Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Therapeutic Modalities (Face-to-Face)

KIN 4450-01

Course: KIN 4450-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31385

Course Description

This course is designed for students pursuing an allied health profession. It will provide instruction in the theory and application of various therapeutic modalities for the care and treatment of injuries, emphasizing cryotherapy, thermal therapy, and electrical modalities. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): KIN 2880 and KIN 3020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

Starkey, C. (2013). Therapeutic Modalities (4th ed.): F.A. Davis. ISBN: 978-0-8036-2593-8. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain tissue response to injury.
  2. Define and classify the various types of therapeutic modalities.
  3. Describe theoretical uses of the various types of therapeutic modalities (e.g., cryotherapy, thermotherapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, mechanical, etc.) and identify appropriate implementation procedures (parameters, indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, etc.).
 

Course Requirements

Exit Tickets: "Exit tickets" take place after each class period during which content was delivered throughout the semester. These are intended to serve as low stakes testing and the results will help guide the instructor led "review" at the beginning of the following class period.

Laboratory Reports: Various laboratory type activities will take place in class over the course of the semester, which are intended to expose students to real world application of the various therapeutic modalities discussed in this course. Individual laboratory report worksheets. Each of these worksheets should be printed at the beginning of the semester and brought to class each day (or downloaded to a computer if you plan to bring one each day). After completing an activity in class, you should complete the corresponding laboratory report worksheet and upload it to the corresponding Canvas assignment by the due date announced in class and provided on Canvas (usually prior to the start of the following class period).
 
Clinical Decision Worksheets: Clinical decision worksheets will be assigned throughout the semester and are intended to provide opportunities for you to apply material covered in class to clinical/real world scenarios.  In addition, they provide opportunities for you to practice making decisions with respect to parameter selection.  Each worksheet should be completed by typing your answers into the Word document provided on Canvas.

Written Quizzes: Quizzes will be given throughout the semester and are intended to encourage you to study the material throughout the semester. They are also designed to measure your attainment and retention of the information.  These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, short answer).

Written Exams: Written exams will be given throughout the semester and are designed to measure your attainment and retention of information presented during this course. These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, short answer).
 
Grade Scheme: Final grades will be determined based on the percentage of the total number of points earned from the maximum possible points.  The specific assessment methods for this course, and the corresponding percentages are listed below: 
Exit Tickets 3.3%
Laboratory Reports 10.1%
Clinical Decision Worksheets 13.5% 
Quizzes 16.9% 
Written Exams I & II 33.7% 
Written Exam III 22.5% 
Total: 100% (445 points)

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A | ≥94
A- | 90-93%
B+ | 88-89%
B | 84-87%
B- | 80-83%
C+ | 78-79%
C | 74-77%
C- | 70-73%
D+ | 68-69%
D | 64-67%
D- | 60-63%
F | ≤59% 

Course Outline

Introduction & Injury Response: Brief overview of the purpose of modalities and the healing process, as well as the general role modalities play across various phases of healing.
Physiology & Psychology of Pain: Pain involves both physical and mental components that influence how it is experienced and managed. Discussions will focus on applicable pain management theories.
Thermal Modalities: Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of cryotherapy and thermotherapy.
Electrical Stimulation: Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of electrical stimulation.
Therapeutic Ultrasound:  Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of therapeutic ultrasound.
Diathermy: Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of diathermy. 
Mechanical Modalities: Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of various mechanical modalities (traction, intermittent compression, massage, etc.).
Phototherapy: Discussion of the proposed effects, indications, contraindications, parameters and methods related to the application of light therapy.  

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 All assignments, quizzes and exams must be taken at the scheduled time (see tentative schedule & Canvas Calendar for specific due dates & times), unless PRIOR consent is given by the instructor. If you miss class you will not receive any credit for in-class activities (lab reports, etc.) and you will not be allowed to makeup the any activities missed (lab reports, quizzes, exams, etc.). Exceptions to this policy will only be made if the student misses:

  1. for school-related activities that are made known to the instructor PRIOR to the date of absence.
  2. for extreme medical or family emergencies when presented with proper evidence (e.g., physician note, funeral program) within a week of being absent.

 I do not offer individual make-up or extra credit assignments. In general, I do not offer extra-credit, but if an opportunity arises it will be offered to all students. 

Attendance Policy

To ensure you understand and are able to apply the materials covered in this course, attendance and participation in class discussions and activities are mandatory. You are responsible to get all missed material, announcements, assignments, and class discussion notes from other students.  After you have reviewed the materials from other students, I am happy to clarify specific points that remain unclear during office hours.  However, I will not provide private lectures (e.g., go over every single point).  You are also expected to come to class on time. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.