Nottingham University Spinal Rehabilitation Project

Course Description[edit | edit source]

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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[edit | edit source]

Paul Hendrick

Instructions to Students[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

2012 - 2013[edit | edit source]

2013 - 2014[edit | edit source]

2014-2015[edit | edit source]

2015-2016[edit | edit source]

2018-2019[edit | edit source]

2019-2020[edit | edit source]

2020-2021[edit | edit source]

2021-2022[edit | edit source]

2022-2023[edit | edit source]