Course Objectives

Each course module has speific objectives to complete. Scroll below to see what each objective will cover.

Regulations

Discuss the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., position on physical agent modality use and educational preparation
Identify your state’s regulatory agencies which govern the use of physical agents by occupational therapy practitioners and read the rules and regulations

Classify types of soft tissue injuries
Address the three phases of repair (inflammation, proliferation, and maturation)
Discuss the cellular processes occurring in each phase
Review appropriate intervention methods based on research findings
Describe complications that interfere with normal healing

Define the type or category of pain
Describe primary causes of the pain
List the factors that contribute to pain
Discuss assessment and intervention strategies available for the pain conditions
Describe other medical or psychosocial conditions which should influence the choice of treatment of pain conditions

List the biophysical and biophysiological changes which occur with Cryotherapy
Identify the indications, contraindications and precautions for the application of cold agents
Demonstrate the clinical reasoning involved in the application of cold agents
Identify commonly used types of cold agents
Describe the application procedures for each cold modality presented in this module
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of cryotherapy agents
Discuss essential elements of documentation for cryotherapy agents

Define the term superficial thermal agent
Differentiate between the two commonly used methods of heat transfer: conduction and convection
Discuss the four biophysical effects of heat
Describe the physiologic response to tissue secondary to temperature elevation
Differentiate between mild, moderate and vigorous dosages of heat
List indications, precautions, and contraindications that should be considered when using superficial thermal agents
Describe the proper clinical applications for hot packs, paraffin bath, fluidotherapy, light, whirlpool, and contrast bath
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of superficial thermal agents
Discuss essential elements of documentation for superficial thermal agents

Discuss the theory and rationale for the application of therapeutic deep thermal modalities (such as ultrasound, low level laser therapy [LLLT], diathermy, and phonophoresis)
Outline and differentiate between the parameters for therapeutic ultrasound
Outline current research trends in the utilization of deep thermal modalities
Demonstrate clinical decision making in the determination of the appropriate treatment parameters for deep thermal modalities
Discuss the clinical procedures for the application of deep thermal modalities
Present guidelines for the safe use of deep thermal modalities stating contraindications and precautions for treatment
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of deep thermal agents. discuss essential elements of documentation for deep thermal agents

Identify the relationship between technical terminology and sensory responses
Describe the biophysical and biophysiological changes associated with electrotherapy
Discuss the available parameters of electrical stimulation devices\describe the principles and concepts of electricity
Identify the physiological effects of electrical stimulation using alternating current, direct current, and pulsatile current

Define the therapeutic goals of electrical therapy
Identify the physiological events associated with electrical stimulation
Define the distinguishing characteristic and indications and contraindications of electrical stimulation
Distinguish the physiological effects of various parameters of electrical stimulation (voltage, type, dosage, duty cycle, etc.)
Discuss the therapeutic relationship of electrotherapy with other therapeutic procedures
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Discuss essential elements of documentation for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Describe the clinical application of electrical stimulation in rehabilitation
Outline and discuss the clinical reasoning process used to determine selection of NMES and appropriate parameters
Describe the intervention parameters of therapeutic electrical currents for re-education, strengthening, spasticity reduction, FES, etc
Identify the biophysiological responses to electrical currents for alternating and direct current modalities
Discuss the indications and contraindications for NMES use
Identify appropriate electrode placement for various intervention protocols
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Discuss essential elements of documentation for neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Describe the clinical applications for iontophoresis
Discuss the biophysiology and mechanism related to transdermal delivery of medication
Identify common medications used in iontophoresis and their pharmacological characteristics
Outline clinical decision making regarding iontophoresis, indications and precautions
Discuss appropriate patient education procedures for safe application of iontophoresis
Discuss essential elements of documentation for iontophoresis

Discuss the following processes in pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, and metabolism
Explain the processes of pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics as it pertains to routine drugs used in Phonophoresis and Iontophoresis
Discuss the effects of physical agents, exercise, and manual techniques on pharmacokinetics
Discuss the aging process as it relates to pharmacokinetics