Dr Lisa Bunn
Profiles

Dr Lisa Bunn

Lecturer in Clinical Research

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences)

Role

Lecturer of Clinical Research

Qualifications

Lisa currently programme leads the Masters of Clinical Research (MClinRes) and module leads 'Project Design for Research' within the School of Health Profession's postgraduate education. Alongside a team of interdisciplinary colleagues, Lisa principally teaches allied health, medical and nursing professionals on a range of postgraduate study modules.

Lisa Bunn joined the Rehabilitation Research Group (Faculty of Health and Human Sciences) as a post-doctoral fellow and physiotherapy lecturer in April 2011.  Lisa has previously extensively taught on the undergraduate neurological, musculoskeletal and research physiotherapy modules and on the advanced professional practice and neurological rehabilitation MSc programmes.  She has module-led the second and final year undergraduate neurological physiotherapy modules concerned with management of individuals with complex multi-pathologies, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, guillain barre-syndrome and cerebral palsy. 

Since joining the school 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. 

Lisa actively promotes continuous professional development (CPD) activity, has  investigated factors affecting accessibility to CPD  and has championed this in past roles held with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (research and development committee) and ACPIN (national and exectutive committee member plus local ACPIN chair).

Previously based in Prof Brian Day's 'Sensori-motor Control Group' in Queen Square (University College London), Lisa undertook a PhD investigating sensory mechansims of balance control in cerebellar disease. Lisa was funded by Ataxia UK to undertake a three year study of neurophysiology for balance in persons with SCA (spino-cerebellar ataxias). Ataxia UK later funded a short post-doctoral study where the feasibility of a novel design of home-based therapy was evaluated. These studies were in collaboration with the Specialist Ataxia Centre at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (lead clinician Dr Paola Giunti).

In her clinical career Lisa worked in the Specialist Ataxia Centre of UCLH, as a physiotherapist at Frenchay Hospital (North Bristol) and Stoke Mandeville Hospital and National Spinal Injuries Centre (Buckinghamshire).

In 2012 Lisa won the Gordon Holme's prize for Clinical Neuroscience from the Royal Society of Medicine and in 2016 Lisa was nominated a student elected SSTAR award for 'Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods'.

Professional membership

  • HCPC registered 'Physiotherapist'
  • Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  • Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN)
  • Member of the Physiotherapy Research Foundation
  • Member of the Movement Disorders Society
  • Member of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research
  • Member of the Plymouth University Rehabilitation Research Group (Institute of Health and Community)

Roles on external bodies

Member of the research advisory committee for Action for AT (ataxia telangiectasia).

Teaching interests

Currently involved with teaching undergraduate physiotherapists and postgraduate therapists. Teaching methods include lecturing, conducting practical sessions aligning with the faculty's emphasis on ultilising a problem-based learning approach.

  • Specialist areas:
  • Ataxia and cerebellar disease.
  • Neuro-rehabilitation and research methods.
  • Quantitative measurement of balance and neuro-physiology.

Research interests

Neurorehabilitation: targeting therapies through exploration of disease patho-physiology.

  • 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.

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

·         PhD student, Helen Hartley, NIHRfellowship, ASPECT Study : The ASsessment and Physiotherapy managEment of ataxia in Childrenfollowing surgical resection of posterior fossa Tumour", ref:ICA-CDRF-2016-02-065 for an ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship, HealthEducation England. £223,377.00 Children following surgical resection ofposterior fossa Tumour

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

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
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 PEARL
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 PEARL
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 PEARL
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 PEARL
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 PEARL
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' Movement Disorders , 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 PEARL
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 PEARL
Conference Papers
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 29/06/2018 03/07/2018 Oxford University Press (OUP) , DOI PEARL
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 29/06/2018 03/07/2018 , DOI PEARL
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 22/06/2013 26/06/2013
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 01/11/2012 03/11/2012 London, 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 23/06/2012 28/06/2012 The 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 09/03/2012 10/03/2012 ACPIN 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 20/06/2011 23/06/2011 Elsevier 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 21/06/2009 25/06/2009 377-377
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 21/06/2009 25/06/2009 The 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 07/06/2009 11/06/2009 Movement 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 07/06/2009 11/06/2009 Movement 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 03/09/2008 06/09/2008 Slovakia 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 PEARL
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
Posters
Bunn LM, Jones R, Haas B, Gunn H & Schoenborn P Bunn LM, Jones R, Haas B, Gunn H & Schoenborn P 0 'Clinical CPD in Devon and Cornwall: Surveying current constraints to accessing activities and scoping the potential for web-based CPD delivery for clinicians' 0 0 PEARL
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 0 'E-Survey of current international physiotherapy practice for children with ataxia following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour' 0 0 PEARL
Bunn LM, Payne A, Bell D, Marshall M, Dowling L & Ashworth S Bunn LM, Payne A, Bell D, Marshall M, Dowling L & Ashworth S 0 'Investigating feasibility of use of an Android Smart Phone Application (MoveIt) as a clinical outcome measure' 0 0 PEARL
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 0 'Investigating feasibility of use of an Android Smart Phone Application (MoveIt) as a clinical outcome measure' 0 0 PEARL
Bunn LM, Weeks E, Walsh B, Silcox L & Carr S Bunn LM, Weeks E, Walsh B, Silcox L & Carr S 0 'Is there an association between visual tracking and eye-hand coordination? A ´mobile laboratory methods´ based pilot study' 0 0 PEARL
Bunn LM, Marsden J, Cassidy E & Kilbride C Bunn LM, Marsden J, Cassidy E & Kilbride C 0 'Physiotherapy management of the ataxias towards best clinical practice: 2016 guideline update' 0 0 PEARL
Bunn LM, Cowie D, Brady D, Cattani A & Marsden J Bunn LM, Cowie D, Brady D, Cattani A & Marsden J 0 'Wee-Wii-validation: Investigating the validity and reliability of the Nintendo Wii Balance Board for assessment of standing balance in young children' 0 0 PEARL
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 0 Management of the ataxias towards best clinical practice. United Kingdom Ataxia UK 0 0 1-88 PEARL
Bunn LM 0 Sensory mechanisms of balance control in pure cerebellar disease. 0 0