Recovery and Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan

Cancer in Medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and mental and behavioural disorders are the leading causes of premature death and disability in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2014a).

Our programs of research focus on these prioritised action areas for the Australian population, and include development and evaluation of interventions for individuals recovering from trauma, major surgery, critical illness and mental health impairments; conservative management strategies for individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction and sports injuries and for those with hearing impairments receiving cochlear implants and with speech and language disorders.

Groups / Projects Research Lead Dept / Centre
A clinical test of dark adaptation for age-related macular degeneration Project Leader Dr Michael Pianta Optometry and Vision Sciences
Bilateral and Binaural Hearing Dr Karyn Galvin
Audiology and Speech Pathology
Cancer Nursing Research Chair in Cancer Nursing; VCCC Research and Education Lead – Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy
Nursing
Centre of Research Excellence – Newborn Medicine Project Leader Dr Alicia Spittle Physiotherapy
Children Dr Alicia Spittle
Physiotherapy
Cochlear implantation for children with single-sided deafness or very asymmetrical hearing loss Dr Karyn Galvin Audiology and Speech Pathology
Collaboration for Improving Children’s Lives in the 21st Century: Rights focused, evidence based, impact driven Project Leader Associate Professer Louise Harms Social Work
Communication skills: Consumer led training modules for cancer health care workers Project Leader Professor Meinir Krishnasamy Nursing
Creating a telerehabilitation plan with stroke survivors and caregivers Physiotherapy
Defining nurse practitioner sensitive outcomes in a context of multidisciplinary care Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
Developing consensus on physical activity measurement following stroke Project Leader Dr Natalie Fini
Physiotherapy
Development of a tailored supportive care intervention for women living with advanced breast cancer Project Leader Professor Meinir Krishnasamy Nursing
Development of an online education resource to improve nursing care of older people with cancer Project Leader Professor Meinir Krishnasamy Nursing
Early detection and intervention for infants at high risk of motor impairments Project Leader Dr Alicia Spittle Physiotherapy
Improving mobility after traumatic brain injury with ballistic strength training Prof Gavin Williams
Physiotherapy
Innovation in radiation skin Toxicity management for patients with curative head and neck cancer: The INTACT Study Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
Living an active life with Parkinson’s disease Project Leader Associate Professor Jennifer McGinley Physiotherapy
Missed nursing care. An exploration of missed nursing are in cancer contexts Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
Motor trajectories of children born <30 weeks’ gestation from birth to 5 years: early predictors and functional outcome Project Leader Dr Alicia Spittle Physiotherapy
Multidisciplinary care for women with metastatic breast cancer Project Leader Professor Meinir Krishnasamy Nursing
PanSupport - development of an experience based co-design, supportive care app with and for people affected by pancreatic cancer Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamay Nursing
Practice and service improvement
Promoting health, wellbeing and health services efficiency through a tailored navigation program for older adults with cancer (PARTNER) Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
Safe resumption of high-level mobility and cardiovascular fitness following traumatic brain injury Ms Sara Aldous
Prof Gavin Williams
Physiotherapy
Saving Sight Through Novel BioTech Innovations for Inherited Retinal Disease Optometry and Vision Sciences
The ATTUNE Study: Feasibility of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Lung Cancer Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
The development of a nurse-sensitive, cancer care complexity index Project Leader Professor Meinir Krishnasamy Nursing
The EXPERT Study. Defining characteristics of cancer nursing expertise Chair of Cancer Nursing Professor Mei Krishnasamy Nursing
The feasibility of smart-phones in the early detection of cerebral palsy Project Leader Dr Alicia Spittle Physiotherapy
The Impact of Low Vision Assistive Technology on Mobility in People with Vision Impairment Optometry and Vision Sciences
The National Centre for Infections in Cancer Nursing
Vision Optimisation Unit Laboratory Director Dr Lauren Ayton
Optometry and Vision Sciences
Web-based preventive care intervention for preterm infants and their families – e-prem trial Project Leader Dr Alicia Spittle Physiotherapy

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