Research expertise

This page has details of research expertise for the National Physiotherapy Research Network. The information is organized by region as follows:

Cumbria and Lancashire

  • Facilitator: Professor James Selfe, Professor of Physiotherapy, Department of Allied Health Professions, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
    Musculoskeletal dysfunction, in particular patellofemoral pain syndrome.
  • Professor Jim Richards, Professor of Biomechanics, University of Central Lancashire Clinical biomechanics
    The development of new assessment tools for chronic disease; the development of evidence-based approaches for improving clinical management and rehabilitation. Also: conservative and surgical management in orthopaedics; improvement in quality of life and rehabilitation in long term conditions; encouraging inter-professional research and developing direct parallels with research to the 'real world' of allied health work.
  • Dr Mark Stigant, Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Public Health, St Martin's College, Carlisle
    Instrumentation design, ergonomics, biomechanics, back pain. Particularly interested in working across different fields, eg, physiotherapy and engineering or physiotherapy and computer sciences.

Dublin

  • Facilitator: Dr Emma Stokes, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Dublin
    Rehabilitation of older people; the use of robotic technology in the delivery of exercises; support for decision making in the rehabilitation of neurological disability; novel methods of exercise for people with stroke.

East Anglia

  • Co-facilitator: Dr Barbara Richardson, Reader, Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Professions, University of East Anglia
    Development of professional knowledge; professional socialisation and the development of professionalism and professional identity in health care; inter-professional team working in primary care and long term management of chronic disease; qualitative research to explore educational practices and client-centred health care.

Edinburgh

Those members who are also members of the West of Scotland hub are indicated with an asterisk.
  • Facilitator: Gillian Baer, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Neurology and stroke; motor learning and practice; treadmill training; community rehabilitation for stroke.
  • Cathy Bulley, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Management of long term conditions; uses of exercise; patient experiences; measurement of physical activity and limb volume; COPD; lymphoedema; chronic stroke.
  • Helen Frost, Research Fellow, Department of Public Health University of Warwick, Coventry
    Musculoskeletal research particularly back pain; exercise, rehabilitation and education.
  • Jane Hislop, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Physical activity of young children; measurement of physical activity; obesity; public health.
  • Stella Howden, Lecturer Physiotherapy, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Qualitative research in healthcare; chronic illness experience from the perspective of the 'insider'; inter-professional education: delivery and outcomes.
  • Wendy Johnson*, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Edinburgh Community Physiotherapy Service, NHS Lothian
    Musculoskeletal out-patients physiotherapy, evaluation active currently.
  • Judith Lane, Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Orthopaedics; knee arthroplasty; biomechanics; function.
  • Rosalind Johnstone, Senior Physiotherapist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
    Mental health; cognitive behavioural therapy, psychological distress.
  • Jonathan T McCrea, Physiotherapist, Department of Physiotherapy, St. John's Hospital, Livingston / Advanced Health Research Analyst, Academic Section of Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
    Evidence based practice; rehabilitation; orthopaedics; rheumatology; older people; neurology; medical specialties; domiciliary / community rehabilitation; nursing homes.
  • Dr Lisa Salisbury*, Research Fellow, Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research, School of Health in Social Sciences, Edinburgh University
    Rehabilitation after a prolonged intensive care stay; stroke rehabilitation including treadmill training and FES.
  • Mick Skelley, Clinical Physiotherapist Specialist in Mental Health, Rosslynlee Hospital, Roslin, Midlothian
    Stress; mental health; pain.
  • Mark Smith, Consultant Physiotherapist, Leith Community Treatment Centre, Edinburgh
    Post-stroke pain and thermal sensory perception; hemiplegic shoulder pain; treadmill training; post stroke fitness training; patient pathways from hospital into community settings.
  • Dr Frederike van Wijck, Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
    Neurological rehabilitation; perceptuo-motor control and learning (especially mental practice); upper limb function; spasticity; outcome measurement.
  • Amanda Wong, Superintendent Physiotherapist, Queen Margaret Hospital, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline
    Neurology; stroke rehabilitation; aerobic fitness for stroke patients.
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Hertfordshire

  • Facilitator: Dr Mindy Cairns, School of Health and Emergency Professions
    Management of low back pain; spinal stability training; outcome measures in neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy; evidence based practice.
  • Dr Karen Beeton, School of Health and Emergency Professions
    Qualitative research including evaluation of quality of life; patient perspectives; haemophilia.
  • Professor Tim Watson, School of Health and Emergency Professions
    Physiological measures; electrotherapeutic modalities; tissue healing in manual therapy.

Keele

  • Facilitator: Dr Maggie Bailey, School of Health and Rehabilitation, Keele University
    Neurological rehabilitation, particularly stroke, with a focus on clinical assessment and rehabilitation for hemineglect/heminattention in patients with stroke; single-subject/n=1 designs.
  • Dr Nadine Foster, Senior Lecturer and DoH Career Scientist in the Primary Care and Health Sciences Research Institute at Keele University
    Clinical trials in the field of back pain and knee pain; primary care; patient and practitioner perceptions and beliefs about pain; process of care for patients with musculoskeletal pain; evidence-based practice for musculoskeletal pain in primary care.
  • Dr Krysia Dziedzic, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Primary Care, Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Primary Care Sciences Research Institute, Keele University.
    Clinical trials and clinical epidemiology of hand pain; clinical guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis; implementation of research findings.
  • Dr Anand D Pandyan, Lecturer, School of Health & Rehabilitation, Keele University
    FES; spasticity; motor control; measurement and modelling in neurological rehabilitation (upper limbs)
  • Dr Sue Hunter, Lecturer, School of Health & Rehabilitation, Keele University
    Stroke rehabilitation, with emphasis on dosage and facilitation of upper limb recovery.

Leeds

  • Facilitator: Dr Charikleia Sinani, Senior Lecturer, and International Liaison Officer, School of Allied Health Professions, Leeds Metropolitan University
    Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD); dyspraxia; cerebral palsy; neurodevelopmental disorders; learning difficulties; perception and action; imitation; stroke and apraxia; motor coordination; upper and lower limb
  • Dr David Punt, Reader in Neurorehabilitation, Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University
    Motor control and motor learning relating to posture, balance, gait and the upper limb; cognitive deficits following brain injury (particularly deficits of attention such as unilateral neglect).

Limerick

  • Facilitator: Dr Susan Coote, Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Technology in stroke rehabilitation, including robotics and electrotherapy; teaching reflective practice; exercise in multiple sclerosis.
  • Dr Ann Taylor, Head of Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Cardiac rehabilitation; chronic heart failure.
  • Dr Noralee Kennedy, Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Rheumatology, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and rehabilitation; health economics - effectiveness of rheumatology interventions; foot orthotics.
  • Amanda Connell, Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Motor skill and function: its effect on other areas of development in primary school children.
  • Kieran O'Sullivan, Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Sitting posture; low back pain, back pain classification; gluteal dissection and rehabilitation.
  • Dr Amanda Clifford, Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, University of Limerick
    Acute and long-term effects of a lower-limb injury; postural control and biomechanical analysis of movement; muscle strength and activation.

London

  • Co-facilitators: Dr Caroline Alexander, Research Physiotherapist and Clinical Specialist, Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust. Associated with University College London and Imperial College
    Sensorimotor control especially of the shoulder and shoulder girdle in health and dysfunction.
  • Dr Iain Beith, Academic Department of Physiotherapy, Kings College London
    Stretch reflexes in the abdominal muscles; abdominal muscle fatigue and lower back pain.
  • Dr Alison McGregor, Reader in Biodynamics, Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College London
    Spinal motion analysis; elite sport; muscle function; post-operative management of lower back pain; clinical trials; corticospinal control of movement.
  • Dr Jennifer Pryor, Senior Research Fellow in Physiotherapy, Royal Brompton Hospital, London
    Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.
  • Peter Malliaras, Clinical Specilaist, Ealing PCT
    Sports physiotherapy, especially tendon pain, pathology and aetiology; management of tendon injury

North East England

  • Keith Rome, Professor Podiatric Rehabilitation, Lead Centre for Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Teesside
    Evaluating the impact of foot orthoses and footwear on balance parameters in the older adult; podiatry and falls prevention; biomechanical risk factors associated with balance and rheumatoid arthritis; diagnosis of plantar heel pain; the role of foot orthoses in lower limb musculoskeletal conditions.
  • John Dixon, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside
    Muscle function and electromyography in knee osteoarthritis and anterior knee pain; the effects of factors such as age, gender, and footwear on muscle activity and postural stability; the repeatability of quadriceps and hamstrings electromyographic recordings.
  • Factilitator: Dr Denis Martin, Reader in Rehabilitation, School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside
    Assessment of pain and the effects of pain; management of pain; disability and rehabilitation; statistics.
  • Liz Holey, Deputy Dean, School of Health and Social Care, University of Teesside
    Connective tissue manipulation; reflex effects of manual therapy; experience of service users and carers; use of mixed methodologies; use of sonification in rehabilitation; massage; sympathetically maintained pain; enterprise; user involvement in research.

North of Scotland

  • Facilitator: Dr Sue Barnard
  • Mrs Lyndsay Alexander, Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, The Robert Gordon University
    Back pain, especially disc behaviour; physical activity within back pain and shoulder pain.

Northern Ireland

  • Facilitator: Dr Sheila Lennon, Senior Lecturer (Physiotherapy), Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster
    Issues in outcome measurement; neurological treatment approaches, especially the Bobath Concept; exercise therapy in people with neurological dysfunction, especially for stroke rehabilitation and multiple sclerosis.

Southampton

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South West

  • Co-facilitator: Dr Fiona Cramp, Principal Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health & Social Care, University of the West of England
    Hypoalgesic and neurophysiological effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Interferential Therapy; rehabilitation of people with multiple sclerosis; cancer related fatigue.
  • Co-facilitator: Dr Shea Palmer, Principal Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health & Social Care University of the West of England, Bristol
    Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) in neurological and painful conditions; electroanalgesia; assessment and management of clinical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome; hypermobility syndrome; knee osteoarthritis; low back pain and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
  • Vicki Goodwin, Research Fellow, Peninsula Medical School (Primary Care)
    Falls, Parkinson's disease, exercise and rehabilitation with the older person.
  • Liz Tough, Research Fellow, (PhD studentship in Acupuncture), Peninsula Medical School
    Myofascial trigger point pain, and 'placebo' controlled acupuncture trials.
  • Professor Jon Marsden, School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
    Pathophysiology and rehabilitation of balance and gait in people with central and peripheral nervous system lesions.
  • Dr Jenny Freeman, Reader, School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
    Clinical trials in rehabilitation, with special interest in multiple sclerosis and issues relating to goal setting; evaluation of outcome measures and use of databases for the collection of routine clinical information for clinical and research purposes.
  • Dr Alan Hough, Lecturer, School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
    Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging, quantifying peripheral nerve excursion and spinal motion and stability.
  • Dr Veronica Maynard, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
    Movement analysis (CODAmpx30 motion analysis system), biomechanics of gait (normal and pathological), neurophysiological and clinical assessment of spasticity/hypertonia, and muscle stretch and spasticity.
  • Dr Gary Schum, Lecturer, School of Health Profession, University of Plymouth
    Biomechanics of the spine, rhw effect of low back pain on the three-dimensionsl kinematics and kinetics of the spine and hip and the effect of different pathologies on the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.

Wales

  • Co-facilitator: Dr Valerie Sparkes, Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Care Studies, University of Cardiff
    Differential diagnosis of thoracic pain, muscle stability and management of back pain.
  • Dr Stephanie Enright - Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University
    Respiratory medicine, especially acute and chronic (COPD and Cystic fibrosis) Exercise physiology, especially respiratory muscles.
  • Dr Monica Busse - Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare Studies, Cardiff University
    Assessment and management of mobility and falls in progressive neurological conditions together with associated movement compensation, coping mechansims and relvant outcome measures. Research methods including research design and data analysis.

West of Scotland

Those members who are also members of the Edinburgh hub are indicated with an asterisk.
  • Facilitator: Dr Lorna Paul, Reader in Nursing and Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow.
    Neurological rehabilitation; analysis of human movement.
  • Facilitator: Mrs Margaret Grant, Head of Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Monitoring free-living physical activity; activity in older adults
  • Professor Brian Durward, Dean of the School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Neurological rehabilitation and functional human movement.
  • Dr Andy Kerr, Lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Movement analysis; biomechanics; falls in the elderly
  • Dr Morag Thow, Lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Cardiac rehabilitation; exercise therapy.
  • Douglas Lauchlan, Lecturer, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University, Physiotherapist, National Stadium Sports Health and Injury Clinic, Hampden Park, Glasgow
    Rehabilitation of NSMLBP; the sporting child/adolescent; head and neck cancer.
  • Lynda Mason, Therapy Team Lead, Physically disabled Rehabilitation Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
    Contracture management; neurological rehabilitation; spasticity management.
  • Dr Alex Pollock, Advanced Health Research Analyst, Stroke Therapy Evaluation Programme (STEP), Glasgow Royal Infirmary
    Stroke rehabilitation; secondary research / systematic reviews.
  • Lisa Morrison*, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Cystic Fibrosis, West of Scotland Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Gartnavel General Hospital
    Cystic fibrosis, also involved in BTS guidelines for neuromuscular disease.
  • Elspeth Donaldson, Senior Physiotherapist, Edinburgh Community Physiotherapy Service, NHS Lothian Triage
    Physiotherapy service delivery; clinical reasoning and reflection.
  • Fraser Ferguson, Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist, Greater Glasgow Back Pain Service
    Back pain; Delphi questionnaire.
  • Debbie Strang, Senior I Physiotherapist, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride
    Goal attainment scaling as an outcome measure.
  • Jo Dawes, Senior Physiotherapist Homeless Team, Glasgow
    Substance misuse and exercise; physical activity for clinical populations.
  • Alan Rankin, Senior Physiotherapist, Ross Hall Hospital, Glasgow Sports injuries
    Musculoskeletal conditions and sports psychology.
  • Carol Ann Turnbull, Senior Physiotherapist, Health at Heart Centre, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
    Cardiac rehabilitation; exercise and physical activity.
  • Mhairi Campbell, Cardiac Rehabilitation coordinator, Health at Heart Centre, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
    Cardiac rehabilitation; exercise and physical activity.
  • Cormac Ryan, PhD student, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Musculoskeletal rehabilitation; lower back pain; physical activity; sports medicine.
  • Dr Philippa Dall, Research Fellow, (Bioengineer) School of Health and Social Care/HealthQwest, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Monitoring physical activity; rehabilitation.
  • Helen Little, Physiotherapy Manager and PhD student, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Trust/ School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Access to health services; self referral; qualitative research on patient experience; hermeneutics.
  • Linda Shand, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Townhead Clinic, Lenzie Road, Kirkintilloch
    Back pain; patient participation in care.
  • Heather Gray, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Occupational health; work related musculoskeletal disorders; ergonomics.
  • Claire Henderson, Superintendant 111, Physiotherapy Department, Leith Community Treatment Centre, Edinburgh
    Triage in the community physiotherapy setting.
  • Morag Barrow, Community Physiotherapy Manager, Tollcross Health Centre, Ponton Street, Edinburgh
    Triage in the community physiotherapy setting.
  • Orla Crummey, Musculoskeletal Outpatient Services Team Leader
    Back and neck pain.
  • Dr Lisa Salisbury, Research Fellow, Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research, School of Health in Social Science, Edinburgh University
    Rehabilitation after a prolonged intensive care stay; stroke rehabilitation, including treadmill training and FES.
  • Nicola Tennant, Research Physiotherapist, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
    Balance and postural control.
  • Wendy Johnson*, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Edinburgh Community Physiotherapy Service NHS Lothian
    Musculoskeletal out-patients physiotherapy, evaluation active currently.
  • Dr Valerie Blair
    Evaluating service delivery, the patient/carer experience, sharing good practice.
  • Dr Dawn Skelton, Reader in Ageing and Health (Exercise Physiologist), School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Exercise interventions to reduce falls and maintain independence.
  • Rebecca Marshall, PhD student, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University
    Expertise: chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain.
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This text on this page was last updated on 5 Jan 2007.