Research
Masters Degree in Medicine, University of Melbourne
Tara Sharpley, Senior Physiotherapist, Neurology
"Determining Differences in Stroke Unit Care: Melbourne versus Trondheim."
This project aims to compare and contrast both qualitative and quantitative data of two stroke units; St Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway and Austin Health and seeks to better define the factors that may explain how stroke units achieve improved outcomes. The Trondheim Unit has been a world leader in the establishment of a very early rehabilitation program for acute stroke patients.
A retrospective history audit will provide data on process of care indicators from the two stroke units. In addition the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews of multidisciplinary staff will offer qualitative data for comparison.
Supervisors: Professor Geoff Donnan, Director of Neurology, Dr Julie Bernhardt, Senior Research Physiotherapist, National Stroke Research Institute, Austin Health.
Master of Physiotherapy by Research, University of Melbourne
Paul Smith, Senior Physiotherapist Aged Care
"Physical Activity Patterns in Elderly Patients"
This project examined the physical activity patterns of 25 elderly patients admitted for rehabilitation and compared them to those of a group of community living subjects. Subjects wore a small automated motion sensor for three consecutive days to measure the frequency and duration of uptime. Of interest was whether physical activity levels changed when therapy was and was not available and whether, physical activity levels varied according to the time of day. There were significant differences between both groups, raising questions as to the opportunities available for inpatients to be active.
Supervisors: Professor Mary Galea, Associate Professor Michael Woodward
Santha Tisseverasinghe, Senior Physiotherapist, Continence Service
"Diagnostic Transabdominal Ultrasound as Biofeedback in the management of urinary incontinence in the elderly".
This project seeks to demonstrate that ultrasound examination performed through the lower abdominal wall is as least as effective as internal examination in providing biofeedback on the strength of contraction of the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Supervisors: Professor Mary Galea, Dr Margaret Bird, Consultant Geriatrician
Masters Degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation, Victoria University
Emma Grant, Physiotherapy Assistant, Veterans Outpatient Program
"Development of Outcome Measures for the Veterans Workgroup Exercise Class using the Gait Mat"
Currently on leave and no further information available
PhD
Sue Berney, Grade 4 Physiotherapist, Intensive Care
"Development of a predictive model of airway management for patients with quadriplegia"
Current clinical practice as to how to provide airway management in acute quadriplegia is arbitrary. This project seeks to develop the evidence to support the development of clinical guidelines to assist clinicians to decide on management options for this patient group including extubation cf tracheostomy.
Supervisors Dr Helen Opdam Consultant Intensivist, Dr Linda Denehy, Senior Lecturer, Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne
Felicity Blackstock, Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist
"Understanding the role of education in pulmonary rehabilitation"
There is strong evidence to support the exercise component of pulmonary rehabilitation. Whilst education is recommended, there is no evidence to support this widely used intervention This study seeks to evaluate the multidisciplinary education component of a standard pulmonary education program.
Supervisors: Dr Kate Webster, Senior Lecturer, Latrobe University, Dr Catherine Hill, Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist
Liz Skinner. Senior Physiotherapist, Intensive Care
"The Exercise Rehabilitation in Critical Illness Survivor Evaluation (the EXERCISE trial)"
Quality of life of ICU survivors is poorer than for aged matched controls. This project seeks to determine if an inpatient and outpatient exercise program can improve the quality of life in this patient group.
Supervisors Dr. Linda Denehy, Senior Lecturer, Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Dr. Stephen Warrillow Consultant Intensivist, Sue Berney Grade 4 Physiotherapist, ICU.
Research higher degrees completed
PhD, University of Melbourne
Dr Catherine Hill, Senior Physiotherapist, Respiratory Medicine
"Measurement of Arm Function in Patients with COPD"
This project developed am upper limb outcome measure, the grocery shelving task (GST), and identified that it correlated well with the gold standard unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX). The GST was found to be simple, inexpensive, reproducible, valid and responsive and is easily used in a range of settings including the home. This work therefore makes assessment of a pulmonary rehabilitation program for COPD accessible to a wide range of health professional at minimal cost.
Supervisors, Dr. Linda Denehy, Senior Lecturer, Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Christine McDonald, Consultant Respiratory Physician.
Research projects
NHMRC Health Professional Training Fellowship
Dr Cathy Said, Grade 4 Physiotherapist , Aged Care
"Balance Control During Walking Following Stroke: Trips and Falls: Obstacle Crossing in People Who Fall."
Co-researchers, Prof Mary Galea, Dr Michael Dorevitch, Consultant Geriatrician, Dr Noel Lythgo, Biomechanist, Deputy Director, RSRC
NHMRC Project Grant
"Falls prevention for stroke patients following discharge home: A randomised trial intervention".
An NHMRC project grant of $540, 000 over 3 years was awarded to Associate Professor Keith Hill, National Ageing Research Institute, Shylie Mackintosh, University of South Australia, Dr Cathy Said, Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre/ Austin Health and Dr Craig Whitehead, Repatriation General Hospital, Adelaide, to run a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a falls prevention program for people returning home from hospital after stroke.
This study is a randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of a targeted falls prevention program in reducing falls for patient over the age of 50 who have a high risk of falling in the 6 months after return home. All participants will be assessed on a comprehensive balance, mobility, psychometric, and functional assessment at the commencement of the project, and then again 12 months later. The intervention group will receive a home exercise program, individualised management strategies based on a comprehensive falls risk assessment, supported falls prevention information, and injury minimisation recommendations, in addition to "usual care". The control group will receive "usual care" and a falls prevention information booklet. The main aim of the study is to reduce the frequency of falls and number of fallers in the 12 months after discharge home from hospital. The study will also investigate whether the interventions improve a number of secondary outcomes including balance, mobility, strength and fear of falling.
Physiotherapy Research Foundation Grant
Dr Catherine Hill, Senior Respiratory Physiotherapist
"Lifestyle Modification - The Role of Exercise and Diet in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea."
Co investigators: Dr Maree Barnes, Research Fellow, Dept of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Belinda Cary, Senior Physiotherapist.
Victorian Tuberculosis and Lung Association
"Multicentre RCT to evaluate the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in interstitial lung disease
Dr Catherine Hill, Associate Professor Christine McDonald, Dr Anne Holland, Research Physiotherapist, Alfred Hospital, Dr Matthew Conron, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Alfred Hospital.
Papers in press
Paratz J, Adsett J, Berney S, Brisdon J, Patman S (2006): The incidence of adverse physiological changes in intensive care during physiotherapy - a multi centre audit (in press)
Denehy L, Berney S (2006) Physiotherapy in the intensive care unit Physical therapy reviews 11(in press)
Susan Berney, Andrea Lee, Belinda Cary and Dr Linda Denehy (2006) Head-down tilt and manual hyperinflation enhance sputum clearance in patients who are intubated and ventilated. Respiratory Care (in press)
Susan Berney, Dr Linda Denehy, Belinda Cary (2006) Can early extubation and intensive physiotherapy decrease length of stay for acute quadriplegic patients in intensive care? Respiratory Care (in press)
Susan Berney, Elizabeth Skinner, Belinda Cary, Dr Linda Denehy (2006) A comparison of the effects of manual and ventilator hyperinflation on static lung compliance and sputum production in intubated and ventilated intensive care patients. Respiratory Care (in press)
Hancock, AD; Dorevitch, M; Nall, CM. A Functional Maintenance Program for the Hospitalised Elderly
Research Planned
VSCS
The spinal cord injuries physiotherapy team are doing some preliminary work on a project to look at the effectiveness of the education provided in the posture, pressure and seating clinic. Planning to apply to the Victorian Neurotrauma Fund for a grant to purchase pressure mapping equipment and provide staffing to run an RCT.
The working research question is "the impact of a specialised seating service on the ability of a individual with spinal cord injury to manage skin care"
Mel Gregory, Senior Physiotherapist, VSCS
Plastic Surgery
"Early mobilisation following spilt skin grafting - a randomised controlled trial."
Inpatient orthopaedic physiotherapy in conjunction with Plastic Surgery Unit and Aged Care
Investigators: Belinda Cary, Senior Inpatient Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, Mr Hamish Farrow Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Dr Mike Dorevitch, Consultant Geriatrician
Planned start date mid 2006
Chronic Fatigue
"The difference between resistance and aerobic training on physical and perceived outcomes in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome. A pilot study."
Investigators: Brett Gordon, P Physical Educator, Physiotherapy, Belinda Cary, Senior Inpatient Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, Dr Lionel Lubitz, Consultant Paediatrician
Planned start date April / May 2006
