Research

A person typing on a keyboard.
INMOTION 25 Sep, 2025

E-learning for hip and knee OA patients

A Seeding Grant recipient is in the final stages of her research project examining the use of e-learning for people with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.

Dr Rachel Nelligan APAM is a clinical physiotherapist and research fellow at the University of Melbourne with an interest in chronic pain. 

‘I was working mainly with people with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis [OA], which developed into a clinical interest.'

The image shows a physiotherapist with her hands on the back of a patient, who is sitting with their back to the camera.
INMOTION 24 Sep, 2025

Choosing wisely? ...or not

GUIDELINES Knowing that a particular course of treatment may not meet current guidelines for best practice high-value care doesn’t stop clinicians from using it, says a recently published study. Researcher Dr Priti Kharel talks about her results.

In recent years, a number of Australian and global clinical recommendations and guidelines for best practice have been developed and promoted for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain, knee osteoarthritis and whiplash. 

A woman with cancer is outside exercising
INMOTION 10 Sep, 2025

APASC25: exercise can increase cancer survival

Physiotherapy lecturer and researcher Dr Lara Edbrooke talks to Dr Vin Cavalheri about what to expect from his keynote presentation for the Cancer, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema stream at APASC25.

Can you share the main findings from your lung cancer research? 

The main findings of my research are that exercise is safe, feasible and beneficial across lung cancer stages (including early-stage, pre- or post-surgery and in advanced disease). 

A soccer player heads a ball during a soccer game.
INMOTION 10 Sep, 2025

APASC25: Prevention of sports-related head injuries: what can we learn from current research in football (soccer)?

Sports physiotherapist and researcher Dr Mark Scholes interviews keynote speaker Associate Professor Kerry Peek, a physiotherapist and medical researcher with FIFA Medical, about the prevention of sports-related head injuries.

In your work for FIFA, the world governing body of association football (soccer), what is your role and what are some of the main projects you are currently working on? 

A man stands up from his desk, clutching his back in pain.
INMOTION 10 Sep, 2025

APASC25: advances in pain

Pain physiotherapist and researcher Cameron Dickson asks keynote speaker Professor Jo Nijs some questions about persistent musculoskeletal pain.

In your view, what is the biggest challenge physiotherapists face in managing patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain? 

Translating evidence into clinical practice. 

the image is a drawing of a horse, showing the muscle and connective tissues under the skin
INMOTION 10 Sep, 2025

APASC25: a fascia-based approach

Chair of the Animal national group and scientific conference chair Lesley Goff poses some questions to keynote speaker and workshop presenter Alison Slater about fascia.

How might understanding the body as an interconnected system improve clinical outcomes? 

As undergraduates, most of us learned anatomy through disarticulated bones, muscles, their origins and insertions and the surrounding neurovascular structures. 

In the lab, carefully dissected prosections easily highlight these structures. 

A woman stands at the front of a room giving a presentation
INMOTION 01 Sep, 2025

APASC25 preview

The September issue of InMotion contains a pull-out supplement highlighting next month’s biennial APA scientific conference. APASC25, to be held in Adelaide, is shaping up to be yet another must-attend event.

The image is of someone breathing into a spirometer
INMOTION 29 Aug, 2025

APASC25: Better access to pulmonary rehab

The Journal of Physiotherapy Rob Herbert Oration, a firm fixture on the APA conference program, is delivered by someone who has made a significant contribution to physiotherapy through research, publication and teaching. Journal of Physiotherapy Editor Mark Elkins asks Professor Anne Holland, who will present this year’s oration, about new approaches to pulmonary rehabilitation.

The image is a stylised representation of brain networks.
INMOTION 29 Aug, 2025

APASC25: State of play for FND

Neurological physiotherapist and researcher Dr Tam Levy asks keynote speaker Dr Glenn Nielsen about current research into treatments and interventions for functional neurological disorder.

What are some common misconceptions about functional neurological disorder (FND)? 

Professor Lisa Harvey with a patient
INMOTION 27 Aug, 2025

Excellence in spinal cord injury care

AWARD Professor Lisa Harvey received the International Spinal Cord Society’s medal for excellence within the field in 2024 and has plenty more research on the horizon. Chloe Pigneguy reports.