Rehabilitation research

A forum for scientists, health care professionals and service users to exchange ideas and develop new research ventures

The research being conducted provides an excellent mix of pathophysiology, behavioural science and health care practice, thus providing a good forum for scientists, health care professionals and service users to exchange ideas and develop new research ventures.

Research into disability and rehabilitation, and prevention and management takes place under the aegis of a cross-faculty group that also involves researchers in the Peninsula Medical School and the local NHS. Its focus is to investigate a broad range of issues, extending from the underlying mechanisms of disability and secondary pathology, to the evaluation of rehabilitation interventions and orthotic devices designed to prevent or manage disability and disease complications across a range of conditions.

Our research to date has focused on four main areas:

  • Understanding the underlying causes of functional difficulties.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of whole-care packages and targeted interventions.
  • Understanding mechanisms underlying rehabilitation and factors affecting prognosis.
  • Development and evaluation of service delivery

Rehabilitation within specialist areas

Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis
 Our clinical trials in this area evaluate a range of physical rehabilitation interventions, typically delivered within the NHS, and all aimed at improving the function and wellbeing of people with MS

Balance Enhancement and Ulcer Prevention in Diabetes Balance Enhancement and Ulcer Prevention in Diabetes
 BEUP is an academic/NHS multidisciplinary collaboration. We aim is to translate our research to influence and inform everyday clinical practice to focus on the problems faced by people with diabetes and neuropathy

The Motor Control Laboratory The Motor Control Laboratory
 Investigating how movements are affected by neurological conditions such as neuropathy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, MS and hereditary conditions.

ACCEPT (Cerebral Palsy) ACCEPT (Cerebral Palsy)
ACCEPT is a novel interactive training device to improve walking Ability and quality of life for Children with CErebral Palsy Trial

Telerehabilitation Telerehabilitation
 Our Telerehab Toolkit is designed to help in undertaking effective remote consultations for people with physical disabilities and movement impairment

EMaPP (Orthotic Management) EMaPP (Orthotic Management)
 EMaPP is a randomised controlled feasibility trial evaluating the management of chronic pelvic girdle pain following pregnancy

Our researchers

Research environment