Department of Neurological Physiotherapy

The national curriculum sets the aim of neurological physiotherapy teaching as enabling students to carry out physiotherapy and functional assessment and to treat neurological conditions competently. In the fourth year, students study neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery alongside physiotherapy for adult and paediatric neurological conditions. They learn detailed neurological examination, standardised outcome scales and the main neurophysiological treatment approaches, and apply them to conditions of the brain, spinal cord, cerebellum, muscles and peripheral nerves, including care in the ICU and before and after neurosurgery.

Subjects we teach

• BPT-401
  Neurology, including Psychiatry & NeurosurgeryYear 4 · Theory · 120 hours

  Causes, clinical features, investigations (CT, MRI, EMG, NCV, CSF) and management of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular disorders and psychiatric conditions.

• BPT-402
  Physiotherapy in Adult & Paediatric Neurological and Neurosurgical ConditionsYear 4 · Theory + Practical · 210 hours

  Neurological assessment and outcome scales, neurophysiological treatment approaches, neurological gait, care before and after neurosurgery, and a full section on paediatric neurology and development.

What you will learn

• Carry out a full neurological assessment: higher mental functions, cranial nerves, motor system (power, tone, spasticity), reflexes, superficial, deep and cortical sensation, balance, coordination and gait
• Use standard outcome scales to measure impairment and function, and track change over time
• Apply the main neurophysiological treatment approaches in adults and children
• Assess and retrain neurological gait patterns (hemiplegic, Parkinsonian, high-stepping, waddling, scissoring, ataxic and others)
• Manage patients before and after neurosurgery, including in the ICU, with bladder and bowel training and transfers and walking for patients with spinal injuries
• Prescribe aids, appliances and orthoses, and educate patients and caregivers
• Understand neuro-diagnostic investigations (CT, MRI, evoked potentials, EMG, NCV, CSF) and apply yoga in neurological conditions

Conditions & clinical areas

Brain

• Stroke (CVA, TIA)
• Head injury and traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumours
• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• Perceptual disorders
• Epilepsy
• Dementia

Movement & degenerative disorders

• Parkinson's disease
• Dystonia
• Chorea
• Multiple sclerosis
• Motor neuron disease and ALS
• Cerebellar ataxias

Spinal cord

• Spinal cord injury
• Transverse myelitis
• Syringomyelia
• Spinal tumours
• Disc herniation and stenosis
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction

Neuromuscular & peripheral nerves

• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Lambert–Eaton syndrome
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Poliomyelitis and post-polio syndrome
• Guillain–Barré syndrome
• Hereditary neuropathy
• Brachial and lumbosacral plexus lesions
• Median, ulnar and radial nerve palsies
• Sciatic and peroneal nerve palsies
• Bell's palsy

Other areas

• Vertigo and imbalance (vestibular)
• Psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders
• Neuro ICU care
• Pre- and post-neurosurgery care

Laboratory

The neuro-physiotherapy laboratory is equipped in line with the NCAHP minimum standards for assessment and rehabilitation. Students practise positioning and facilitation techniques, transfers, balance and gait training, and sensory testing here before they work with patients.

• Suspension frame
• Parallel bars
• Staircase
• Balance boards
• Transfer boards
• Wheelchairs
• Crutches
• Mats
• Gym balls
• Bolsters and wedges
• Pillows for positioning
• Monofilament sensory testing kits
• Reflex hammers

For senior students, the norms also list EMG/NCV and EMG biofeedback units in the electrotherapy & electrodiagnosis laboratory. See all laboratories

Clinical postings

In the fourth-year Clinical Rotation (BPT-409), students are posted to Neurology, Neurosurgery & Neuro ICU, and see neurological patients in the Physiotherapy OPD. Children with neurodevelopmental conditions are seen in the Developmental Paediatrics & Child Guidance Clinic posting, and the Geriatric (old age homes) posting covers falls and dementia.

Career & higher study

Neurological physiotherapists work in hospitals and neuro ICUs, rehabilitation and community-based rehabilitation services, home-based care and senior citizen centres. The national handbook notes that early exercise programmes for neurological conditions reduce disability, and calls for physiotherapists in early identification and intervention centres.

RCP offers the BPT only. These MPT specialties are described as pathways after graduation. See Courses Offered.

Faculty

The department is staffed as per NCAHP faculty norms. Under these norms, neurology and neurosurgery are taught by teachers with a postgraduate qualification in the specialty, and physiotherapy by faculty holding a BPT and an MPT. Meet our faculty.