Neuro: Upper-Limb Skill Acquisition in Standing & Walking

Topic

Upper-Limb Skill Acquisition in Standing & Walking

Programme

Day one focuses on the importance of the upper extremity in standing and walking by exploring the role of the upper limb in dynamic stability and its functional contribution to walking.

Day two also covers balance maintenance and stability in daily activities, progressing from clinical balance maintenance to resilient stability in complex, real-world environments.

Objectives

Clinical Challenge: Beyond the Therapy Gym

• Gaining the ability to prepare patients for real-life functional activities through environmental task analysis.
• Gaining the ability to critically evaluate standardised outcome measures.

Cognitive-Motor Interface: Journey to Automaticity

• Understanding why neural injury results in tasks becoming effortful and requiring conscious thought.
• Gaining the ability to analyse the trade-off between cognitive load, attention and postural stability.
• Understanding clinical application of internal vs external focus of attention during skilful upper-limb function.

Hypertonicity in Upper-Limb and Hand Function

• Understanding how hypertonicity influences the control of arm and hand function.
• Understanding clinical applications and the principles that guide treatment planning.

Functional Integration

• Developing strategies for incorporating upper-limb function and hypertonicity management into postural stability and walking.

Practical Intervention & Hands-on Lab

• Learning manual handling to optimise upper-limb alignment and function.
• Developing strategies and techniques to improving balance and stability during upper-limb functional tasks.
• Gaining the ability to use environmental facilitation to drive neuroplasticity and reduce cognitive effort.

 Methodology

An interactive two-day course that includes theory, practical sessions and patient demonstrations.

CPD points: 15