Clinical Research Rehabilitation and Translation research

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Our research

Our research

We are focused on optimising evidence-based practice, by using effective translation frameworks. 

Examples of our work include:

  • Clinical trials
  • Evidence translation projects
  • Implementation projects
  • Capability building with partners in knowledge translation
  • Projects to improve health outcomes and quality of life

Ongoing projects

Impact of a screening vision assessment on effectiveness of an outpatient falls prevention clinic for patients at high risk of future falls

This project will assess whether health outcomes differ when a vision screening is included as part of the initial assessment, compared to when it is not in the UCH outpatient falls clinic. There is scope to compare outcomes with other sites e.g. at Community Centres and at the UC Health Hub.

Project contacts: Terry Ho, Mei Ying Boon, Faran Sabeti, Jennie Scarvell, Phil Gaughwin

This research is supported by UC FOH Seed Grant and UCH Private Practice Fund and is a joint project of UC and UC Hospital.

Enablement of a comprehensive Vision Assessment Referral, Investigation, and Support pathway (VA-RIS) in a rehabilitation setting: Translational study

This study aims to develop two in-reach optometry interventions to UC Hospital and to assess their impact on health outcomes, quality of life. An economic evaluation will also be undertaken. Co-design principles will be used to develop the interventions, vision impairment referral and investigation protocols for subacute hospital inpatient populations with either a diagnosis of stroke or fracture at UCH. Co-designers will include end users such as patients, consumers, optometry, UCH and TCH staff and stakeholders.

This research is supported by UC FOH Seed Grant and UCH Private Practice Fund and is a joint project of UC and UC Hospital.

Project contacts:  Mei Ying Boon, Terry Ho, Faran Sabeti, Jennie Scarvell, Phil Gaughwin, Mark Feltham, Vicki Evans, Tina Jong, Chi-Hung Kuo

Four Master of Optometry students are working on this project in 2024: Mona Al Sulaiman, Mitchell MacMillan, Zoe Greenstein, Dayna Rixon

Long COVID project

Project contacts: Bernie Bissett, Barb Bolton, Tanya Buettikofer

FIRM study: Fenofibrate in retinopathy management study

The project partners with a large GP practice in the Canberra region. The aim of the project is to better understand the gaps in the region in diabetic eye screening and the evaluation of a new model of care for patients with type 2 diabetes between their optometrist, pharmacist and general practitioner.

Project contacts: Faran Sabeti, Myra Leung, Mei-Ying Boon

SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) study

Injuries from vaccination occur rarely but are important to recognise and steps can be taken to mitigate these risks. 

Project contacts: Mary Bushell, Jaqi Bousie

Best Practice in Knee Osteoarthritis

This partnership project with Canberra Health Services and the Canberra Community, deals with the complex issue of orthopaedic elective surgery waiting times, and making sure people referred for knee osteoarthritis are receiving best practice in Allied Health interventions prior to considering surgery. 

This project is funded by a HCF Foundation Translation Grant.

Project contacts: Jennie Scarvell, Angie Fearon, Theo Niyonsenga, Nick Brown

Ramiekin: Clinical trial of alignment strategies in total knee replacement surgery

This project is a partnership with Trauma and Orthopaedic Research at Canberra Hospital. University of Canberra student Isobel Oon is recording the movement of participants completing activities .

This project is funded by Adler Orthopaedics Pty Ltd.

Project contacts: Wayne Spratford, Jennie Scarvell, Celeste Coltman

Improving vision using visual noise in the visually impaired

The biological principle of stochastic resonance is utilised to develop the optimal visual noise presented to the visual field of patients with vision loss from end-stage age-related macular degeneration. Our preliminary studies show a gain in visual acuity and we extend those results with follow-up studies optimising the stimulus and expanding disease presentations.

Project contacts: Jeroen van Boxtel, Michael Tran and Faran Sabeti

Short and medium-term impact of multifocal lenses on functional measures of balance and mobility

We investigate whether multifocal contact lenses affect core aspects of human mobility: the ability to keep balance, the ability and confidence of gait, and the ability to show accurate pursuit eye-movements in response to large scale visual field movements (often due to self-motion). We compare these aspects between a group of multifocal contact lens (DAILIES TOTAL1™ Multifocal) wearers and a group of multifocal spectacle wearers (Hoyalux MyStyle Stable progressive lens).

Project contacts: Jeroen van Boxtel, Jeremy Witchalls, Wayne Spradford, Gordon Waddington, Mark Feltham and Faran Sabeti

Publications

Title

Year                             
Evidence for key individual characteristics associated with outcomes following combined first-line interventions for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review 2023
Minimal important change and difference for knee osteoarthritis outcome measurement tools after non-surgical interventions: a systematic review 2023
Are kinematics an indicator of outcome after total knee arthroplasty? 2024
Healthcare practitioners knowledge of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) 2022
Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA): What do we know about its incidence and impact? 2022
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Is Real: A case report 2023
Consensus on the definition and descriptions of domains of the OMERACT core outcome set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials. 2024
OMERACT core outcome measurement set for shared decision in rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions: a scoping review to identify candidate instruments. 2024
Patient perspectives on outcome domains of medication adherence trials in inflammatory arthritis: An international OMERACT focus group study 2021
Patient and caregiver priorities for medication adherence in Gout, Osteoporosis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Nominal group technique 2020
Scope of outcomes in trials and observational studies of interventions targeting medication adherence in rheumatic conditions: A systematic review 2020
Healthcare costs following falls and cataract surgery in older adults using Australian linked health data from 2012-2019 2023
Awareness and attitudes towards telehealth in elderly south-east Asian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study 2023
Developing refractive management recommendations for patients undergoing cataract surgery: a Delphi study 2023
Clinical indicators for diabetic eyecare delivered by optometrists in Australia: a Delphi study 2023
Developing realistic benchmarks for glaucoma care delivery 2023
ICON 2020—International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: The development of a core outcome set for gluteal tendinopathy 2024
Association between age-related sensory impairment with sarcopenia and its related components in older adults: a systematic review 2022
Associations between age-related macular degeneration and sleep dysfunction: A systematic review 2022
Benchmarking glaucoma primary care delivery in Australia 2022
Clinical indicators for assessment of optometric diabetic eyecare in Australia 2022
Feasibility of implementing recommendations to reduce fall risk in older people: A Delphi Study 2022
Identifying the content for an item bank and computerized adaptive testing system to measure the impact of age-related macular degeneration on health-related quality of life 2022
Level of appropriate primary diabetic eyecare delivered and achievable in optometry practices in Australia 2022
Multiple things going on at the same time: determinants of appropriate primary diabetic eyecare delivery 2022
Prevalence, associated factors and health-related quality of life of dual sensory impairment in residential care facilities in Singapore 2022
The appropriateness of and barriers to glaucoma care delivery by Australian optometrists 2022
The incidence of falls is lowest after second eye cataract surgery: a longitudinal cohort study 2022
The longitudinal psychological, physical activity, and financial impact of a COVID-19 lockdown on older adults in Singapore: The PIONEER-COVID population-based study 2022
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Contact us

We are happy to share our research and are keen to work with others who have an interest in improving our health – whether organisations, researchers or community members.

Get in touch at ucclinicalresearch@canberra.edu.au or visit Our people to connect.

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