Research
NeuroRehabilitation and Ageing
The NeuroRehabilitation and Ageing theme aims to advance knowledge about practice with neurological and ageing populations.
We focus on developing high quality evidence to support participation in the community and enable people to engage in independent living and productive activities. Our research groups are investigating topics such as community participation, cognitive rehabilitation, fatigue, vestibular function and balance, hearing, technology, and hypertonicity in people with health conditions such as acquired brain injury and stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease as well as in active ageing. The theme includes researchers from speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, audiology and human movement science in collaboration with clinical operations.
Impact
The impact of the NeuroRehabilitation and Ageing theme includes:
- The national and international impact of our group is recognised through research publications, service development, policy influence, research translation, clinical guidelines, workforce training and teaching.
- Collectively, our research promotes healthy, active and independent living for people with neurological conditions and in later life.
- Our research has demonstrated the value of rehabilitation approaches populations such as people with stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and healthy ageing.
- Outcomes from our research have directly translated into clinical practice through the University of Queensland’s Neurological Aging and Balance Clinic, as well as services in partner organisations such as Queensland Health.
- Our work is disseminated via workforce training programs for current and future health professionals, through the delivery of continuing professional education for clinicians and teaching into multiple programs at the University of Queensland.
Co-creating virtual environments with consumers to enhance self-awareness and preparedness for home after brain injury
Globally 27 million people are affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI), occurring mostly in young people. Changes to cognitive skills (such as memory or attention) are common after TBI, including self-awareness.
Improving access to the hearing services program for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
Australia is a culturally diverse country. Almost 30% of Australians were born overseas. More than 20% of Australians speak a language other than English at home. People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are more likely to experience hearing loss; but they are less likely to access hearing services.
Chair
Dr Hannah Gullo, Conjoint Research Fellow in Occupational Therapy
Deputy Chair
Dr Anna Hatton, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Academic
- Martin Sale, Associate Professor, Head of Physiotherapy
- David Copland, Professor in Speech Pathology
- Sandy Brauer, Professor, Head of School
- Nerina Scarinci, Professor in Speech Pathology
- Louise Hickson, Professor, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
- Piers Dawes, Professor in Audiology
- Jenny Fleming, Professor in Occupational Therapy
- Sally Bennett, Professor in Occupational Therapy
- Jodie Copley, Professor in Occupational Therapy
- Anthony Angwin, Associate Professor in Speech Pathology
- Natalie Collins, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy
- Sjaan Gomersall, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy
- Rebecca Packer, Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology
- Adriana Penman, Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology
- Anna Rumbach, Senior Lecturer in Speech Pathology
- Julia Treleaven, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
- Merrill Turpin, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
- Katrina Williams, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
- Melanie Hoyle, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
- Georgina Clutterbuck, Lecturer in Physiotherapy
- Alejandro Melendez-Calderon, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical / Rehabilitation Engineering
Research Staff
- Trevor Russell, Director of RECOVER Injury Research Centre and Professor in Physiotherapy
- Sarah Wallace, Associate Professor, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow
- Sarah Prescott, Research Fellow in Occupational Therapy
Conjoint research staff
- Jacki Liddle, Conjoint Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy
- Elaine Kearney, Conjoint Research Fellow in Speech Pathology
- Emmah Doig, Conjoint Senior Research Fellow in Occupational Therapy
Clinic staff
- Lauren Jeffery, Clinic Manager and Clinical Educator - Physiotherapy
HDR students
| Candidate | Degree | Supervision | Project Title/Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellie McCarthy | PhD, Speech pathology | Dr Emma Finch Dr Anna Miles | Oesophageal screening in videofluoroscopic swallow studies |
| Rebecca Tarrant | MPhil | Associate Professor Jacki Liddle, Dr Tammy Aplin, Alexia Rohde | Development of a Community Occupational Therapy Outcome Measure |
| Megan Trotman | PhD, Physiotherapy | Dr Anna Hatton, Associate Professor Kylie Tucker, Thomas Cattagni | Understanding the neurophysiological effects of vibrotexture shoe insoles to inform balance rehabilitation in adults with foot sensory loss. |
| Donna Rooney | PhD, Occupational therapy | Dr Tammy Aplin Professor Sally Bennett Dr Theresa Scott | Occupational Therapy in the Residential Aged Care Setting: The Occupational Therapists Role and Service Delivery in Australia |
| Sarah Davies | PhD, Occupational therapy | Dr Hannah Gullo Dr Emmah Doig | Exploring an occupation-based metacogntive strategy approach to improve occupational performance, executive functioning and self-efficacy of adults with Parkinson's Disease |
| Penni Burfein | PhD, Speech pathology | Dr Emmah Doig and Professor David Copland | Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia |
| Anna Humphreys | PhD | Professor David Copland, Dr Jade Dignam, Dr Kirstine Shrubsole, Dr Marie-Pier McSween | Implementation and Effectiveness of Comprehensive High-Dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT Partnership). |
| Giovanna Tornatore | Phd | Primary advisor: Associate advisor: | Rehabilitation intensity for patients with upper limb impairment - what is the impact on occupational performance? |
| Carla dos Reis | Phd | Primary advisor: Associate advisors: | Traumatic Brain Injury and the Return to Productive Activities: Barriers, Facilitators and Opportunities |
| Helen Wallace | Phd | Primary advisor: Associate Professor Sarah Wallace Associate advisors: Dr Hannah Gullo Prof David Copland | “What is the best way to help people with aphasia return to driving after stroke?” |
The effects of wearing textured versus smooth shoe insoles for 4-weeks in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomised controlled trial
NHMRC awards $43 million in four new grants
Our very own Dr Anna Hatton has been successful in obtaining a competitive NHMRC Ideas Grant on ‘Losing touch: Exploring the neurophysiological effects of bionic sensory insole technology for balance rehabilitation.’
Enquiries
For all enquiries related to research in the School, contact the Senior Administration Officer (Research): research.shrs@uq.edu.au
For all enquiries related to joining the Communication Research and Engagement Theme contact the chair Dr Hannah Gullo.
For all general current HDR student queries and enquiries related to applications contact the HDR Liaison Officer: hdr.shrs@enquire.uq.edu.au.
