Dr Lisa Bunn
Profiles

Dr Lisa Bunn

Associate Head of School (Postgraduate Study)

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)

Dr Lisa Bunn can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Balance
  • Neurological rehabilitation
  • Vision and human movement
  • Rare conditions
  • Movement disorders
  • Ataxia
  • Clinical trials of rehabilitation
  • Research ethics
  • Clinical academic careers
Biography

Biography

Associate Head of School for Postgraduate Study. Doctoral college coordinator for the School of Health Professions. Programme Lead of the Masters of Clinical Research and Chair of the Taught Masters Ethics and Integrity Committee, Faculty of Health. HCPC registered Physiotherapist.


Lisa's  neurological rehabilitation research first explores pathophysiology,  

to guide targeted therapies,  

and then evaluate novel therapeutic design through clinical trial

"Lab to living room"



Lisa is a specialist in the neurophysiology of human movement and translational clinical neuroscience. A clinical-academic herself, consulting at the National Ataxia Centre at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery whilst at UCL, Lisa champions clinical-academic career pathways for those bridging in from clinical sectors. 

Lisa holds prominent roles on the Health Education England/National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) regional committee that awards internships and fellowships to people bridging into research at pre- and post-doctoral levels. Lisa reviews Health Technology Assessment applications for the NIHR and is part of the Advisory Committee developing the new National Institute of Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) Guideline for Rehabilitation of Neurological Conditions.

In addition to NIHR and NICE roles, Lisa is extremely proud to be a long standing member of Action for AT’s scientific advisory committee, reviewing world leading research proposals in the field of Ataxia Telangiectasia. To date her role with the committee has contributed to to decisions to fund over £5 million of research into this rare genetically inherited neurological condition that is still awaiting an effective disease modifying intervention.


Lisa strategically leads postgraduate education and research in the School of Health Professions. Lisa teaches mainly on postgraduate programmes, such as the Masters of Clinical Research and Masters in Advanced Practice as well as by invitation externally. Lisa has supervised a number of PhD and MSc students to completion and has extensively mentored allied health professionals in practice. Lisa module leads core postgraduate inter-professional research modules offered across the MClinRes and Advanced Professional Practice Masters in the Faculty of Health. 
As a Chair of the Faculty of Health's Ethics and Integrity Committee, Lisa plays an integral role in the research approvals and governance as well as strategic development of this service.

Lisa Bunn joined the University in April 2011, helping to develop the flagship MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation and MSc in Clinical Research as well as teaching undergraduate neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and developing key syllabus modules such as complex care in trauma. Having worked clinically in acute and rehabilitation, in specialist regional and national centres, Lisa specialises in inherited neurological conditions, movement disorders and neuromuscular disease, paediatric neurology and oncology, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and sensory neuropathies.

Since joining the University of Plymouth Lisa has collaborated with staff members and external researchers and charities in order to investigate (i) Assessment of ataxia in children with posterior-fossa tumour resection, (ii) Assessment of inherited ataxias (iii) An Oculomotor Pilot Therapy for Improving Movement of the Eyes in Multiple Sclerosis (OptimEYEs MS), (iv) the effects of localised temperature changes on muscle stiffness for people with Multiple Sclerosis and Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis, (v) standing balance impairments in young people with Down Syndrome, (vi) the effect of cataract surgery on balance and (vii) use of widely available commercial devices as an option for clinically measuring balance in children with balance impairment.
Since the launch of the Brain Research and Imaging Centre (BRIC) in 2022, Lisa is working in the Sensorimotor Control Laboratory funded by a world-leading commercial clinical research project.

Previously based in the 'Sensori-motor Control Group' in Queen Square (University College London), Lisa undertook a PhD investigating sensory mechanisms of balance control in cerebellar disease. Lisa worked as a post-doc leading a feasibility RCT involving participants with rare conditions across the breadth of the UK, in collaboration with the Specialist Ataxia Centre at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (lead clinician Dr Paola Giunti). Lisa also worked with Prof Giunti during her early post-doc career on the European EUROSCA project.

In her clinical career Lisa has worked in the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (UCLH), at the Regional Trauma Centre and Regional Paediatric Neuro-rehabilitation Centre at North Bristol NHS Trust and Stoke Mandeville's National Spinal Injuries Centre (Buckinghamshire).

Lisa has won prizes such as the Gordon Holme's prize for Clinical Neuroscience from the Royal Society of Medicine and student (SSTAR) awards for 'Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods', 'Most dedicated dissertation/project supervisor of the year' and 'Personal Tutor of the Year'.


Qualifications

PhD Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London (2010)

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Fellow of The Higher Education Authority

BSc Hons Physiotherapy, UWE Bristol (2003)

Professional membership

Roles on external bodies

Core committee member and panellist of the HEE/NIHR ICA regional personal research award scheme (internships, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral bridging fellowships). 
Research advisory committee AHP representative for Action for AT (Ataxia Telangiectasia).

Former positions:
Vice chair for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Professional Development committee
Member of the CSP Research Committee
Research Officer for the National and Executive committees of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists In Neurology (ACPIN)
Chair of ACPIN Devon and Cornwall Region

Key publications

Bunn LM, Marsden JF, Giunti P & Day BL (2012) 'Stance instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6' Mov Disord 28, (4) 510-516 Author Site , DOI
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

Lisa teaches interprofessional cohorts of students (AHPs, nurses, medics, dentists, healthcare scientists) at undergraduate and postgraduate (Masters and PhD) levels. A physiotherapist herself, Lisa has taught extensively across the Physiotherapy program in addition to Advanced Professional Practice modules within APP Neuro-rehabilitation and the Masters of Clinical Research (MClinRes: Dr Lisa Bunn, programme leader).


Specialist areas (clinical):
  • Ataxia and cerebellar disease
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Balance
  • Neuro-physiology and sensorimotor control
  • Complex case management


Specialist areas (research):

  • Quantitative approaches
  • Mixed methods
  • Co-production
  • Evidence synthesis and guideline development
  • Ethics and governance

    • Lisa holds a special interest in international healthcare research and, as well as being Director of Studies to two current international PhD students, Lisa has championed international students joining an NIHR instigated Masters of Clinical Research to globalise the MClinRes curriculum and help address global health inequality through an enhanced understanding of how research is embedded in health care across the globe. See our feature about how Lisa's work has contributed to the clinical academic career of a now prestigious medic in Nepal.


    Staff serving as external examiners

    University of Monash, PhD studies

    Research

    Research

    Research interests

    Lisa's neurological rehabilitation research first explores pathophysiology, to guide targeted therapies and then evaluate novel therapeutic design through clinical trial: 

    "Lab to living room"

    • Quantitative measurement of balance.
    • Sensori-motor control.
    • Movement disorders.
    • Cerebellar disease.
    • Falls in neurological disorders.
    • The role of vision for balance and visually guided movement.

    Other research

    Lisa conducts translational research involving and engaging patients and the public at all stages of research; from conception to completion of projects. Lisa is leading a co-production project presently with a large team of professionals and family experts.

    Lisa champions ethics and integrity in research and asks for all ethics committee applicants to indicate how they are striving to address or mitigate health inequalities in their proposals for research.

    Lisa champions translation of research into healthcare policy - her personal contributions to Clinical Guideline development include:

    National Clinical Guideline for Stroke 5th Ed., Royal College of Physicians

    Management of the ataxias towards best clinical practice, 3rd Ed., Ataxia UK: Now published international guidelines

    Lisa champions research-led education and has made two significant contributions to core-texts for health care professional education (spanning undergraduate and postgraduate education):

    Physical Management for Neurological Conditions - a core text for undergraduate healthcare professionals

    Neurological rehabilitation : spasticity and contractures in clinical practice and research - a core text for advanced professional practice

     

    Research degrees awarded to supervised students

    PhD Completed:
    PhD student, Catherine Bain, Fight for Sight fellowship:  Improving visual field tests for populations with advanced glaucoma and visual field loss in the far periphery (Awarded 2021)


    Current PhD supervision:
    PhD student, Helen Hartley, NIHR fellowship, ASPECT Study : The ASsessment and Physiotherapy managEment of ataxia in Children following surgical resection of posterior fossa Tumour", ref:ICA-CDRF-2016-02-065 for an ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship, Health Education England. £223,377.00 Children following surgical resection of posterior fossa Tumour

    Director of Studies: PhD student: Nesibe Cakmak, Fellowship from the Turkish Government: Physiotherapy approaches for balance rehabilitation in people with Parkinson’s disease.

    Director of Studies: PhD student: Munira Khan, Studentship from main PI Bunn award from Action for AT: 

     
    MSc student completion: n=27
    Current MSc student: n=5

    Grants & contracts

    2010-2011      MRC and Ataxia UK funded, University College London

    UCL School: Biomedical sciences (Institute of Neurology, Sobell Department, Whole-body sensori-motor group).

    2006-2010      Ataxia UK funded, UCL/NHNN, London
    UCL School: Biomedical sciences (Institute of Neurology, Sobell Department, Whole-body sensori-motor group). Supervisors: Prof Brian Day, Prof Jonathan Marsden, Dr Paola Giunti.

    2004-2006      Senior 2 physiotherapist, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol

    2003-2004      Physiotherapist, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury

    Publications

    Publications

    Key publications

    Bunn LM, Marsden JF, Giunti P & Day BL (2012) 'Stance instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6' Mov Disord 28, (4) 510-516 Author Site , DOI

    Key publications are highlighted

    Journals
    Articles
    Swift P & Bunn L (2022) 'An analysis of Public Health England's vaccination data for care home workers immediately preceding a 'Roadmap out of COVID-19 Lockdown'' BJGP Open Author Site , DOI Open access
    Warner CL, Bunn L, Koohi N, Schmidtmann G, Freeman J & Kaski D (2021) 'Clinician’s perspectives in using Head Impulse-Nystagmus-Test of Skew for Acute Vestibular Syndrome: UK experience' Stroke and Vascular Neurology , DOI Open access
    Hartley H, Lane S, Pizer B, Bunn L, Carter B, Cassidy E & Kumar R (2021) 'Ataxia and mobility in children following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour: A longitudinal cohort study' Child's Nervous System , DOI Open access
    Bunn L, Byrne C, Virgo P, Bannigan K & Candy E (2021) 'Evaluating participants' perceptions of a functional physical fitness assessment for those aged 60 years and over conducted in the community by student physiotherapists' International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 28, (3) Publisher Site , DOI Open access
    Twinley R, Boland L, Bunn L & Letherby G (2020) 'A Scoping Review Protocol to Map Empirical Evidence that Illuminates the Dark Side of Occupations Among Adults' Social Science Protocols 3, 1-13 , DOI Open access
    Hartley H, Cassidy E, Bunn L, Kumar R, Pizer B, Lane S & Carter B (2019) 'Exercise and Physical Therapy Interventions for Children with Ataxia: A Systematic Review' The Cerebellum , DOI Open access
    (2019) 'The ASsessment and Physiotherapy managEment of Ataxia in Children Following Surgical Resection of Posterior Fossa Tumour' Case Medical Research , DOI
    de Silva R, Greenfield J, Cook A, Bonney H, Vallortigara J, Hunt B & Giunti P (2019) 'Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of the progressive ataxias' Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 14, (1) , DOI Open access
    Caunter A, Csikasz A, Hambly M, Hogan M, Candy E & Bunn L (2019) 'Evaluating the feasibility of a randomised control trial of self-applied hand and wrist tape for the management of essential tremor' Physiotherapy 105, e104-e105 , DOI
    Hartley H, Carter B, Bunn L, Pizer B, Lane S, Kumar R & Cassidy E (2019) 'E-SURVEY OF CURRENT INTERNATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN WITH ATAXIA FOLLOWING SURGICAL RESECTION OF POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMOUR' Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine , DOI Open access
    Hartley H, Pizer B, Lane S, Sneade C, Williams R, Mallucci C, Bunn LM & Kumar R (2018) 'Incidence and prognostic factors of ataxia in children with posterior fossa tumours' Neuro Oncology Practice , DOI Open access
    Denton A, Bunn L, Hough A, Bugmann G & Marsden J (2016) 'Superficial warming and cooling of the leg affects walking speed and neuromuscular impairments in people with spastic paraparesis' Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 59, (5-6) 326-332 , DOI Open access
    Paap BK, Roeske S, Durr A, Schöls L, Ashizawa T, Boesch S, Bunn LM, Delatycki MB, Giunti P & Lehéricy S (2016) 'Standardized Assessment of Hereditary Ataxia Patients in Clinical Studies' Movement Disorders Clinical Practice 3, (3) 230-240 , DOI Open access
    Bunn LM, Marsden JF, Voyce DC, Giunti P & Day BL (2015) 'Sensorimotor processing for balance in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6' Mov Disord 30, (9) 1259-1266 Author Site , DOI Open access
    Bunn LM, Marsden JF, Giunti P & Day BL (2015) 'Training balance with opto-kinetic stimuli in the home: a randomized controlled feasibility study in people with pure cerebellar disease' Clin Rehabil 29, (2) 143-153 Author Site , DOI
    Bunn LM, Marsden JF, Giunti P & Day BL (2012) 'Stance instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6' Mov Disord 28, (4) 510-516 Author Site , DOI
    Bunn LM, Fonteyn EMR, Schmidtz-Hubsch T, Verstappen CCP, Baliko L, Bloem BR, Boesch S, Giunti P, Globas C & Klockgether T (2012) 'Prospective Analysis of Falls in Dominant Ataxias' European Neurology 69, (1) 53-57 , DOI
    Bunn LM, Fonteyn EM, Schmidtz-Hubsch T, Verstappen CC, Baliko L, Boesch S, Bloem BR, Charles P, Dürr A & Filla A (2010) 'Falls in spinocerebellar ataxias: Results of the EuroSCA Fall Study' The Cerebellum: an international journal from neurosciences to clinical perspectives 9, (2) 232-239 , DOI
    Chapters
    Bunn LM, Wallace A & Cassidy E (2018) 'Observation and analysis of movement' Physical Management for Neurological Conditions Open access
    Marsden J, Bunn L, Denton A & Padmakumari Sivaraman Nair K (2018) 'Hereditary spastic paraparesis and other hereditary myelopathies' in Pandyan A; Hermens H; Conway B Neurological rehabilitation: Spasticity and Contractures in Clinical Practice and Research Taylor Francis Open access
    Conference Papers
    Bain C, Marin-Franch I, Malik R, McNaught AI, Bunn L & Artes PH (2019) 'Adaptive kinetic perimetry of the peripheral visual field'
    Hartley H, Pizer B, Lane S, Bunn LM & Kumar R (2018) 'Longitudinal assessment of ataxia in children following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumours' International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Denver, Colorado USA 6-/-0/20187-/-0/2018Oxford University Press (OUP) , DOI Open access
    Hartley H, Carter B, Bunn LM, Kumar R, Cassidy E, Lane S & Pizer B (2018) 'QOL-05. E-SURVEY OF CURRENT INTERNATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN WITH ATAXIA FOLLOWING SURGICAL RESECTION OF POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMOUR' International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Denver, Colorado, USA 6-/-0/20187-/-0/2018, DOI Open access
    de Silva R, Greenfield J, Cook A, Hadjivassiliou M, Nemeth A, Bunn L, Pantazis A, Bremner F, Bates C & Bonney H (2018) 'How to diagnose and manage progressive ataxia: guidelines for professionals' 417-417
    Vanbuel L, Bunn L, Hollands M, Lavrysen A, Feys P & Marsden J (2016) 'Oculomotor re-training in people with progressive Multiple Sclerosis and cerebellar signs: A proof of concept study' 393-394
    Hamer C, Shum G, Bunn L, Marsden J, Buckhurst H, Purslow C, Habib N & Buckhurst PJ (2016) 'The Effect of Loss of Contrast and Distortion on Vision and Mobility Tasks'
    Wolstenholme S, Bunn L, Denton A & Marsden J (2014) 'Effect of localised lower limb warming and cooling on neuromuscular impairments and functional ability' 971-971
    Bunn LM, Waddington J, Harris C, Skirton H & Marsden J (2013) 'Investigating balance in persons with Down Syndrome: A focus on vision' 2nd Joint World Congress of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research and Gait and Mental Function Akita, Japan 6-/-0/20136-/-0/2013
    Bunn LM (2012) 'Multi-sensory contributions to balance control in pure cerebellar disease: Translating neuroscience from laboratory to living room' Ataxia Research Conference Stansted, London 1-/-1/20121-/-1/2012London, UK (Ataxia UK website online) Ataxia UK Publisher Site
    Day B, Bunn LM, Giunti P & Marsden J (2012) 'Processing vestibular, proprioceptive and visual information for balance control in pure cerebellar disease (SCA6)' 1st Joint World Congress of ISPGR and Gait & Mental Function Trondheim, Norway 6-/-0/20126-/-0/2012The International Society of Posture and Gait Research Publisher Site
    Bunn LM (2012) 'What causes balance impairment in cerebellar disease?' National ACPIN Conference 'The Backbone of Neurology' Northampton 3-/-0/20123-/-0/2012ACPIN conference proceedings
    Bunn LM, Marsden J, Giunti P & Day B (2011) 'Balance impairment in cerebellar disease: Can it be explained by disrupted sensory processing?' The 16th World Congress of Physical Therapy Amsterdam, The Netherlands 6-/-0/20116-/-0/2011Elsevier RR-PO-206-5-Thu-RR-PO-206-5-Thu
    Bunn LM, Marsden J, Giunti P & Day B (2009) 'Balance control in spino-cerebellar ataxia type 6: Vestibular processing unravelled' The19th International Conference of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research Bologna, Italy 6-/-0/20096-/-0/2009377-377
    Bunn LM, Giunti P, Marsden J & Day B (2009) 'The influence of posture on the pattern of whole-body instability in freely-standing subjects with SCA6' The19th International Conference of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research Bologna, Italy 6-/-0/20096-/-0/2009The International Society of Posture and Gait Research 377-377
    Bunn LM, Marsden J, Giunti P & Day B (2009) 'The pattern of instability and its dependence on posture in spino-cerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)' Movement Disorders Society 13th International Congress Paris 6-/-0/20096-/-0/2009Movement Disorders Society 68-68 Publisher Site
    Bunn LM, Giunti P, Marsden J & Day B (2009) 'Vestibular processing for balance control in spino-cerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)' Movement Disorders Society 13th International Congress Paris 6-/-0/20096-/-0/2009Movement Disorders Society 68-68 Publisher Site
    Bunn LM, Marsden J, Giunti P & Day B (2008) 'Vestibular processing for balance control in cerebellar disease' 5th International Posture Symposium Smolenice Castle, Slovakia 9-/-0/20089-/-0/2008Slovakia Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewiczova 1, 81371 Bratislava Publisher Site
    Reports
    Bowen A, James M & Young G (2016) Royal College of Physicians 2016 National clinical guideline for stroke. Royal College of Physicians, NICE accredited Online RCP Open access
    Day B, Giunti P, Marsden J & Bunn LM (2011) Ataxia UK Summary of Final Report: Investigating balance therapies in cerebellar ataxia: Evaluating therapeutic outcome measures and feasibility testing of a novel intervention. Ataxia UK Ataxia UK webpages Ataxia UK Publisher Site
    Presentations and posters
    Bunn LM, Jones R, Haas B, Gunn H & Schoenborn P Bunn LM, Jones R, Haas B, Gunn H & Schoenborn P 'Clinical CPD in Devon and Cornwall: Surveying current constraints to accessing activities and scoping the potential for web-based CPD delivery for clinicians' Open access
    Hartley H, Carter B, Bunn LM, Kumar R, Cassidy E, Lane S & Pizer B Hartley H, Carter B, Bunn LM, Kumar R, Cassidy E, Lane S & Pizer B 'E-Survey of current international physiotherapy practice for children with ataxia following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour' Open access
    Bunn LM, Payne A, Bell D, Marshall M, Dowling L & Ashworth S Bunn LM, Payne A, Bell D, Marshall M, Dowling L & Ashworth S 'Investigating feasibility of use of an Android Smart Phone Application (MoveIt) as a clinical outcome measure' Open access
    Bunn LM, Dowling L, Lake J, Marshall M, Bell D, Payne A & Ashford S Bunn LM, Dowling L, Lake J, Marshall M, Bell D, Payne A & Ashford S 'Investigating feasibility of use of an Android Smart Phone Application (MoveIt) as a clinical outcome measure' Open access
    Bunn LM, Weeks E, Walsh B, Silcox L & Carr S Bunn LM, Weeks E, Walsh B, Silcox L & Carr S 'Is there an association between visual tracking and eye-hand coordination? A ´mobile laboratory methods´ based pilot study' Open access
    Bunn LM, Marsden J, Cassidy E & Kilbride C Bunn LM, Marsden J, Cassidy E & Kilbride C 'Physiotherapy management of the ataxias towards best clinical practice: 2016 guideline update' Open access
    Bunn LM, Cowie D, Brady D, Cattani A & Marsden J Bunn LM, Cowie D, Brady D, Cattani A & Marsden J 'Wee-Wii-validation: Investigating the validity and reliability of the Nintendo Wii Balance Board for assessment of standing balance in young children' Open access
    Hartley H, Pizer B, Lane S, Bunn L, Carter B, Cassidy E & Kumar R Hartley H, Pizer B, Lane S, Bunn L, Carter B, Cassidy E & Kumar R 'QOL-04. LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF ATAXIA IN CHILDREN FOLLOWING SURGICAL RESECTION OF POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMOURS'
    Canning L & Bunn L Canning L & Bunn L 'Exploring delivery of 24-hour postural management for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities' , DOI
    Cakmak N, Freeman J, Carroll C, Logan A & Bunn L Cakmak N, Freeman J, Carroll C, Logan A & Bunn L 'Balance rehabilitation for people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease: A scoping review of dual-task training interventions and outcome measures' Author Site Open access
    Candy E, Bunn L, Byrne C, Hornsby C, Virgo P & Bannigan K Candy E, Bunn L, Byrne C, Hornsby C, Virgo P & Bannigan K 'Evaluating the benefit of physical fitness MOTs for people aged over 60 with Devon AgeUK and Age Concern' , DOI
    Other Publications
    Bates C, Baxter P, Bonney H, Bremner F, Bunn L, Carrillo Perez-Tome M, Chung M, Cipolotti L, de Silva R & Duberley K Management of the ataxias towards best clinical practice. United Kingdom Ataxia UK 1-88 Open access
    Personal

    Personal

    Reports & invited lectures

    Online: Expert point of view "Rehabilitating rehab? The changing landscape of neurorehabilitation following COVID-19

    Other academic activities

    Journal manuscript reviewer:

    The Cerebellum

    Physiotherapy

    BMC Geriatrics

    Funding reviewer:

    NIHR Heath Technology Assessment funding

    The Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong

    The Stroke Association

    Ataxia UK

    Action for AT

    The CSP Physiotherapy Research Foundation

    CSP ACPIN travel bursaries and studentships