Research Projects available at the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre

PhD Projects

• Lifespan Gait
• Muscle stiffness reduction in healthy and pathological populations
• Amputee Gait
• Sensorimotor integration in the hand

Master of Physiotherapy by Research

• Assessment of hand function in stroke patients using the NK Dexterity Board
• A tool for evaluating sensation
• The use of accelerometers to measure upper limb use after stroke
• A model to investigate upper limb movement using 3-D motion analysis
• Ultrasound biofeedback in the management of incontinence after stroke
• Clinical and laboratory-based measures of gait performance in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Advanced Medical Science or BSc Honours Project

(see projects under PhD also)

• What is the effect of secondary elbow, wrist and hand surgery for children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy?

Postgraduate opportunity in Biomechanics of whole body vibration

Whole body vibration produced vibration reflex contractions in muscles, and is being promoted for weight loss and performance enhancement, but understanding of its actions is poor. Our preliminary dynamometer experiments confirm that voluntary muscle performance is indeed
enhanced. Work is now centred on elucidating how this happens, and will include testing for maximal activation during testing, and investigating the neural drive and effects of the vibration on muscle reflexes and proprioception. We are looking for a postgraduate research student to work on this. 

The project is joint between Prof David Morgan of Monash University Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Prof Mary Galea of the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre of the University of Melbourne and Austin Health.

Students are eligible to apply for scholarships through Monash Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering or through Melbourne Department of Physiotherapy. Initial enquires to the researchers. Scholarship deadline is Oct 31.