Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Health Research
Physiotherapy is a health-care discipline which is involved in the care of individuals at all stages of the lifespan, both in health and in times of illness or injury with the aim of optimising movement, functional ability and health. The discipline takes a holistic approach which encompasses physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing in a range of diverse practice settings. These include: adult and paediatric hospitals; primary and community care teams; rehabilitation centres; nursing and residential homes; hospices; occupational health settings; schools; health promotion programmes; sport clubs, centres and teams; and private practice.
The World Congress of Physical Therapy, the international representative body for Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy identifies four core areas for practice:
- Promotion
- Prevention
- Treatment/Intervention
- Rehabilitation
These are reflected in the research activities of the Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Health hub of the School where we have an interdisciplinary team of researchers spanning Physiotherapy, Psychology, Bio-Engineering and Exercise Science. Enhancing function, performance, wellbeing and health are at the core of the research activities be it in the hospital, clinic, community care, workplace or sports field.
Staff expertise and interests
Dean of Physiotherapy
Research interests
Low back pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
Exercise and physical activity measurement, adherence and promotion.
Walking programmes – protocols, interventions and adherence.
Sleep disturbance – measurement techniques and effectiveness of physiotherapy.
Effectiveness of electrophysical agents and acupuncture.
Quantitative Research Methods.
Health services research in Ireland ’s public and private health systems.
Health care practitioners attitudes and beliefs.
Research Interests
Sports injury epidemiology and surveillance.
Physical activity participation, physical function and rehabilitation in ageing and chronic disease: Hep C, Hemophilia, ESRD, CF, Stroke, TIA, Chronic Pain and Osteoporosis.
Secondary prevention Stroke and TIA.
Physical activity measurement and promotion for health.
Occupational Health and injury
Quantitative methods.
Psychometrics and evaluation of patient reported outcomes including QoL and self reported functioning.
Research Interests: These cover a wide range of areas based around assessment and enhancement of human performance in three main strands.
Development and evaluation of wearable motion sensor applications for sport and health. Projects include:
a.Developed a novel plastic optical fiber sensor for measurement and control of spinal posture in the workplace.
b.Use of inertial sensors to develop therapeutic exergaming applications for rehabilitation and enhancement of function
c.Design and field testing of custom measurement and feedback solutions for sports performance enhancement.
Applications include EMS solutions for:
a.Stress urinary incontinence
b.Obesity & diabetes
c.Chronic low back pain
d.Heart failure
e.COPD
f.Spinal cord injury
Design and validation of novel electrical muscle stimulation technologies.
Performance enhancement in sport
Identification of causes of and optimal intervention strategies for recurrent musculoskeletal injuries such as patellofemoral pain and ankle instability. In this work we have identified the motor control deficit that is associated with dysfunctional control of ankle stability during dynamic loading activities and have evaluated the impact of various intervention strategies on this control.
Research Interests
Occupational health and injury --specifically Musculoskeletal Disorders/LBP. Populations studied: Farmers/Healthcare Workers.
Workplace health promotion.
Guideline implementation.
Osteoporosis.
Research Interests
Evaluation of physical therapy intervention for individuals with rheumatological conditions by means of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Evaluation of physical therapy intervention for individuals with neurological conditions by means of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Evaluation of physical activity and exercise for individuals with chronic diseases.
Evaluation of physiotherapy education in relation to physical activity and exercise prescription.
Curriculum Development.
Research Interests
Lower limb biomechanics (kinematics, kinetics and postural stability analysis).
Pathomechanics and sensorimotor control in chronic ankle instability.
Post-traumatic ankle joint osteoarthritis.
Pathomechanics of athletic groin pain.
Rugby fitness, strength & conditioning.
Research Interests
Pain mechanisms classification using clinical testing and quantitative sensory testing.
Clinical reasoning in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Low back pain.
Physical activity curriculum in Physiotherapy.
Research Interests
Human biomechanical analysis.
Prosthetic sockets for amputee.
Research Interests
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation of chronic pain from biopsychosocial perspective.
Quality of life measures in chronic pain population (function, sleep, anxiety, depression).
Research Interests
Determination of antecedents of motivated behaviour for participation in sport and exercise (e.g., motivational climate and basic psychological needs fulfillment).
Testing of interventions designed to teach sport and exercise leaders (e.g., PE teachers, coaches, physiotherapists) motivational strategies to enhance participants' outcomes (e.g., physical activity levels, psychological flow, athlete burnout).
Exploration of the positive role that sport can play in adolescents' psychosocial development.
Research interests
Kinematics of human & equine movement.
Study and analyses of muscle activity (EMG).
Osteoporosis and effects of exercise.
The effect of tape application on human function and pain.
Research interests
Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging.
Shoulder biomechanics and dysfunction.
Childhood disability in developing countries.