Assessment of walking function in children and adults with motor disorders, 7.5 credits

A professional degree of at least 120 credits is required in physiotherapy, medicine, prosthetics and orthotics, or physical education. Alternatively a Bachelor's Degree in Podiatry. And proficiency in Swedish and English equivalent to Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6.

The aim of the course is to increase the knowledge in assessment of gait function in children/youth and adults with physical disability. The students should be given possibility to develop the ability to analyse the influence of physical disability on gait function and give treatment suggestion.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- make an assessment of the walking ability by means of relevant methods and assessment tools
- analyse factors that influence walking ability in various physical disabilities
- propose and justify treatment suggestions

The course is built-up with lectures about:
- physical disability in children/youth and adults based on an overview of relevant literature
- orthopaedics, neurology, surgery, medical treatment
- orthotic devices; analysis of need of orthoses, indications
- biomechanical principles, movement and gait analysis
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The following assessment instrument is used:
- ICF-criteria (International Classification of Function and Disability) on body -, activity - and level of participation and environmental factors
- visual observation of gait
- three-dimensional movement and gait analysis
- measurement tools for muscle activity and muscle strength

The teaching is given through lectures, seminars and workshops, which all have obligatory attendance. Articles for self-study will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
The responsible kurs leader assesses whether absence from obligatory moments can be compensated for. Only for a student who has has taken part in the obligatory moments or compensated for possible absence, study results can be reported.

Written assignment containing observation of a patient case from the student's own activities. Presentation in seminars during the last days of the course.

A student who has failed in the regular examination, is allowed to take part in five more examinations. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no more examination is offered.

Examination will be provided during a period of two years after a close-down of the course. Examination may take place under a previous reading list during a period of one year after the date of the renewal of the reading list.

Language of instruction: Swedish