School of Physiotherapy
Research
AusToms
Information related to the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures (AusTOMS) can be found at the following address :
Cardiothoracic Research Centre
The Cardiothoracic Research Centre was established in January 2002 as part of a collaborative partnership between La Trobe University and The Alfred Hospital.
Musculoskeletal Research Centre
The webpage for the Musculoskeletal Research Centre can be found at the following address :
Research Opportunities - Projects currently on offer at the School of Physiotherapy
PhD
Project: Scheduling of exercise very early after stroke.
Synopsis: Using an animal model of stroke, this project will examine functional outcome in response to very early (<24 hours) or very frequent exercise after stroke. The project is an important sub-study of the ongoing large, multi-centre very early rehabilitation trial (AVERT) in stroke patients.
Supervisors: Assoc Prof Julie Bernhardt, Prof David Howells
Location: Basic Science Laboratory, Austin Health, Heidelberg.
Masters
Project: Development of a non-verbal scale to measure perceived exertion following exercise for people with stroke.
Synopsis: The Borg Perceived Exertion scale has been used in research examining the response of stroke patients to very early rehabilitation. However, the Borg cannot be used with patients with communication deficits after stroke. This project aims to develop and test the utility of a non-verbal version of the Borg scale.
Supervisors: Assoc Prof Julie Bernhardt, Dr Miranda Rose
PhD / Masters Projects
Project: Strength training after fracture of the distal radius.
Synopsis: This project will investigate the effect of including progressive resistance exercise as part of fracture rehabilitation.
Supervisors: Prof Nicholas Taylor, Dr Tania Pizzari
Project: Muscle activity characteristics in multidirectional instability of the shoulder: implication for rehabilitation.
Synopsis: This project will develop and evaluate a rehabilitation program for the treatment of multidirectional instability of the shoulder using electromyography (EMG).
Supervisors: Dr Tania Pizzari, Dr James Wickham
Project: Barriers to participation in physical activity for people with disability.
Synopsis: This project will identify and test the effectiveness of strategies that can increase the regular physical activity of Victorians with disabilities and moderate to high support needs.
Supervisors: Prof Karen Dodd, Prof Nicholas Taylor, Dr Nora Shields
Project: Cardiorespiratory demands and safety of the six-minute walk test in interstitial lung disease.
Synopsis: The six-minute walk test is a commonly used assessment tool for patients with interstitial lung disease, however it provides limited information about adverse physiological events during exercise. The aims of this research are to compare the cardiorespiratory responses to 6MWT and CPET, and to determine whether the 6MWT is safe as a stand-alone test of exercise capacity in ILD.
Supervisor: Dr Anne Holland
Project: Physical training in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Synopsis: Pulmonary hypertension has historically been considered to be a contraindication to exercise training; however, recent guidelines have suggested that a closely supervised program may be undertaken for the treatment of functional limitation. The aim of this study will be to evaluate the safety and efficacy of physical training in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic lung disease.
Supervisor: Dr Anne Holland
Project: Why don’t people attend Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Synopsis: The benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation are well-documented, yet a significant proportion of patients who are referred to such programs never attend. The aim of this study is to investigate barriers to attendance at Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs.
Supervisor: Dr Anne Holland
Project: Early rehabilitation for patients with COPD.
Synopsis: Functional exercise capacity and muscle strength decline over the course of a hospital admission for COPD, and these deficits persist over time. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of a structured exercise program, commenced in the inpatient setting, on functional outcomes and readmissions in patients with COPD.
Supervisor: Dr Anne Holland
|
