Course Learning outcomes

At the completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

  • Describe a structured approach to the analysis of activity limitations in reach, grasp and manipulation tasks after stroke
  • Outline the evidence base for rehabilitation of the affected arm after stroke
  • Describe evidence-based training strategies to increase strength in very weak arm muscles and for intensive task training for the affected arm after stroke
  • Describe evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat secondary impairments of the affected arm after stroke

At the completion of Week 1, the participant should be able to:

  • Define biomechanics, kinematics and kinetics
  • Identify the major muscle groups of the arm and the role of each key muscle
  • Name the ICF levels and apply these concepts to movement analysis
  • Describe the contribution of impairments to activity limitations after stroke
  • Outline a structured clinical reasoning approach to the analysis of movement problems of the arm after stroke

At the completion of Week 2, the participant should be able to:

  • Describe the normal biomechanics of reach (transport and pre-shaping), grasp and manipulation
  • Apply a structured process to the analysis of movement problems of the arm after stroke including the following steps;
    • identify the kinematic deviations (compensations and missing essential components)
    • hypothesise about the potential impairments
    • propose testing strategies to determine the causes of the kinematic deviations

At the completion of Week 3, the participant should be able to:

  • Outline the appraisal of and interpretation of results from systematic reviews
  • Outline the evidence for interventions to improve strength and activity of the affected arm after stroke
  • Describe strategies to increase strength in very weak muscles of the affected arm after stroke

At the completion of Week 4, the participant should be able to:

  • Describe task specific training strategies to improve hand co-ordination
  • Outline the evidence for interventions to prevent or manage secondary impairments and spasticity of the affected arm after stroke

At the completion of Week 5, the participant should be able to:

  • Describe evidence-based coaching principles including effective instructions, feedback and environment structure to optimise motor learning
  • Describe strategies to increase intensity and amounts of practice after stroke
  • Discuss strategies for practice change within their workplace

Course Content

Introduction to the StrokeEd Upper Limb MOOC
Introduction
6 Topics
1. Outline of the UL MOOC and StrokeEd
2. Introduction to the presenters
3. MOOC Learning outcomes
4. Week by Week outline
5. FAQ
6. Pre-reading
Baseline knowledge quiz
1 Topic
1 Quiz
Analysis task
Baseline knowledge quiz
WEEK 1
Week 1 Introduction
Lesson 1: Evidence-based practice – professional responsibility/ethics
1 Topic
1 Quiz
Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice quiz
Lesson 2: Biomechanics
7 Topics
1 Quiz
Phases of upper limb movement
Kinematics
Kinetics
Essential components
Compensations
Concentric / isometric / eccentric muscle contractions
Further concepts
Biomechanics quiz
Lesson 3: UL Anatomy review
1 Quiz
Anatomy review quiz
Lesson 4: Application of the ICF classifications
1 Topic
1 Quiz
ICF Framework and definitions
ICF quiz
Lesson 5: Impairments after stroke – implications for movement analysis
1 Topic
1 Quiz
The contribution of impairments to activity limitations after stroke, implications for movement analysis
Impairments after stroke quiz
END OF WEEK 1
1 Topic
1 Quiz
Summary of Week 1
Week 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Week 2 Introduction
Lesson 1: Movement analysis
2 Topics
1 Quiz
Movement analysis of UL tasks
Analysis of UL movement
Analysis of two tasks: knife use and handwriting
Lesson 2: Planning the inital UL assessment
1 Topic
Planning and conducting the UL assessment
Lesson 3: Movement analysis, the essential components of UL tasks
2 Topics
2 Quizzes
Analysis of UL movement – the essential components
Essential components of reach, grasp, in-hand manipulation
Analysis of advanced hand activities
Handwriting and cutlery use
Lesson 4: Initial assessments of stroke survivors Melanie and Gill
2 Topics
Initial assessment of Gill
Initial assessment of Melanie
Lesson 5: Practising your analysis of UL tasks
2 Topics
Analysis of Ngoc drinking from a cup
Analysis of Anthony using cutlery
END OF WEEK 2
1 Topic
1 Quiz
Summary of Week 2
Week 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Week 3 Introduction
Lesson 1: Critical appraisal of evidence
1 Topic
1 Quiz
Critical appraisal of systematic reviews and RCTs
Appraising evidence
Lesson 2: Improving strength in very weak UL muscles
5 Topics
1 Quiz
Improving strength in very weak UL muscles
Electrical stimulation for the UL
Mental practice for the UL
Mirror therapy for the UL
Gill’s home practice
Interventions to increase strength in very weak UL muscles
Lesson 3: Intervention planning
1 Topic
Intervention for Phil’s affected arm
Final Quiz
End of MOOC quiz