Course syllabus for Pain from a Physiotherapeutic and Physiological Perspective

Outcomes

Pain physiology, 3.0 credits

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the physiological mechanisms underlying the development and modulation of pain, including placebo and nocebo effects
• describe the principles of pain classification and pain analysis, and discuss these in relation to different types of pain
• provide examples of physiotherapeutic interventions applied to different types of pain and explain their possible underlying physiological mechanisms
• describe different principles of pharmacological pain management and their application
• explain individual variability in the experience of pain in relation to biopsychosocial factors and from a lifespan perspective, from childhood to older age

Pain physiotherapy, 4.5 credits

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• perform a basic clinical examination as part of a pain analysis, including anamnesis and a somatosensory examination
• propose and, at a basic level, justify individually tailored physiotherapeutic interventions and relate these to their mechanisms of action
• apply and adapt physiotherapeutic interventions for pain at a basic level, and demonstrate a respectful approach during practical skills training and assessment
• based on patient cases, describe the physiotherapy process for the assessment and management of pain from biopsychosocial and lifespan perspectives, from childhood to older age

Content

Pain physiology, 3.0 credits

• signalling pathways in the pain system
• endogenous pain-modulating systems
• pain classification
• pain analysis
• possible physiological mechanisms underlying physiotherapeutic pain-relieving interventions
• central mechanisms of relevance to the patient encounter
• pain pharmacology

Pain physiotherapy, 4.5 credits

• pain anamnesis and pain assessment
• assessment of somatosensory function
• provocation tests for musculoskeletal pain
• psychoeducation
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• physical activity and exercise (stabilisation training)
• soft tissue treatment (massage/tactile stimulation)
• body awareness training (KMT)

Teaching methods

The teaching is based on a student-centered approach and an active learning process, where the working methods provide the conditions for the student to take responsibility for knowledge development in a psychologically safe learning environment.

The teaching and learning activities used include lectures, practical skills training, laboratory sessions, seminars, individual study and group work. Part of the teaching is delivered interactively via the learning platform.

Examination

The course is examined through:

Pain physiology, 3.0 credits

• individual written examination

Compulsory course components:

• active participation in a laboratory session and seminar

Pain physiotherapy, 4.5 credits

• practical examination

Participation in at least six practical skills training sessions is required in order to take part in the examination. The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from practical skills training may be compensated for.

Compulsory course components:

• active participation in seminars and patient case work

The examiner assesses whether, and if so how, absence from mandatory course components can be made up. The student’s study results cannot be fully reported until the student has participated in the mandatory course components or made up the absence in accordance with the examiner’s instructions. Absence from a mandatory course component may mean that the student cannot make up the missed element until the next time the course is offered.

Late submitted examination assignments will not be considered. Students who do not submit on time are referred to the re‑examination session. The examiner assesses whether a student has special reasons for the delay. The examiner may decide on supplementary examination material in order for the student to achieve a passing result. A student who does not achieve a passing grade after three completed examination sessions may be offered the chance to retake the module or course once more. This is subject to availability.

A student who does not pass the regular examination is entitled to participate in an additional five examination occasions. This does not apply if the course has been discontinued or undergone major revisions. Each occasion on which the student has participated in the same examination/test is counted as an examination opportunity. Submission of a blank exam is regarded as an examination opportunity. A digital examination that has been opened counts as an examination opportunity, even if the examination is not submitted. An examination for which the student has registered but not attended is not counted as an examination opportunity.

If there are special reasons, or if adaptations are needed for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the course syllabus regulations regarding the form of examination, number of examination opportunities, possibility for supplementary work, or exemptions from mandatory course components, etc. The content and intended learning outcomes, as well as the required level of skills, knowledge, and competencies, may not be altered, removed, or lowered.

Transitional provisions

Examinations will be provided for one year following a potential discontinuation of the course or the implementation of a new course syllabus.

Other directives

The course is given in Swedish, teaching in Enligsh may occur.

Course evaluation is conducted in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.

The course may not be included in the degree together with a completed course whose content fully or partly overlaps with the content of this course.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

Norrbrink C, Lundeberg T, editors. Om smärta: ett fysiologiskt perspektiv. Lund: Studentlitteratur; 2021. ISBN: 9789144125831

Recommended literature

Yrkesföreningar för fysisk aktivitet. FYSS 2021: fysisk aktivitet i sjukdomsprevention och sjukdomsbehandling. Dohrn IM, Jansson E, Börjesson M, Hagströmer M, redaktörer. 4 reviderade uppl. Stockholm: Läkartidningen Förlag AB; 2021. ISBN: 9789198509823

Yrkesföreningar för fysisk aktivitet (YFA). Fysisk aktivitet i sjukdomsprevention och sjukdomsbehandling (FYSS 2017). Stockholm: Läkartidningen Förlag AB; 2017. ISBN: 9789198171129