Dr Catherine Cook

• Qualifications
• Biography
• Research
• Selected Publications
• Grants/Current Projects
• Teaching Interests
• Awards/Honours
• Professional Activities

Qualifications

BAppSc(OT), MAppSc(Ergonomics), PhD

Biography

Catherine has been a part of the Occupational Therapy team at the University of Western Sydney since the program commenced in 1995. Catherine commenced her career in health care in the field of nursing. Following two years working as a registered nurse, she returned to study Occupational Therapy. Catherine has worked in the clinical areas of occupational rehabilitation, brain injury and spinal cord injury both overseas and in Australia. Her interest in workplace based rehabilitation led to graduate studies in ergonomics.

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Research

Catherine's doctoral research studies, through the University of Queensland, were in the area of the ergonomics of computer workstations, especially the issue of forearm support. She has conducted research and consulted on issues faced by intensive computer users in call centres. Catherine is currently involved in research on the use of outcome measures by allied health professionals, and is supervising a PhD student in this area. She is also interested in professional issues related to occupational therapy practice in particular in the area of injury management and work rehabilitation.

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Selected Publications

Cook, C., & Lukersmith, S. (2010). Work rehabilitation. In M. Curtin, M. Molineux & J. Supyk-Mellson (Eds.), Occupational therapy and physical dysfunction: Enabling occupation. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Bowman, J., Lannin, N., Cook, C. & McCluskey, A. (2009). Development and psychometric testing of the Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 15, 76-84.

Cook, C., Downes, L., & Bowman, J. (2008). Long-term effects of forearm support: Computer users working at conventional desks. Work, 2, 107-112.

Cook, C., McCluskey, A., & Bowman, J. (2007). Occupational therapists report increased use of outcome measures after participation in an education program. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(11), 487-492.

Radford, J., Landorf, K., Buchbinder, R., & Cook, C. (2007). Effectiveness of calf muscle stretching for the short-term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomised trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 8(36). http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/8/36

Cook, C., McCluskey, A., & Bowman, J. (2006). Increasing the use of outcome measures by occupational therapists. Retrieved April 20, 2007, from http://www.maa.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx?MenuID=188#174

Radford, J., Burns, J., Buchbinder, R., Landorf, K.B., & Cook, C. (2006). Does stretching increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, published online 22 Aug 2006 doi:10.1136/bsjm.2006.029348)

Radford, J., Burns, J., Buchbinder, R., Landorf, K., Cook, C. (2006). The effect of Low-Dye taping on kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic variables: A systematic review. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physiotherapy, 36(4) pp 232-241

Radford, J., Landorf, K., Buchbinder, R., & Cook, C. (2006).  Effectiveness of low-Dye taping for the short-term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomised trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 7,64. Retrieved September 2007 from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/7/64

Cook, C., & Burgess-Limerick, R. (2004). The effect of forearm support on musculoskeletal discomfort during call centre work. Applied Ergonomics, 35(4), 337-342.

Cook, C., Burgess-Limerick, R., & Papalia, S. (2004). The effect of upper extremity support on upper extremity posture and muscle activity during keyboard use. Applied Ergonomics, 35(3), 285-292.

Cook, C., Burgess-Limerick, R., & Papalia, S. (2004). The effect of wrist rests and forearm support during keyboard and mouse use. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 33(5), 463-472.

Cook, C., & Burgess-Limerick, R. (2003). Guidelines for Computer Workstations. Ergonomics Australia, 17(1), 19-35.

Cook, C., Burgess-Limerick, R., & Chang, S. (2000). The prevalence of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms in computer mouse users. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 26(3), 347-356.

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 Grants/Current projects

• 2004-2005 Motor Accidents Authority of NSW
• Increasing the use of outcome measures by occupational therapists in NSW

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Teaching Interests

Catherine's teaching interest lie in ergonomics, occupational analysis and occupational rehabilitation to undergraduate students as well as supervision of honours and PhD students.

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Awards/Honours

• Carrick Australian Award for University Teaching (2006): Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (team award given to the occupational therapy program team)
• Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award Teaching and Learning (2005): Highly Commended (team award given to the occupational therapy program team)

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Professional Activities

• Member of OT Australia
• Member of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia
• Referee for the Australian Occupational Therapy, and the Ergonomics & Work Journals

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