Pain, Brain Function and Motor Control
- Faculty
Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences
- Version
Version 1 of 20.06.2025.
- Module identifier
22B1924
- Module level
Bachelor
- Language of instruction
English
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only winter term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
This module provides knowledge about pain and its influence on the brain. Changes with consequences for (motor) function and quality of life are explained. In the area of motor function as well as in the areas of balance and posture, assessments and treatment strategies are established based on current evidence.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
1. Influence of pain on motor functions
- The neuromatrix and pain (the influence of pain on the neuromatrix)
- Mirror neurons during pain
- Pain and its consequences for the brain: loss of lateralization and neglect
- Contextual factors, pain and motor control
2. Assessment and rehabilitation
- Recognition of changes in lateralization during pain
- Mentally controlled training (mental training)
- Visualization and kinesthesia
- Graded Motor Imagery.
3. Balance and posture (GBH)- Definitions and neurophysiological mechanisms of balance, equilibrium and posture (GBH).
- Disturbance mechanisms and assessment, differential diagnosis of GBH.
- Current treatment strategies such as Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE).
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 60 Seminar Presence or online - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 90 Preparation/follow-up for course work -
- Graded examination
- Homework / Assignment or
- Written examination or
- Project Report, written
- Remark on the assessment methods
The selection of the graded and ungraded examination types from the given options is the responsibility of the respective teacher. In doing so, the teacher adheres to the respective valid study regulations.
- Exam duration and scope
The following information on the scope and duration applies to the types of examination permitted in the module.
- Written examination: see valid study regulations
- Term paper: approx. 15 pages
- Project report, written: approx. 15-20 pages, excluding appendices.
The requirements are specified in the respective course.
- Recommended prior knowledge
Module: "Fundamentals of Neuroscience Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy"
- Knowledge Broadening
Students have broad knowledge of the pathobiological background of pain mechanisms and their influence on neuromotor functional circuits. They understand the changes in the neuromatrix and the morphological changes of the brain and know the consequences for the motor system as well as GBH.
- Knowledge deepening
Students will deepen their knowledge of neuropathological and functional adaptations of the brain to pain. Students will be able to interpret and reflect on the influence of pain on motor control and will be able to assess the general consequences for motor rehabilitation processes based on international guidelines for the classification of pain.
- Knowledge Understanding
Students will have manual as well as cognitive skills and be able to apply them in daily practice on individual patients in situations both familiar and new to them.
- Communication and Cooperation
Students will have communication skills to explain the mechanisms of pain as well as its consequences for motor learning and rehabilitation in daily practice to both their patients and professional colleagues, including GHB
- Literature
- Butler D, Moseley L(2009). Schmerz Verstehen. Springer-Verlag, 2009
- Butler D, Moseley L,(2020)The Graded Motor Imagery Handbook 2nd version , NOI group
- Moseley, G.L. and Butler, D.S.(2017) Explain pain supercharged. NOI.
- Birklbauer, J.(2006) Modelle der Motorik: eine vergleichende Analyse moderner Kontroll-, Steuerungs-und Lernkonzepte(Vol. 5). Meyer & Meyer Verlag.
- Møller, A.R., (2012.)Pain: its anatomy, physiology and treatment. Aage R. Moller, Publishing.
- Louw, A., Nijs, J. and Puentedura, E.J.,(2017) A clinical perspective on a pain neuroscience education approach to manual therapy. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 25(3), pp.160-168.
- Linkage to other modules
The module is related to modules on the topic "Fundamentals of Neuroscience Neuromusculoskeletal Therapy" and deals with the scientific classification of current evidence from the subject.
- Applicability in study programs
- Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy B.Sc. (01.03.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Piekartz, Herman Josef Maria
- Teachers
- Unknown person
- Piekartz, Daniela