Rehabilitation and Allied Health

The Rehabilitation and Allied Health research theme involves a range of work in the rehabilitation and allied health disciplines. Research ranges from the synthesis of evidence underpinning allied health management of conditions to assessing the properties of outcome measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other health interventions. As well, the description, measurement, and evaluation of living with acute, complex and chronic conditions in the context of daily life are studied.

Further research under this theme includes the evaluation of the rehabilitation effectiveness for adults and children with upper and lower limb disorders, the documentation of Allied Health education practices and the experience and impact of living with a disability across the lifespan.

Our work in rehabilitation and allied health is funded by a variety of organisations and is carried out with in collaboration with a range of research and community organisations.

Current and recent research includes:

• Evidenced based interventions for acute and chronic conditions, such as brachial plexus birth palsy, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, tendino-pathies, depression and anxiety and inflammatory arthritis
• Investigating clinical practice areas such as the Emergency Department, Palliative Care and Paediatrics
• Outcome tools and measurement related to functional performance, such as hand sensation, upper limb following brachial plexus injury and analysis of gait
• Disability and care giving focusing on carer health and well-being, family support and service needs
• Educational research, focusing on clinical education, professional identity, attitudes to aging, and multi-disciplinary care team work

Contact for Rehabilitation and Allied Health Research

Associate Professor Andrea Bialocerkowski – a.bialocerkowski@uws.edu.au