Allied Health team secure research funding

Staff from the Allied Health Research Unit are set to launch a new study project at Baskent University, Turkey.

Professor James Selfe and Dr Jessie Janssen have already conducted a UK study into the various different kinds of Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) which is a type of knee pain.

It is currently unclear what precise mechanisms cause discomfort in the knee, with recent research suggesting there are many different types of knee cap problems.

Their work with physiotherapy clinics to explore what combination of tests and questions can help to differentiate between different types of pain will help the researchers to develop better and more specific treatment.

Through £1,600 of Erasmus funding, Professor Selfe and Dr Janssen will train a team of physiotherapists in Turkey to carry out an intervention study to build on their existing UK project.

Professor Selfe said: "Our work in Turkey will allow us to assess outcome in subgroups of PFP patients and build on our previous UK-based feasibility study, where we were able to identify three separate sub-groups of patients who may require different types of treatment to each other."

In the last decade, musculoskeletal disorders have increased to become the greatest cause of disability among EU member states and are the second greatest cause of disability worldwide. PFP is a specific musculoskeletal disorder that can cause significant pain leading to limitations in societal participation and physical activity and is a condition commonly referred for physiotherapy.

It's anticipated the study will take around 18 months to complete, with results being published in 2016 or 2017.

Students help rugby team prepare for internationals

UCLan PaST students have been helping the Tongan Rugby Union team prepare for the forthcoming Autumn Internationals.

The squad spent three days at UCLan Sports Arena using its rugby pitches and strength and conditioning suite as part of a rigorous training schedule before facing Georgia on Saturday, 8 November.

The players took advantage of our Physiotherapy Clinic for sports massage treatment from our second and third year Sports Therapy students.

Tonga Head Coach Mana Otai commented: "Training is going really well and we're all feeling very positive. This is our first visit to Preston and the whole squad has been made to feel really welcome.

"We're very impressed with the facilities here at UCLan Sports Arena and will make the most of them as we prepare for our first Autumn International match next week."

If the three day training camp is a success Tonga will consider using UCLan as a base for next year's Rugby Union World Cup. It follows a series of other high profile international sports team visits when both the Irish and Fijian Rugby League teams used UCLan Sports Arena as a base camp during the Rugby League World Cup 2013.

UCLan also hosted several Olympic athletes from Oceania, including Tonga, as they prepared for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Bryan Jones from UCLan's Institute of Coaching and Performance said: "Tonga's visit is a legacy of the work we did with several Oceania countries in the build up to London 2012. Since then we've worked hard to develop this relationship and it’s fantastic that we're now able to host yet another international rugby team right here on campus.

"It's a great opportunity for students to see and work with professionals and hopefully we will welcome the squad again next year as they prepare for the World Cup."

In addition to the Georgia game, Tonga play the USA on Saturday, 15 November and Scotland on Saturday, 22 November.

Division presents research at Physiotherapy event

UCLan PaST staff, graduates and current students were out in force at a regional Physiotherapy Network Study event last weekend.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) hosted event at Chorley & South Ribble District General Hospital, Chorley, featured research presentations from Professor James Selfe and Dr Steven Lindley.

Dr Alison Chambers, former Dean of Academic Development and Employability at UCLan, also presented work conducted during her time in Preston, whilst UCLan was acknowledged in numerous other presentations.

UCLan PaST's Sara Fisher commented: "It was a very informative conference with a wide variety of speakers. There was plenty of interest around our stand for our CPD days and courses. It was an extremely successful day."

For more information about The CSP please click here.

Physio Clinic welcomes new team member

Verity Scholes' persistence during her time as a Sports Therapy undergraduate has paid off, as she becomes the newest member of the UCLan Physio Clinic team.

During her time as a student, Verity worked alongside many of the UCLan Sport teams and also completed two years of work experience at Fylde Rugby Club. She also enhanced her CV with a placement at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

We advise all our students to gain as much practical experience as possible during their course, and Verity is a great example of someone who embraced this idea.

She said: "Between my second and third year at UCLan I travelled to New Zealand where I undertook a six week voluntary internship. I worked closely with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Specialist Teachers in the treatment and management of students aged 14-21, all with a variety of disabilities.

"This involved rehabilitation, massage and setting and adapting individual treatment plans, hydrotherapy and riding therapy. A wide range of communication techniques were also needed in order to communicate with the students due to varying levels of disabilities."

Verity also attended the London 2012 Olympics as a Medical Volunteer Games Maker. Based at the Olympic Park Common Domain she worked as a First Responder to members of the public, staff and athletes.

"My work included the main athletics arena, basketball dome and velodrome. Over the three weeks spent there I covered a wide variety of injuries and other medical requirements.

"I've also gained experience at Headley Court, Surrey. Here I worked alongside the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation teams as part of the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit (DMRU).

"I assisted amputee soldiers in their rehabilitation and physical therapy interventions in order to progress them onto the use of prosthetics, where appropriate. I completed a large amount of Hydrotherapy throughout my time there.

"I've since been back to support Headley Court's 'Team True Spirit' through UK Ironman and continue to have a good relationship with them, offering support at various sporting events.

Since graduating and becoming a member of the Society of Sports Therapists, Verity has worked as a member of the medical team at Wharfedale Rugby Union Club, and also treated clients on a private basis, both mobile and clinic based.

Through building a strong work relationship with the management of Reebok Crossfit Spectrum, Preston, Verity has been able to set up a clinic room there and continues to use the gym as a rehabilitation base.

UCLan PaST would like to congratulate Verity on her appointment to the Physio Clinic team.

Physiotherapy trio support kids charity holiday

Kelly, Mandy & Andy

UCLan PaST Lecturer Mandy Dunbar is heading to Florida as part of a charity holiday for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Mandy will accompany third year students Andy Horn and Kelly Dixon to the USA, as they support the children during their once-in-a-lifetime trip.

They will join two other Physiotherapists and ten nursing students from Universities across the North West.

The trio have spent the past few weeks undertaking training for the trip, meeting the children and their families and attended a number of planning events and discussions.

Mandy said: "The children we're supporting have lives which are usually defined by and dominated by their condition. Not this week! We are there to help that fade away.

"We're going to be treating the conditions and making sure the children remain well, but that's just so we can focus on the fun part. I'm really looking forward to seeing the children blossom.

"Just meeting someone else in the same position as you and has the same condition can be such a relief. Imagine doing that with Mickey Mouse looking over your shoulder!"

The holiday has been organised by the Destination Florida charity, and includes visits to five theme parks in seven days. Approximately 80 children will make the trip, with nearly 200 support staff alongside them.

Andy commented: "I can't wait to help the kids BE kids for a week, forget about their worries and focus on being children rather than sick children."

Kelly, who also volunteers with a group providing sporting activities for children with disabilities, added: "The children get so much from it. I wanted to see that on a bigger scale and see what could be achieved over the course of a week. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and gain confidence too."

For more details about Destination Florida please click here.

Biomechanics Professor joins Science Festival

Professor Jim Richards is set to showcase his work at the prestigious Manchester Science Festival.

Professor Richards will discuss how biomechanics can be used to develop and assess sport and sports rehabilitation equipment in order to get injured athletes up and running again.

He will also demonstrate how scientists are working with the manufacturers of specialist rehabilitation equipment to conduct independent biomechanical and clinical testing to scientifically test manufacturers' product claims and to develop new and better kit.

The event takes place at Manchester Metropolitan University on Thursday, 23 October, 6.30 - 8pm. For more information please click here.

Scandinavian invite for UCLan PaST Professor

Professor James Selfe will be a keynote speaker at a prestigious anniversary seminar in Finland during October.

The physiotherapy team at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Pori, have invited Professor Selfe to present at their event which will celebrate 20 years of English language physiotherapy education at SAMK.

The programme is the only one of its kind in Scandinavia and was set up in 1994 to address the large number of graduates who left Finland to work in English speaking countries. Professor Selfe is the only native English speaker to teach on the programme each year it has run.

His teaching has focused on Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, in particular his specialist area of Patellofemoral Dysfunction (knee cap problems) and Spinal Mobilisation techniques. In conjunction with colleagues from SAMK, Professor Selfe has also conducted collaborative research and had numerous peer-reviewed papers published.

The event takes place on Monday, 13 October.