Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2020 - BPK 448 D100

Rehabilitation of Movement Control (3)

Class Number: 2328

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2020
    Wed, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BPK 201 or 207, and BPK 306, or for biomedical engineering students, BPK 201, 208 and 308.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course is aimed at students interested in neuromuscular rehabilitation. Students will learn about the pathological origins of movement disorders associated with impaired function of sensory and motor systems. The course will be focused on the stages and strategies for recovery of voluntary control of essential functions. The range of rehabilitation interventions available to assist recovery and restore voluntary control will be explored, with special emphasis on advanced techniques to restore control of movement and bodily functions in paralyzed people.

COURSE DETAILS:

13 weeks x 3 Lecture hours per week

Target students are senior biomedical physiology, kinesiology and biomedical engineering majors interested in

  1. The human body’s intrinsic capacity and physiological limitations for recovery from severe neurological trauma or disease that cause paralysis, movement disorders and/or sensory deficits
  2. Current and emerging approaches to restore, augment or replace the functions of affected muscles or organs
  3. Insights on clinical trials, regulatory requirements & commercialization pathway for innovative therapies. 
The course explores a wide range of rehabilitation options and their risks, ethics, costs & benefits. Emphasis will be placed on advanced neuroprosthetic therapies that use targeted electrical stimulation to protect, restore or enhance voluntary control of basic functions and/or support independence in activities of daily living.

TOPICS:    
  • Review of neuromuscular mechanisms for normal movement control
  • Pathologies that affect sensory and motor functions
    • Brain, spinal cord, spinal roots, peripheral nerves, muscles; somatic & autonomic
  • Capacity for self-repair and regeneration after injury of peripheral vs. central neural systems
    • Acute vs. chronic consequences of neurological injury or disease
  • Assessment of functional loss
    • Classification standards for impairment vs. disability
  • Approaches to restoring or replacing lost or diminished neuromuscular function
    • Physiotherapy - pharmacotherapy - surgical reconstruction - targeted electrical stimulation
  • Neural prostheses      
    • Guidelines for safe and effective electrical stimulation of excitable tissues
    • Approaches designed for temporary or permanent interfacing with the nervous system
    • External vs. partially implanted vs. fully implanted neurostimulation systems
  • Neuromodulation for treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy, movement disorders
  • Preventing or restoring impaired motor/sensory function with functional electrical stimulation
  • Neuroprosthetic approaches for voluntary control of artificial limbs
    • Open-loop vs. closed-loop control
    • Tapping available command signal sources for prosthesis control
    • Sensors and sensory feedback sources for prosthesis control
  • The path to commercialization of therapeutic innovations
    • R&D, funding sources, pre-clinical & clinical validation of safety & efficacy, regulatory approval
  • Determinants of commercial viability and market success                
    • Functionality vs. availability vs. cost: meeting expectations of patients, physicians and payers

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Describe differences and similarities in the regenerative capacity of peripheral neurons vs. central neurons after injury.
  • Describe reasons for differences in the acute and chronic consequences of brain injuries.
  • Discuss current classification standards for impairment vs. disability after injury or disease.
  • Design basic therapeutic plans for restoring or replacing lost neuromuscular function using physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, reconstructive surgery and/or targeted electrical stimulation.
  • Apply accepted guidelines for safe and effective electrical stimulation of excitable tissues.
  • For a given impairment, evaluate the relative benefits and drawbacks of neurostimulation systems that use totally external vs. partially implanted vs. fully implanted components.
  • Describe current uses of neuromodulation for treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy and movement disorders.
  • Evaluate possibilities for using neuromodulation to treat additional neurological disorders.
  • Describe uses of functional electrical stimulation to protect muscles from disuse atrophy or to restore muscle strength in disused muscles.
  • Describe neuroprosthetic systems that enhance voluntary control of artificial limbs by amputees.
  • Explain the roles and uses of sensors and sensory feedback for prosthesis control.
  • Describe regulatory requirements to develop, test and commercialize a therapeutic innovation.
  • Analyze the basic determinants of commercial viability and market success for a new therapy.
  • Apply knowledge learned in class to diagnose and “treat” new patient scenarios in exams.
  • Apply knowledge learned in class to evaluate new therapeutic solutions first described in exams.

Grading

  • In-class Exam 1 30%
  • In-class Exam 2 30%
  • In-class Exam 3 30%
  • Final Exam 40%

NOTES:

* Course marks will be based on the best 2 out 3 scores in in-class exams (worth up to 60%) plus the final exam (40%).   
All exams will be closed-book.    
The first in-class exam will consist of an individual portion (90 minutes; worth 25% of course marks) followed by a collaborative portion (20 minutes; 5% of course marks) in which pre-assigned teams of 3 or 4 students will work together to answer the questions and each student will then provide written answers.   
In-class exams 2 and 3 and the final exam will only have individual questions.

REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK: none 
The instructor will regularly communicate with the students via email.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

LECTURE SLIDES will be posted weekly by instructor in the course website.
Background articles, news will be posted by instructor in the course website.  

RECOMMENDED READING:

Review articles, suggested background articles, news will be posted by instructor in the course website.  

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Missed Exam:

Students who miss examinations due to exceptional circumstances (such as serious illness or compassionate reasons) are required to obtain a physician's certificate, whereby the physician states that you were unable to write your midterm or final on the set date due to a medical condition beyond your control, or other supporting documents in order to obtain consideration in the course. Such documents must be filed with the Department Chair (via the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology office) or Registrar within four calendar days of the date on which the examination was to have been written. Exceptional circumstances must be approved by the Undergraduate Program Committee in order for a student to receive consideration. Students must check the examination schedule when making course selections. Students are reminded that final examinations may be scheduled at any time during the examination period and that students should avoid making travel or employment arrangements for this period. In the event of a missed midterm or final examination the instructors reserve the right to give an oral examination of the material. Approximate midterm dates are provided, but may be subject to change.

BPK Grading Policy

For more information on the department's grading policy & guidelines go to:  
 
http://www.sfu.ca/bpk/undergrad_program/faqs.html

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS