Our research

Some current and recent research projects that involve collaboration between members of the Centre for Physical Health are:

1. Physical activity in community dwelling adults following acquired brain injury

CPH Members: Dean, Hush, Dear, Titov, (Taryn Jones HDR student)

The aim of this project is to conduct an online survey of people living in the community with an acquired brain injury (from a stroke or traumatic brain injury), to identify their levels of physical activity, barriers to engage in physical activity as well as find out the level of interest in an online self-management program

2. The efficacy of self-management programs for increasing physical activity in community-dwelling adults with acquired brain injury (ABI): A systematic review.

CPH Members: Dean, Hush, Dear, Titov (Taryn Jones HDR student)

The aim of this project is to systematically review the available literature on the efficacy of various types of self-management programs that aim to improve physical activity in people who have an acquired brain injury and are living in the community.

3. Development and evaluation of MyMoves for Acquired Brain Injury.

CPH Members: Dean, Hush, Dear, Titov (Taryn Jones HDR student)

In this project we are developing and evaluating an Internet-delivered self-management program (MyMoves) for people living in the community after an acquired brain injury.

4. Longitudinal Imaging of Lumbar Patients and Controls (LILAC)

CPH Members: Hancock, Hush, Magnussen

This project is investigating the relationship between MRI findings and symptoms, both measured repeatedly over time, in people with acute disabling low back pain. It is the first study to image people at multiple time points during the acute phase of low back pain and correlate these findings with symptoms.

5. SKIP trial

CPH Members: Hancock, Magnussen

This project investigated whether MRI findings and other clinical characteristics were predictive of a recurrence of low back pain in people who had recently recovered from an acute episode of low back pain.

6. A multisystem understanding of mechanisms and recovery from low back pain

CPH Members: Hush, Hancock, Magnussen

In this project we aim to conduct a longitudinal inception cohort study of people with acute low back pain to track neurological, psychological and physical changes over time. This will enable us to better understand mechanisms and predictors of recovery from low back pain.

7. Patient beliefs about imaging and low back pain

CPH Members: Hancock, Magnussen

It is possible over utilisation of imaging in managing low back pain is partly due to patients beliefs about the need for imaging. This project will survey over 300 patients presenting to GPs to help better understand patients' beliefs about imaging and low back pain.