeutic plan.
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The Basal Stimulation Theory as a therapeutic tool.
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Acquisition of self-care skills.
Physical handling, adapted equipment and mobility systems
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Analysis of the need for postural and mobility adaptation equipment necessary for optimal positioning and functional mobility in collaboration with the child, family, caregivers and other professionals.
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Main postural adaptations that help the child with neuromotor dysfunction to improve bipedal postural control.
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Acetabular bone remodeling as a basis for planning the therapeutic approach and types of standing programs.
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Creation of the main postural adaptations.
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Assessment of sitting position and planning of the therapeutic approach and type of postural adaptations.
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Indications and objectives of postural and mobility aids.
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Application of different orthotic garments in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in children.
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Prevention and management of contractures and deformities using adapted material, splints, orthoses, serial splints, range of motion, stretching, mobilization, active movement, strengthening and physical agents.
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Handling and positioning methods aimed at optimizing the child's function during daily living activities and minimizing the effects of physical/motor impairment.
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The effectiveness of intervention techniques in pain management.
Respiratory physiotherapy techniques
Gait re-education
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Characteristics of normal and pathological gait.
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Foot-ankle biomechanics.
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Gait assessment and orthotic prescription suitability.
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Therapeutic strategies applied in gait training: technical aids, orthotic aids, orthotic suits, treatmill, etc.
Therapeutic Recreational Activities in disability
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Effects of therapeutic recreational activities on children with disabilities.
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Aquatic activity in children with disabilities.
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Hippotherapy.
Orofacial therapy
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Orofacial motor disorders.
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Feeding and swallowing maneuvers in physiotherapy.
Education and training of caregivers
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Collaborative communication with caregivers.
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Implications of physiotherapy according to the child's condition with their caregivers: position, treatment, management.
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Instruction for caregivers in physical handling and therapeutic procedures, incorporating appropriate mechanisms for injury prevention.
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Recording the effectiveness of instructions and education provided by caregivers.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Teaching Methodology
- LM - Lecture Method
- MC - Case Method
- CA - Learning Contract
Learning Activities
|
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Hours |
Attendance (%) |
|
CT - Theory classes |
60 |
100% |
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CP - Practical classes |
40 |
100% |
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AAP - Self-learning activities |
50 |
0% |
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EI - Independent study |
100 |
0% |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Since the course has a theory-practical nature, a minimum attendance of 80% of classes is required to pass the course.
In this case, the assessment will consist of a narrative record, compiled by the student, on a chosen topic. This record will then be compiled into a final written report summarizing all of these entries.
The assessment activity will consist of:
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The development of a clinical case of the student's choosing, which must encompass the content of this course. This may be a real clinical case (respecting data confidentiality), or a clinical scenario developed entirely by the student. Students will have access to guidelines and requirements for this assignment on the subject's Moodle platform. This assignment will account for 70% of the final grade, provided the grade is higher than 5.0.
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The teaching staff will record a grade for each seminar based on the student's participation and engagement in the classroom activities. This record will account for 30% of the final grade.
Bibliography and resources
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Fisioterapia en pediatría. Maria Lourdes Macias Melo, Joaquin Faoaga Mata. Editorial Médica panamericana. 2018. 2ª Edición. ISBN: 9788491102120
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Physical Therapy for Children. Campbell S, Palisano R. Elsevier 2011. Fourth Edition.
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The Identification and Treatment of Gait Problems in Cerebral Palsy. 2nd Edition, 180-181. James R. Gage, Michael H. Schwartz , Steven E. Koop ,Tom F. Novacheck. Hardcover. July 2009
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Cerebral palsy. from diagnosis to adult life. Ronsenbaum, P. Rosenbloom, L. 2012. WILEY
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Management of the Motor Disorders of Children with Cerebral Palsy, 2nd Edition. David Scrutton, Diane Damiano, Margaret Mayston. Hardcover. February 2007
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Postural Control: A Key Issue in Developmental Disorders. Mijna Hadders-Algra, Eva Brogen Carlberg. Paperback. October 2008, Wiley-Blackwell
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Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for People with Cerebral Palsy: A Problem-Based Approach to Assessment and Management. Karen Dodd, Christine Imms , Nicholas F. Taylor.Paperback. January 2010, Wiley-Blackwell
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Physical Rehabilitation 6th Edition. by Susan B. O'Sullivan, Thomas J. Schmitz T , George Fulk . ISBN-13: 978-0803625792
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Positioning for Play: Interactive Activities to Enhance Movement and Sensory Exploration. Rachel B Diamant. ISBN-13: 9781416404316
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Therapeutic Exercise in Developmental Disabilities. Barbara H Connolly. ISBN-13: 9781556426247
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-The Clinical Practice of Pediatric Physical Therapy: From the NICU to Independent Living. by Mark Drnach. ISBN-13: 9780781790635
Useful links regarding physiotherapy in pediatrics and disability