Research

Our mission is to generate and implement high quality world leading research to enhance the health and wellbeing of our community
Physiotherapy - MSHS Research Hubs infographic

Department of Physiotherapy - Research

Research led by the department of physiotherapy has a strong focus on implementation and health services research across the lifespan, including the use of digital health to develop innovative models of care delivery and improve access to health care. Our research teams include internationally renowned researchers with outstanding competitive research grant success and top tier journal publications across the Melbourne School of Health Sciences research hubs.

Our researchers in the Healthy Start to Life hub partner closely with leading health services, institutes and health professionals to foster development, wellbeing and participation for children with, or at risk of, developmental challenges and their families. Researchers in the Disability and Inclusion hub work collaboratively with clinical partners and use health services research to improve the wellbeing of a individuals with a range of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory disorders across the lifespan . Our researchers in Optimising Health and Wellbeing hub focus on supporting those with chronic conditions, critical illness, cancer, pelvic floor disorders and following major surgery through knowledge translation, implementation science and health service research, including increasing access to care through telerehabilitation and digital health.

Graduate Research

Explore our program of research

  • Acute cardiorespiratory and exercise oncology

    This program of work focuses on generating and implementing new evidence regarding the role of physiotherapy, exercise, physical activity and rehabilitation to minimise disease burden and maximise patient outcomes in the areas of acute cardiorespiratory and cancer. The program has a strong focus on survivors of critical illness, as well as patients with cancer and those undergoing major surgery. The research program is based on the premise that targeted exercise training or rehabilitation is not commonly part of usual care or well understood for these patients, despite strong potential need and benefit. The research program includes studies conducted with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and involves staff and research higher degree students. The studies are commonly conducted with several of our partner hospitals in Melbourne Australia, and with our strong international collaborators.

    Researchers

    Profile picture of David Berlowitz

    Prof David Berlowitz

    Chair in Physiotherapy at Austin Health | Research areas include sleep and breathing disorders in neuromuscular disease, health systems and data research, clinical trials of therapies and care models
    djberl@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Catherine Granger

    A/Prof Catherine Granger

    Associate Professor and Dame Kate Campbell Fellow | Research areas include exercise and physical activity for patients with lung cancer, other cancers, critical illness and respiratory diseases
    catherine.granger@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Helena Frawley

    A/Prof Helena Frawley

    Associate Professor | Research expertise in expertise in women’s health, specifically disorders related to the pelvic floor
    h.frawley@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Selina Parry

    Dr Selina Parry

    Associate Professor in Physiotherapy
    selina.parry@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Lara Edbrooke

    Dr Lara Edbrooke

    Lecturer | Research areas include health services research, multi-disciplinary models of allied health care for people with cancer, measurement of physical activity
    larae@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Jennifer Jones

    Dr Jennifer Jones

    Clinical Research Fellow | Research areas include critical care recovery and rehabilitation, frailty and digital health
    jennifer.jones@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Shaza Abo

    Ms Shaza Abo

    Clinical Research Fellow (Acute Cardiorespiratory) | Researching physical activity and exercise in cancer and critical illness; interested in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, co-design and sustainability
    shaza.abo@unimelb.edu.au

    Graduate Researchers

    Georgina Whish-Wilson

    Jess Crowe

    Dominic Truong

    Cassie McDonald

    Shaza Abo

    Jane Lockstone

    Aruska D’Souza

    Alisha da Silva

  • 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

    Profile picture of Alicia Spittle

    Prof 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
    aspittle@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Jennifer McGinley

    Prof 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
    mcginley@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Rachel Toovey

    Dr Rachel Toovey

    Lecturer | Research areas including paediatrics, disability and inclusive participation in physical activity
    r.toovey@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Tara Fitzgerald

    Dr Tara Fitzgerald

    Lecturer | Research interests include physical activity participation in early childhood, and long-term outcomes for infants born preterm
    tara.fitzgerald@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Abbey Eeles

    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
    abbey.eeles@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Tandy Hastings-Ison

    Dr Tandy Hastings-Ison

    Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
    tandyh@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Amanda Kwong

    Dr Amanda Kwong

    Research Fellow | Research areas include early detection assessment and implementation of movement problems in high risk infants
    amanda.kwong@unimelb.edu.au

    Graduate Researchers

    Reem Albesher

    Kate Cameron

    John Carey

    Free Coulston

    Katy de Valle

    Francyne Finlayson

    Kate Rawnsley

  • Neurological rehabilitation & gerontology

    Neurological disorders are a common cause of reduced capacity for everyday independence. Neurological rehabilitation focuses on improving a person's ability to care for themselves and optimise their outcome from a neurological event or condition. The research programs in the physiotherapy department target a range of conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and motor neurone disease. These conditions represent major causes of disability in younger and older adults. We work collaboratively with our clinical partners, consumers, and other professions to investigate physical impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions that result from neurological disorders.

    There are three main research areas:

    1. Identification of physical impairments and activity limitations associated with neurological disorders. This can include reduced balance, poor upper limb use and muscle weakness, which can all play a major role in limiting independence.
    2. Implementation of research findings into clinical practice.
    3. Evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve function, health and wellbeing (spanning impairment, activity and participation) or reduce secondary risk for people with a neurological condition.

    Researchers

    Profile picture of Jennifer McGinley

    Prof 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
    mcginley@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Gavin Williams

    Prof Gavin Williams

    Professor of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation | Research areas include neurological gait disorders, running, task-specific strength training and focal spasticity management
    gavinw@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of David Berlowitz

    Prof David Berlowitz

    Chair in Physiotherapy at Austin Health | Research areas include sleep and breathing disorders in neuromuscular disease, health systems and data research, clinical trials of therapies and care models
    djberl@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Cathy Said

    A/Prof Cathy Said

    A/Professor Physiotherapy Western Health | Research interests include rehabilitation and fall prevention in older people and people with neurological disorders
    csaid@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Kate Hayward

    Dr Kate Hayward

    Senior Research Fellow | Research areas include the brain-behaviour nexus during rehabilitation after stroke
    kate.hayward@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Natalie Fini

    Dr Natalie Fini

    Senior Lecturer, Post-Doctoral Researcher | Research areas include physical activity after neurological injury, stroke recovery and rehabilitation
    natalie.fini@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Kelly Bower

    Dr Kelly Bower

    Lecturer | Research areas include stroke rehabilitation, balance training, falls prevention, motion-tracking technologies and telehealth
    bower@unimelb.edu.au
    Profile picture of Libby Proud

    Dr Libby Proud

    Lecturer, Researcher
    elizabeth.proud@unimelb.edu.au

    Honorary staff

    A/Prof Frances Batchelor

    Dr Liam Johnson

    Dr Karen Borschmann

    Dr Marlena Klaic

    Dr Bridget Hill

    Sue Williams

    Graduate Researchers

    Matt Wingfield

    Sara Isaak

    Emily Dalton

    Shae Cooke

    Claire Formby

    Josh Farragher

    Natasha Machado

    Sara Aldous

    Edwina Sutherland

    Aruska D’Souza

    Fiona Pazsa

  • Musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation - Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM)

    The primary focus of research at CHESM is on the role of conservative strategies, particularly exercise, in promoting overall health and wellbeing, and in promoting and managing public health problems facing society. CHESM is committed to improving the wellbeing of all people through their musculoskeletal research initiatives which take a lifespan approach from childhood through to the elderly years. Emphasis is placed on translating our research findings into practice.  CHESM team members come from a range of disciplines including physiotherapy, medicine, science, exercise science and podiatry.

    Learn more about CHESM

  • Women's health

    Our women’s health physiotherapy program focuses on pelvic floor function and dysfunction in women with  range of pelvic floor disorders. We are currently exploring:

    • Pelvic pain:
      • Women with endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain. We are exploring pelvic floor muscle properties, specifically muscle tenderness and muscle tone, as well as symptoms of bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction and psychosocial distress, in women pre- and post-laparoscopy for pelvic pain.
      • Women with provoked vestibulodynia, and ultrasound elastography to explore pelvic floor muscle stiffness.
    • Pelvic floor disorders, including bladder and bowel incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, in women who:
      • Engage in regular exercise, including elite female athletes
      • Are diagnosed with and have undergone treatment for gynaecological cancer
      • Have undergone treatment for breast cancer
    • The feasibility, clinical and cost effectiveness effectiveness of telehealth-delivered pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary incontinence in women following treatment for gyneacological or breast cancer.

    Researchers

    Profile picture of Helena Frawley

    A/Prof Helena Frawley

    Associate Professor | Research expertise in expertise in women’s health, specifically disorders related to the pelvic floor
    h.frawley@unimelb.edu.au

    Graduate Researchers

    Jodie Dakic

    Robyn Brennen

    Udari Colombage

    Rachel Nelligan