Research
Welcome to the School of Physiotherapy's Research Home Page.
Our School has a well-earned international reputation of high quality and high impact research. Our staff and research students contribute to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge through scholarly publications, keynote and other presentations at national and international conferences, invited workshops and newspaper, magazine, radio and TV articles.
Theme
Most of the research in School is focussed on improved health outcomes for all in our community through a better understanding and use of movement. Movement, a broad term encompassing physical activity, exercise and mobility, is fundamental to human health at all ages.
Movement is important early in life for normal physical, cognitive and social development; during adulthood to maintain physical capacity; and in the latter years to maximise quality of life and independence. Our increasingly sedentary lifestyle means that many otherwise healthy individuals are succumbing to diseases associated with inactivity or reduced activity - such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and back pain. The disability stemming from such conditions leads invariably to further impairment of movement and so the cycle continues. Research in the School focuses on ways of mitigating this negative impact, exploiting the beneficial effects of movement and enhancing movement and health outcomes.
Main areas
The key areas of research currently being investigated by members of the School are:
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Manual Therapy
- Bone and Joint Health
- Sports Injuries
- Ergonomics
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Physical Activity
- Neuroscience and Trauma
Scope of research
Research by the School covers people with a broad range of ages and health needs. Projects investigate issues across the whole lifespan, from infants and children, through youth and adults to the elderly and also address the needs of many different groups in the community. Several projects investigate prevention of health problems in the well general community. Other projects focus on rehabilitation for groups with special needs such as following an acute injury or accident or those with a chronic musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and neurological disorder. Research also focuses on understanding the adverse impact of a range of disorders on movement and function and developing new movement based approaches to mitigating those adverse effects. [link to project list]
Research by this cluster covers a broad range of research approaches appropriate to the diverse research questions investigated. Cluster research ranges from basic understanding through to practical application, encompassing enabling research, clinical research, service delivery research and population based research. Cluster research is conducted in laboratory, clinical and community settings and includes computer modelling, animal models, human experimental, epidemiological, randomised and controlled trials and qualitative designs. Sample sizes range from single case studies through to thousands in epidemiological studies. Study timeframes range from cross sectional designs to longitudinal studies looking at the effect of perinatal health on adolescent outcomes. Despite this diversity, there is a clear emphasis on understanding movement and movement dysfunction and employing movement based interventions, exercise and physical activity to improve health outcomes.
The School has excellent facilities to support leading edge research including: 8 camera/2 force platform motion analysis laboratory, two Fastrack motion analysis systems, four 8 channel EMG systems, laboratory and portable gas analysis systems, DEXA, real time ultrasound and computer modelling. We have 5 dedicated research laboratories in the new main School building and other clinic based research facilities. The School also has excellent human resource support with dedicated research support staff and post doctorate researchers. Support for the research endeavours also comes from the significant research grant funding from nationally competitive agencies such as the NH&MRC, National Heart Foundation and Arthritis Australia and from state based agencies such as the Asthma Foundation (WA), Lotteries West and WA Arthritis and Osteoporosis Research Foundation. The School has a mix of highly successful, international recognised researchers and early career researchers. The School staff and research students have strong links within the university sector nationally and internationally and with clinic and industry partners.
The School has a strong tradition of supporting higher degree by research students. Our first Master's degree was awarded in 1981, with 40 Master's graduates to date. The first PhD in Physiotherapy was awarded in 1992 and we have since graduated 30 Doctors of Philosophy.
We have a vibrant research community which enjoys the discovery and dissemination of knowledge related to physiotherapy. If you are interested in studying for a higher degree, working in research at the School, or collaborating with researchers at the School, we welcome your contact.
Associate Professor Leon Straker
Director of Research and Higher Degrees by Research.