Treating Locomotor Disease

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/B_LOCOMOTOR

Course Objective

1. Knowledge and Understanding:A general knowledge of and insight into the main clinical issues (epidemiology, pathophysiology, consequences and treatment modalities) with regard to diseases that affect the locomotor system.Knowledge of current research questions and translational research projects at VU/AmsterdamUmc/Amsterdam Movement SciencesA general knowledge of and insight into relevant aspects of Data Management2. Applying knowledge and Understanding:The ability to integrate knowledge from human movement sciences and different fields of (rehabilitation-) medicineThe ability to frame tentative research questions relevant to a specific locomotor disease, by applying knowledge from human movement science.3. Making Judgments:The ability to reflect on ethical and practical issues that constrain the feasibility to perform applied studies in the area of locomotor diseases.The ability to formulate relevant hypotheses regarding research questions on translational research in (loco)motor diseases.The ability to reflect on the scientific relevance and societal value of achievements in translational research on locomotor diseases.4. Communication:The ability to communicate with fellow researchers as well as clinicians, and finding ways to bridge gaps between different conceptual frameworks that are current in human movement science and medicine5. Learning skills:The ability to write a research proposal that could serve as starting point for a research master thesis (i.e. a scientific report in the form of a scientific (peer-reviewed) paper).

Course Content

This course provides an overview of leading innovative research and (para) medical treatments in the fields locomotor disease, clinical rehabilitation and movement sciences. Each topic of this module is designed around a clinical theme, i.e. a specific disease or disorder. A general introduction will include a discussion on the main clinical problems, related to the design of possible new treatments. This discussion will be focused on how methods and techniques from the several medical disciplines as well as the movement sciences are being applied to study and treat locomotor disease. Both neurological diseases (progressive as well as non progressive) as degenerative diseases of the skeletal system will be discussed. Also general principles of clinical movement analysis and outcome measurements are part of this module.

Teaching Methods

See course Manual on Canvas Interactive lectures on Selected Topics Total about 14-16 2 hour lectures, followed by a period of writing a research proposal under guidance of an appointed supervisor. Possible topics (depending on availability of lecturers): How to write a Research Proposal Grant Writing Joint Replacement Parkinson’s Disease Cerebral Palsy Cerebro Vascular Accident Clinical Movement Analysis Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis Endocrinology/Osteoporosis Multiple Sclerosis Ankylosing Spondilitis Amputation/ prosthetics Spinal Cord Injury Diabetic Foot Neuromuscular Diseases

Method of Assessment

Peer review and feedback procedure: pass/fail + paper: research proposal grade 100%

Literature

literature to be studied, typically specific to topic of Research Proposal, see instructions in course manualadditional literature: see instructions in course manual

Target Audience

Students of the research master Human Movement Sciences

Custom Course Registration

For more info please see Canvas.

Additional Information

All lectures will be given by different (guest-)lecturers, e.g. professors, researchers, doctors, surgeons, all members from the Amsterdam Movement Sciences research institute https://www.amsterdamumc.org/research/institutes/amsterdam-movement-scie i.e. who are all practicing their profession at the interface of science and clinical practice in different areas of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Please note that there is only place for 20 students in this course. If you are too late and that number has already been reached, there is nothing we can do for you.

Entry Requirements

Not applicable

Explanation Canvas

Up to date Course Manual is posted on CANVAS and leading in accurate information
Academic year1/09/2531/08/26
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master