Dr Rachel Dennett
Profiles

Dr Rachel Dennett

Lecturer in Physiotherapy

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)

Biography

Biography

In my role I am involved in teaching and supporting the learning of students undertaking pre registration and post graduate programmes of study within the School of Health Professions (SoHP). I am actively involved in research with a specific interest in supporting people living with a long term condition to manage their condition well. My work has focused on understanding more about how to support people to become and remain as active as possible throughout their lives. An aspect of this formed the focus of my recently completed PhD, titled Supporting Adherence to Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Whilst working at the SoHP and School of Medicine as a researcher I have been involved in a number of research studies:

  • A feasibility RCT of peer coaching for adults with long term conditions (PEER CONNECT)
  • A multi-centre RCT and cost-effectiveness analysis comparing customised with booklet based vestibular rehabilitation for vestibulopathy in people with multiple sclerosis (VeRMiS Trial)
  • A multi-centre RCT investigating the clinical and cost effectiveness of a standing frame programme in people with multiple sclerosis (SUMS Trial)
  • A multi-centre feasibility RCT to investigate use of web-based technology for exercises in people with multiple sclerosis (WEBPaMS trial).


Qualifications

2021 PhD by prior published works in health professions. 

1998 BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. University of Wales College of Medicine

Professional membership

Health and Care Professions Council

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN) 

Therapists in Multiple Sclerosis (TiMS) 


Roles on external bodies

Member of the international MoXFo (moving exercise research forward in MS) initiative trial design group

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I have experience of planning for, and teaching on, the Undergraduate Physiotherapy Programme at University of Plymouth which has included; 

  • tutorials; multiple sclerosis module; stroke module; evidence based practice
  • supervision of final year students during data collection for their research project
  • visiting students on clinical placement. 
  • VNG assessment as part of a Masters module teaching session on vestibular system assessment.

Publications

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Goddard S, Gunn H, Kent B, Dennett R & Goddard S (2024) 'The Experience of Physical Recovery and Physical Rehabilitation Following Hospital Discharge for Intensive Care Survivors— A Qualitative Systematic Review' Nursing Reports 14, 148-163 , DOI Open access
Dalgas U, Riemenschneider M, Gold SM, Kalron A, Beckerman H, de Groot V, Dennett R, Edwards T, Pilutti LA & Freeman J (2023) 'The MoXFo initiative – study design: Considerations related to study design and methodology in exercise research for people with multiple sclerosis' Multiple Sclerosis Journal , DOI Open access
Dennett R, Thompson T, Clyne W, Straukiene A, Davies-Cox H, Hosking J, Bones K, Weight O & Elston J (2022) 'Protocol for a pragmatic feasibility randomised controlled trial of peer coaching for adults with long-term conditions: PEER CONNECT' BMJ Open 12, (9) , DOI Open access
Jones RB, Hubble S, Taylor L, Gunn H, Logan A, Rowland T, Bradwell H, Connolly LJ, Algie K & Anil K (2021) 'Authors’ Response to Peer Reviews of “Technologies to Support Assessment of Movement During Video Consultations: Exploratory Study”' JMIRx Med 2, (3) e32248-e32248 , DOI Open access
Jones RB, Hubble S, Taylor L, Gunn H, Logan A, Rowland T, Bradwell H, Connolly LJ, Algie K & Anil K (2021) 'Technologies to Support Assessment of Movement During Video Consultations: Exploratory Study' JMIRx Med 2, (3) , DOI Open access
Taul-Madsen L, Connolly L, Dennett R, Freeman J, Dalgas U & Hvid L (2021) 'Is aerobic or resistance training the most effective exercise modality for improving lower extremity physical function and perceived fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis' Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , DOI Open access
Marsden J, Pavlou M, Dennett R, Gibbon A, Knight-Lozano R, Jeu L, Flavell C, Freeman J, Bamiou DE & Harris C (2020) 'Vestibular rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis comparing customised with booklet based vestibular rehabilitation for vestibulopathy and a 12 month observational cohort study of the symptom reduction and recurrence rate following treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo' BMC Neurology 20, (1) , DOI Open access
Dennett R, Hendrie W, Jarrett L, Creanor S, Barton A, Hawton A & Freeman JA (2020) '“I’m in a very good frame of mind”: a qualitative exploration of the experience of standing frame use in people with progressive multiple sclerosis' BMJ Open 10, (10) e037680-e037680 , DOI Open access
Dennett R, Madsen LT, Connolly L, Hosking J, Dalgas U & Freeman J (2020) 'Adherence and drop-out in randomized controlled trials of exercise interventions in people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analyses' Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 43, 102169-102169 , DOI Open access
Freeman J, Hendrie W, Jarrett L, Hawton A, Barton A, Dennett R, Jones B, Zajicek J & Creanor S (2019) 'Assessment of a home-based standing frame programme in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (SUMS): a pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis' The Lancet Neurology 18, (8) 736-747 , DOI Open access
Dennett R, Coulter E, Paul L & Freeman J (2019) 'A qualitative exploration of the participants’ experience of a web-based physiotherapy program for people with multiple sclerosis: Does it impact on the ability to increase and sustain engagement in physical activity?' Disability and Rehabilitation , DOI Open access
Dennett R, Coulter E, Paul L & Freeman J (2016) 'Effectiveness and user experience of web-based interventions for increasing physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis' JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 14, (11) 50-62 , DOI Open access
Allison R, Shelling L, Dennett R, Ayers T, Evans PH & Campbell JL (2011) 'The effectiveness of various models of primary care-based follow-up after stroke: a systematic review' Primary Health Care Research & Development 12, (03) 214-222 , DOI
Allison R & Dennett R (2007) 'Pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of additional supported standing practice on functional ability post stroke' Clinical Rehabilitation 21, (7) 614-619 , DOI
Conference Papers
Dennett R, Gunn H & Freeman J (2018) 'Effectiveness of and user experience with web-based interventions in increasing physical activity levels in people with Multiple Sclerosis: A systematic review' Oxford University Press (OUP) , DOI Open access
Presentations and posters
Dennett R, Coulter E, Paul L & Freeman J Dennett R, Coulter E, Paul L & Freeman J 'Participants' Experience of a Web-based Physiotherapy Programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Does it impact physical activity levels?' Open access
Hendrie W, Dennett R, Jarrett L, Creanor S, Barton A, Hawton A, Marsden J & Freeman J Hendrie W, Dennett R, Jarrett L, Creanor S, Barton A, Hawton A, Marsden J & Freeman J '“I’m in a very good frame of mind”: the experience of standing frame use in people with progressive multiple sclerosis' , DOI
Freeman J, Hendrie W, Jarrett L, Hawton A-M, Barton A, Dennett R, Jones B, Marsden J, Zajicek J & Creanor S Freeman J, Hendrie W, Jarrett L, Hawton A-M, Barton A, Dennett R, Jones B, Marsden J, Zajicek J & Creanor S 'Standing up in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (SUMS): A multi-centre randomised controlled trial evaluating a home-based standing frame programme' , DOI