Paediatric physiotherapy
This program focuses on generating and implementing new evidence to promote development, wellbeing and participation for both children with and/or high risk of developmental difficulties/disabilities and their families. This program has two streams: i. early detection of neurodevelopmental outcomes and ii. early intervention, rehabilitation and physical activity to optimise outcomes. Our multi-disciplinary research has a broad range of expertise spanning the newborn period to adolescents, including preterm birth and cerebral palsy. It is a priority of our research team to involve consumers in all stages of the research process, collaborating with children, parents, clinicians, service providers and professional bodies. The research program includes studies conducted with both quantitative and qualitative methods, covering digital health, co-design and knowledge translation. The studies are commonly conducted with several of our partner hospitals in Melbourne Australia, including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Women’s Hospital and Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service.
Researchers
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Professor Alicia Spittle
Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences | Her research interest include infant and child development, early intervention, parent well-being, consumer engagement and implementation science
Email: aspittle@unimelb.edu.au
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Professor Jennifer McGinley
Head, Department of Physiotherapy | Research areas include movement and function across the lifespan in healthy people and those with neurological conditions including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder
Email: mcginley@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Rachel Toovey
Lecturer | Research areas including paediatrics, disability and inclusive participation in physical activity
Email: r.toovey@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Tara Fitzgerald
Lecturer | Research interests include physical activity participation in early childhood, and long-term outcomes for infants born preterm
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Dr Abbey Eeles
Research Fellow | Research areas include the impact of developmental therapy and early intervention on brain development and rehabilitation in the newborn period and beyond, and the role parents play in delivering this intervention
Email: abbey.eeles@unimelb.edu.au
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Rachel Kennedy
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Dr Tandy Hastings-Ison
Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Email: tandyh@unimelb.edu.au
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Dr Amanda Kwong
Research Fellow | Research areas include early detection assessment and implementation of movement problems in high risk infants
Email: amanda.kwong@unimelb.edu.au
Graduate Researchers
Reem Albesher
Kate Cameron
John Carey
Free Coulston
Katy de Valle
Francyne Finlayson
Kate Rawnsley