Module: Pain Science and Applied Modalities

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Pain Science and Applied Modalities
Module Code	TRE1038
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Health & Human Performance
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Pain is a complex phenomenon affecting individuals, families, and society. This module equips atheltic therapy students with a deep understanding of pain science, assessment, and management within a biopsychosocial framework. Covering pain mechanisms, evidence-based assessments, and patient-centered care, students develop skills to manage pain across diverse populations. Emphasis is placed on communication, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The module explores athletic therapy role in pain management and non-pharmacological interventions, ensuring holistic, evidence-informed treatment plans. By integrating theory with clinical practice, graduates emerge as empathetic professionals, skilled in research, critical thinking, and best-practice implementation across varied healthcare settings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the physiological, neurological, and multidimensional nature of acute and chronic pain including nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic pain.
2. Apply a biopsychosocial approach to pain assessment, distinguishing pain mechanisms and utilizing appropriate measurement tools across the lifespan.
3. Develop, justify, and implement individualized, evidence-based pain management plans while educating patients and collaborating with healthcare professionals.
4. Assess and manage pain in diverse populations, considering biopsychosocial factors, health inequalities, and pharmacological options within multidisciplinary care.
5. Engage in ethical, patient-centered decision-making while collaborating with healthcare teams to optimize pain management.
6. Students will understand the principles underlying a variety of therapeutic modalities and be competent in their safe application in order to modulate pain and support rehabilitation

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	Lecture
Group work	25	Collaborative group work on tasks
Independent Study	70	Directed and self directed learning and practice
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12175	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kate Sheridan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Students will collaborate in small groups to produce short, publicly accessible videos on pain-related topics.	35%	n/a
Oral Examination	Using a case based examination format, learners will be asked to discuss and justify their pain management approach for a particular presentation, with reference to the literature.	45%	n/a
Practical/skills evaluation	Students will demonstrate their competencies in the safe clinical application of one electrophysical modalities (e.g., therapeutic heat, cryotherapy, ultrasound, low level laser therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, interferential current and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Reading List

Books:

David S Butler, G Lorimer Moseley: 0, Explain Pain, 2, Noigroup Publications,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None