99991 - TERAPIA MANUALE NELLE LOMBALGIE

Course contents

The course explores the role of manual therapy in the management of low back pain according to the principles of the Evidence-Based Practice, integrating clinical reasoning with the most recent scientific evidence and the biopsychosocial model of musculoskeletal pain.

The course covers the following topics:

• definition, epidemiology and classification of low back pain according to the main international clinical practice guidelines;
• pathophysiology and pain mechanisms underlying low back pain;
• the biopsychosocial model and prognostic factors associated with persistent low back pain;
• clinical assessment of individuals with low back pain, including the identification of red flags and yellow flags;
• the role of manual therapy in the management of low back pain according to current scientific evidence;
• indications, contraindications and limitations of spinal mobilisation and manipulation techniques;
• integration of manual therapy with therapeutic exercise, patient education and self-management strategies;
• critical appraisal of the scientific literature concerning manual therapy for low back pain;
• guided discussion of clinical cases and application of clinical reasoning to physiotherapy decision-making.

The course also promotes the development of transferable skills related to the critical appraisal of scientific evidence, clinical decision-making, and effective communication with patients.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials

Lecture slides will be made available through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale).

For each topic, selected scientific papers, systematic reviews, international clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents will be provided through the Virtual Learning Environment and will be accessible via the University Library System.

Particular emphasis will be placed on international clinical practice guidelines for the management of low back pain and systematic reviews evaluating the effectiveness of manual therapy.

 

Further readings

Additional scientific literature will be recommended throughout the course to support further study of specific manual therapy techniques and their physiological rationale.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered through face-to-face interactive teaching.

Teaching activities include:

• interactive lectures supported by multimedia presentations;
• guided discussion of clinical cases;
• critical appraisal of scientific literature;
• practical laboratory sessions focusing on the assessment and application of the main manual therapy techniques for the lumbar spine;
• clinical reasoning exercises aimed at selecting the most appropriate physiotherapy intervention according to individual patient characteristics and the best available evidence.

 

Safety requirements

Considering the practical nature of some teaching activities, attendance at laboratory sessions may require completion of the University safety training programme, in accordance with the requirements established by the Degree Programme.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment consists of a computer-based multiple-choice examination, followed by feedback on the overall performance.

The examination is designed to assess:

• knowledge of the theoretical principles of manual therapy for low back pain;
• understanding of the available scientific evidence;
• the ability to identify the indications and contraindications of the main manual therapy techniques;
• the ability to integrate manual therapy with therapeutic exercise and patient education;
• the application of clinical reasoning to simple clinical scenarios.

The examination lasts about 30 minutes.

During the examination, the use of textbooks, lecture notes, electronic devices or any other supporting material is not permitted.

The course assessment is based on a pass/fail evaluation.

Students obtain a Pass upon:

• attendance of the scheduled learning activities, including practical laboratory sessions;
• successful completion of the final assessment.

No mid-term assessments or pre-examination assignments are required.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

With regard to assessment, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is prohibited. Any use of AI during the examination constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

 

Students with temporary or permanent disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are encouraged to contact the University's support services well in advance so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged, consistently with the learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

The following learning resources will be made available through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale):

• lecture slides;
• scientific articles;
• international clinical practice guidelines;
• systematic reviews;
• consensus documents;
• additional learning resources.

Generative Artificial Intelligence may be used as a study support tool, for example to summarise learning materials, rephrase concepts and facilitate self-assessment. Students remain responsible for critically evaluating the scientific accuracy and reliability of AI-generated outputs before incorporating them into their learning process.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Turolla