Nottingham University Spinal Rehabilitation Project

Course Description

This project forms part of the first Spinal Rehabilitation module in the three year undergraduate physiotherapy course (BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy) at the University of Nottingham.  Students will choose topics in relation to spinal rehabilitation and either create new pages or review and update existing Physiopedia articles in this area.

Course Instructor

Paul Hendrick

Instructions to Students

In your small groups (max 4), which you will have self-selected at the start of the module, you will work collaboratively to develop either an existing Physiopedia Wiki page or build a new Physiopedia Wiki page. You will need to work on this over the course of semester 5 and there has been a session timetabled into the module in order to introduce this.

The actual marks for this module will be given for the group presentation. In the presentation you will need to present the information contained on your Wiki page and include the following in your presentation:

• The page or subject area chosen
• The relevance and importance of this topic to Physiotherapy clinical practice
• What the content was on the page at the outset
• What changes you made to the page
• Why you made these changes
• The literature you used to support the changes
• Critical appraisal of this literature
• What the page looks like now, highlighting the changes you have made or content added

You need to think carefully about copyright, particularly in regard to images. You must make it explicit how you have worked together, remember that we can look into the background of the page to see who has made the edits (this will happen as it forms part of the marks scheme). You must evaluate the information on the page and challenge whether the information is accurate/up to date. Remember anyone can see what you have written. Edit the bits you feel are in need of change. Add any information you feel you could enhance the topic based on the literature. Demonstrate collaborative working through your editing and presentation. You can also add video content and this may be a good addition to a page but you need to think carefully about how it looks as anyone can access it.

Examples of topics you may want to choose from are:

1. Reviewing orthopaedic tests for the assessment of spinal pain (e.g. The sacroiliac joint)
2. Sacroiliac joint form and force closure
3. Classification systems for low back pain (overview of the concepts)
4. Mechanical diagnosis and Therapy for classifying/treating low back pain
5. Movement diagnosis for classifying/treating low back pain
6. NICE guidance for the management of sub-acute or chronic low back pain
7. Manual therapy techniques for low back pain
9. Management of chronic low back pain – can look at specific areas of the bio psychosocial approach, manual therapy, exercise etc.
8. The role of specific type of exercise or physical activity in the management of a spinal condition
9. Surgical and Non-surgical management of spinal stenosis
10. Red Flags in spinal pain
11. Post-surgical physiotherapy management of a specific spinal pathology (e.g. scoliosis)
12. The role of the internet in teaching and educating patients with low back pain
13. Exercise compliance in patients with low back pain – could look at specific conditions, and look at barriers and facilitators
14. The relationship between fitness and low back pain

You may also choose a topic of your choice after reviewing the website but need to discuss this with your tutor first.

After you have chosen your topic each group you will have an appointment with your tutor to discuss what changes you think would be appropriate. This is merely to ensure that what you have chosen is feasible in the time frame available for semester.

To get you started you should follow the instructions on the Guide to taking part in a student project.

Timetable

Tasks	Action
Task 1	Students choose own groups. Build own profile on Physiopedia - see guidance page  Start to investigate topics of interest (see the list above for ideas or investigate own).
Task 2	Declare area of interest to rest of group members to ensure no two groups working on the same project. Tutor to collaborate with the Physiopedia site to ensure that the topic is feasible and that the site can be protected for the group to study.
Task 3	Research topic area and literature relevant to it.
Task 4	Meet with Paul to discuss progress so far and changes planning to make to page.
Taks 5	Group work – optional meeting with tutor.
Task 6	Build presentation (if not already done so) see above for guidance.
Task 7	Group presentation 20 minutes presentation with 10 minutes questions.

Articles

2012 - 2013

• Sacroiliac Joint Force and Form Closure
• Lumbar Facet Joint injections
• Manual Therapy Techniques For The Lumbar Spine
• Orthopaedic Tests For The Sacroiliac Joint merged with Sacroiliac Joint Special Test Cluster
• Classification Of Low Back Pain Using Shirley Sahrmann’s Movement System Impairments, An Overview Of The Concept

2013 - 2014

• Diagnostic Approaches to Low Back Pain - Comparing Maitland, McKenzie and Movement Impairment Syndromes
• CBT Approach to Chronic Low Back Pain
• Fitness and Low Back Pain
• Red Flags in Spinal Conditions
• The Effectiveness of Core Exercises in the Management of Non-Specific LBP

2014-2015

• Low Back Pain in Young Athletes

• Spondylolysis in Young Athletes
• Lower Limb Amputees and Low Back Pain
• Adolescent Back Pain

2015-2016

• Anatomy Slings and Their Realtionship to Low Back Pain
• Physiotherapy management of Low Back Pain in lower limb amputees
• Management of LBP in Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Physical Inactivity and LBP
• Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE): Current Concepts

2018-2019

• The Effectiveness of Manual Therapies on the Thoracic Spine​

• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and back pain
• Neck Pain and Breathing Pattern Disorders
• Lumbar Spondylolysis in Extension Related Sport
• An Overview of Neck Pain in Wheelchair Users

2019-2020

• Telehealth for Low Back Pain
• Management of Occupational LBP in Health Care Professionals
• Exercise Adherence in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Remote screening for Red Flags in the Lumbar spine
• Sitting ergonomics and the impact on LBP

2020-2021

• Neck Pain Clinical Guidelines
• Craniocervical instability in Downs syndrome
• Management of LBP in Pregnancy
• Vertebral fractures in Children and Adolescents
• The effectiveness of Manipulation of the Lumbar Spine

2021-2022

• Assessment and management of cervicogenic headaches post traumatic injury
• The effects of walking on low back pain
• Cervical Spine Fractures in Contact Sports
• Use of Hydrotherapy for the Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
• Aquatic Therapy in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain
• Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) for Low Back Pain