LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course students will learn to use spreadsheets and know the tools for the search of scientific articles of international literature, for the analysis of myoelectric signals, posture, motor performance, brain activation.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The teaching aims to:

- provide students with the basics concerning the scientific method and the instrumental evaluation,

- provide students with the tools to integrate with new "objective" and "quantitative" information the notions coming from other courses on the disciplines concerning the human behavioral sciences, the physiopathology of motor functions and disability, with attention to the developmental aspects,

- introduce new evaluation methodologies and techniques, with particular regard to the mechanisms involved in voluntary movement and locomotion,

- make students acquire the ability to observe and evaluate sensorimotor aspects in the developmental age, and to work in a multidisciplinary team for the setting of rehabilitation protocols and also to facilitate an early identification of development delays and/or disabilities.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

- know the basic elements of sensorimotor and cognitive disorders,

- know the principles of the main methodologies and techniques for the evaluation of sensorimotor and cognitive disorders: electromyography, posturography, baropodometry, systems for motion analysis based on cameras, innovative tools for quantitative evaluation of movements, functional magnetic resonance imaging, tools for signal visualization and processing,

- know and use the spreadsheets and the tools for the research of scientific articles of international literature and for the analysis of signals related to myoelectric activity, posture, motor performance, and brain activation,

- perform a bibliographic research and compare the applicable methodologies, based on their experience and available scientific evidence,

- apply observational and evaluation methods, specifically for sensorimotor and cognitive functions,

- critically evaluate a rehabilitation protocol and the results obtained for the individual patient and in relation to groups of patients or healthy subjects.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons and laboratory

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will address methodologies and evaluation techniques, with emphasis on the mechanisms involved in the voluntary movement and in locomotion. Specifically, the following topics will be covered: electromyography, posturography, baropodometry, kinematic motion capture analysis systems, innovative tools for quantitative assessment of motor performance, functional magnetic resonance imaging, instruments for scientific research, tools for signal display and processing.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides shown during the lectures and other material, including research articles