AUT - Person Centred Research Centre: research activites
- ArionWhere applying and enrolled students can access AUT course information, check your enrolment status, make fee payments, update your personal details and view your academic results.
- AUTOnlineOnline access to course resources and learning activities through AUT's central learning management system.
- UnicentralUniCentral is the AUT University Student Portal. Here you will find useful information about you as a student and quicklinks to all the important online systems you will need to use while studying at AUT University.
Person Centred Research Centre: research activites
This page highlights some of the current and past research activities of the Person Centered Research Centre:
Active Research Projects
Projects Currently Recruiting Participants
Bridging the intention-action gap in rehabilitation; a pilot study of an implementation intention intervention
Paula Kersten, Nicola Kayes,Alice Theadom,Kathryn McPherson
Funding: AUT Contestable Grant
Many people with disabilities struggle to work towards their rehabilitation goals. As a result we often observe a gap between the person’s intention and what they actually do. This study will explore whether a strategy called ‘if-then’ plans can help people with multiple sclerosis or stroke overcome this ‘intention-action’ gap and thereby improve their rehabilitation outcomes and well-being. We will compare people who develop ‘if-then’ goals with those setting standard goals, to see if this strategy is acceptable and potentially beneficial for patients. We will assess outcomes with a timed walk and a number of questionnaires. People will also be invited to take part in a focus group or an interview.
Contact: Paula Kersten
Portable airway support in stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - The Breath Easy Study
Kathryn McPherson, Marion Gray (James Cook UNiversity, AUS)), David Nicholls, Ahmed Al-Jumaily, Olaf Diegel,
Anthony Leicht (James Cook University, AUS), Justin Travers (MRINZ)
Funding: Health Research Council
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Bronchodilators alleviate some symptoms of airway obstruction, but reduced exercise tolerance and difficulty with activities of daily living are common. Devices to support respiratory effort are available but are expensive and not easily portable. Drawing on a case study of a patient with COPD, we found that mobility, exercise tolerance and oxygen saturation improved on independent assessment when using a (self initiated) domestic air compressor to assist. We have developed two small, affordable devices using Continuous Positive Airways Pressure and applied Positive End-Expiratory Pressure and in this study are evaluating the acceptability/utility of these devices in healthy volunteers and people with COPD. A cheap and portable device has the potential to give patients, currently housebound by exercise intolerance and cumbersome equipment, freedom to undertake community activity. If these devices prove effective, significant improvements in health and participation for people with COPD would result.
Contact: Alana McCambridge
Experiences of recovery and adaptation after disabling traumatic brain injury
Kathryn McPherson, Alice Theadom, William Levack, Joanna Fadyl, Matire Harwood,Nicola Kayes, Nicopla Starkey, Grant Christey, Valery Feigin
Funding: Health Research Council (HRC)
Project Manager: Laura Wilkinson Myers
This study aims to increase understanding of how Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) impacts on New Zealanders, in order to inform the development of more responsive, and therefore more effective health care services. This study will interview 50 individuals who have experienced a TBI and their whanau/family about the issues of most concern to them and the changing consequences of TBI over time. In addition, strategies that they and their whanau/family use to promote recovery and adaptation after TBI will be identified. Participants will be recruited from a large population study on TBI in Hamilton (the BIONIC Study). Findings will increase knowledge about the impact of TBI on New Zealanders and those close to them; maximise the value of the questionnaire data in the parent study and; extend the evidence base for improved interventions and support for people with TBI and their whanau/family.
Contact: Laura Wilkinson-Meyers
The Living Well as a disabled person project
Kathryn McPherson, Nicola Kayes,Suzie Mudge, Deborah Payne, Sarah Travalgia (PhysioACTION Limited), Richard Hoskin (PhysioACTION Limited), Julianne McEldowney (Disability Resource Centre), Brigit Frances Mirfin-Veitch (Donald Beasley Institute)
Funding: Health Research Council RFP
Despite numerous public health initiatives aimed at preventing obesity and related chronic diseases, many may be inappropriate or inaccessible for disabled people. This research aims to work in partnership with disabled people to identify key strategies for reducing the incidence and risk of obesity and associated chronic diseases for disabled people. Using focus groups and interviews, key barriers and facilitators to engaging in existing public health initiatives will be explored. Modifications to existing strategies will be suggested following the input and refinement from participants. The revised approaches should be more relevant, targeted and acceptable to disabled people and thus more effective for preventing obesity and other related chronic diseases.
Contact: Nicola Kayes / Suzie Mudge
Goals and self regulation skills in brain injury rehabilitation: an RCT
Kath McPherson, Will Taylor, Philip Schluter, Nicola Kayes, Will Levack, Suzanne Barker-Collo, Matire Harwood, Harry McNaughton, Valery Feigin, Mark Ylvisaker, Richard Siegert,
Funding: Health Research Council (HRC)
Research Coordinator: Nicola Kayes
Our objective is to determine effective strategies to improve goal related activity for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Goal setting is a key rehabilitation strategy for promoting recovery and adaption. However clinical practice is variable, outcomes uncertain, and both patients and professionals find the process frustrating. We recently completed an HRC funded feasibility study examining two novel approaches to goal setting which has led to this larger definitive trail. We are actively recruiting for this study.
Contact: Nicola Kayes
Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS IV)
Funding: Health Research Council
The Auckland Regional Community Stroke (ARCOS) IV; Measuring and Reducing the stroke burden in New Zealand, is a five year programme (2010-15) with five inter-linked objectives and three distinct study designs, providing a multi-perspective evidence-base to assess and reduce stroke burden in New Zealand. The study has been awarded funding by the Health Research Council, and is led by Professor Valery Feigin as the Principle Investigator, and Professor Kathryn McPherson and Dr Suzanne Barker-Collo as Co-Principle Investigators.
Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and a frequent cause of adult disability in developed countries. The aim of the ARCOS study is to measure and reduce stroke burden in New Zealand. This unique population-based approach will allow examination of trends in stroke incidence, prevalence and outcomes for a fourth decade (flowing on from previous ARCOS I, II and III studies); examination of effectiveness of primary and secondary prevention strategies adopted over the last 30 years; and to evaluate a novel, potentially widely applicable behavioural intervention to reduce stroke recurrence.
In addition, a third, qualitative component of the study lead by Professor Kathryn McPherson, will examine the long-term impact of stroke.
Contacts:Dr Rita Krishnamurthi or Melissa Girling, +64 (0) 921 9999 ext 7588
Testing a new measure of work-ability.
Kath McPherson, Joanna Fadyl, Lynne Turner-Stokes
Funding: ACC
Researcher: Joanna Fadyl
This proposed measure is designed to be an assessment tool and assist rehabilitation planning. Development and pilot testing phases have been completed. We are now beginning the third phase of the research which involves testing the inter-rater reliability of the measure.
Contact: Joanna Fadyl
New Zealand validation of the international QOLIBRI (Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury) measure for assessing the quality of life after brain injury
Applicants: Kath McPherson, Graeme Hawthorne, Robb Kydd, Christine Cummins
Funding: Philip Wrightson Centre of Excellence
Working in conjunction with Melbourne University, this study aims to contribute Australasian data towards testing a traumatic brain injury specific quality of life instrument; the QOLIBRI (Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury). Specifically it aims to explore the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the QOLIBRI in a New Zealand population. The study also aims to compare the QOLIBRI with other commonly used instruments in TBI outcomes research, to track how quality of life changes over the first 18 months rehabilitation post-TBI, to investigate predictors of good quality of life outcomes, and to report on costs associated with recovery from TBI.
Contact: Christine Cummins
Assessing therapeutic relationships in physiotherapy
Applicants: Kathryn McPherson, Nicola Kayes, Jessica Besley
Funding: AUT Contestable summer Studentship
The therapeutic relationship between a physiotherapist and their
patient is often discussed as an important part of therapy. However,
the measures that exist for investigating therapeutic relationships have
had very little testing in the physiotherapy setting. This research aimed
to test two measures of patient perceptions about the therapeutic
relationship to explore a) what patients and their physiotherapists think
about the applicability and usability of the questionnaires for
physiotherapy; b) whether these measures are reliable; c) whether
these measures are valid and d) explore the agreement between
patients perceptions and their clinicians regarding treatment progress.
This study has been completed and the results are being prepared for
publication.
Contact: Kathryn McPherson
Recently Completed Projects
Improving pre-pregnancy, maternity and early childcare health interventions and support for women experiencing disability.
Kath McPherson, Debbie Payne, Lynne Giddings, Ruth DeSousza, Dianne Roy, Cynthia Farquhar, Matire Harwood.
Funding: Health Research Council
Researcher Officer: Bernadette Guerin
This study aimd to identify the facilitators and barriers to pregnancy, birth and motherhood for women with physical disabilities or sensory impairments. Our team of researchers from AUT University, Unitec and the University of Auckland, explored, from a woman’s perspective the experiences of considering motherhood, the factors and people who influenced women’s decisions around whether or not to become a mother, and for those who decided to pursue motherhood; experiences during pregnancy, birth and early childcare. We also be interviewed health professionals involved in maternity, child care, and health and disability services, for their perspectives on working with women with disabilities who are considering pursuing, or have pursued motherhood. Findings are currently being prepared for publication. It is hoped that the findings from the study will directly improve wellbeing for New Zealand women with impairment and their families and inform future intervention research, professional education and policy.
Contact: Kathryn McPherson or Debbie Payne
ACC Literature Reviews
Applicants: Kath McPherson, Jo Fadyl, Nicola Kayes, Greta Smith
Funding: ACC
Co investigators include: Paula Kersten, Natasha Moloczij
Reviews of the literature exploring effective approaches to preventing unnecessary work disability in back pain and mild TBI, and of strategies to promote return to work after TBI and in groups experiencing chronic pain.
Contact: Kathryn McPherson
Stroke Survivor’s perspective of the barriers and facilitators to returning to work: A qualitative study
Christine Cummins, Heleen Blijlevens, Kath McPherson
Funding: AUT University
Returning to work after illness is important for personal and financial reasons. Many people of working age experience stroke however return to work rates for this group are low. This study aimed to identify what stroke survivors perceive as the barriers or facilitators impacting on their return to work choices. Data collection is complete and the findings are being prepared for presentation and publication.
Contact: Christine Cummins
Factors influencing the decision to seek employment or return to work after spinal cord injury
Joanna Fadyl, Kath McPherson, Nicola Kayes, Sridhar Atresh, Julian Verkaaik, Arron Perriam
Funding: AUT University
Researcher: Joanna Fadyl
This study explored the factors influencing people’s decisions to seek paid employment after spinal cord injury. Findings from this research were presented at the Australasian Spinal Cord Society conference in Christchurch in November 2008, and a community meeting at the Auckland Spinal Unit in December 2008.
Contact: Joanna Fadyl
Facilitating activity for well-being in people with Multiple Sclerosis
Applicants: Kathryn McPherson, Denise Taylor, Harry McNaughton, Nicola Kayes, Philip Schluter, Gregory Kolt
Funding: Health Research Council
Researcher: Nicola Kayes
This study, which was featured in the December 2007 issue of this newsletter, is now complete. The work, funded by the Health Research Council (HRC) aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to physical activity for people with MS and led to the development of a novel evidence-based, theoretically-driven intervention - The Facilitating Activity for well-Being (FAB) Programme which has since been piloted in a small sample of people with MS.
Contact: Nicola Kayes
Evaluation of a stroke service designed to increase community integration and participation for the chronic stroke survivor
Applicants: Kath McPherson, Rosie Parr, Sandie Alexander, Natasha Moloczij, Nicola Kayes
Funding: Laura Fergusson Trust
Researcher: Natasha Moloczij
This study has been completed and the results are being disseminated to stakeholders.
Contact: Kathryn McPherson
Quality of life and Quality of care for people who experience disability - Part I & II
Kathryn McPherson, Nicola Kayes, Kate Diesfeld, Philip Patston, Rex Billington, Will Taylor, Joanna Fadyl – in collaboration with the European WHOQoL-Dis group.
Funding: AUT Contestable Fund.
This project involved getting feed back on proposed Quality of Life (QoL) and Quality of Care (QoC) measures for people who experience disabilities. The first phase involved focus groups with specific populations to get a broad perspective about what contributed to their quality of life and what they considered important for quality of care. This information was compiled for contribution to the development of the proposed measures. The second phase of this project involved testing the proposed measures. These results were sent to the University of Edinburgh and included with results from 15 other countries.
Contact: Kath McPherson or Joanna Fadyl
PCRC contributions to other current/recently completed projects
BiONiC (Brain Injury Outcomes New Zealand In the Community) Traumatic brain injury burden in New Zealand: a population-based incidence and outcomes study
Principal Investigator: Valery Feigin (AUT)
Funding: Health Research Council
Enzogenol supplementation for improving cognitive function in post-TBI subjects: a pilot study
Principal Invertigator: Valery Feigin (AUT)
Exploring the effect of Mindfulness on sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
Principal investigator: Alice Theadom (AUT)
Exploring a personalised therapeutic exercise programme for women diagnosed with breast cancer
Principle investigator: Denise Taylor, HRRI (AUT)
Funding: AUT Contestable
A Personal Digital Assistant to Augment Goal Management Training
Principle investigator: Dr Judith Symmonds, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (AUT)
Funding: Health Research Council
Does Tai Chi improve strength and balance in people with Multiple Sclerosis
Principal investigator: Liz Binns, HRRI, (AUT)
Funding: AUT
Tai Chi and Falls Prevention
Principal investigator: Denise Taylor (lead at AUT), HRRI (AUT)
Funding: ACC
The role of allied health professionals in health promotion
Needle, Petchey, Scriven, Delvin, McPherson.
Funding: NHS-SDO
Improving stroke rehabilitation for Maori & Pacific people.
Principal investigator: Matire Harwood lead, MRINZ
Funding: Health Research Council
Evidence based reviews on epidemiology of work-related gradual process disorders: Development of an evidence base for the acceptance of claims
Principal Investigator: Mark Boocock , HRRI (AUT)
Funding: ACC
Research Studentships
Work and vocation after neurological injury: A discourse analysis
Joanna Fadyl, PhD (HRC Scholarship)
Supervisors: Kath McPherson and David Nicholls
Community participation for New Zealand children who have had a traumatic brain injury
Margaret Jones, PhD (HRC scholarship)
Supervisors: Kath McPherson, Clare Hocking
Strength for Task Training’ to optimise locomotor function following stroke: A pilot study
Nada Signal, PhD (HRC Scholarship)
Supervisors: Denise Taylor, Gwyn Lewis, Kath McPherson