School of Allied Health
Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/10495
The School of Allied Health encompasses Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy, and Rehabilitation.
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Item An Overview of Australian Podiatry Research: A Bibliometric Review(Wiley, 2026-02-14) Tehan, Peta; Azhar, Ameer Nor; Banwell, Helen; Bergin, Shan; Charles, James; Hawke, Fiona; Ho, Malia; Hurn, Sheree; Kaminski, Michelle; Lim, Polly; Martin, Saraid; Menz, Hylton B; Osborne, John; Peterson, Benjamin; Samaras, Dean; Williams, Cylie; Carroll, Matthew RBackground Podiatrists are the primary health professionals associated with assessment, diagnosis and management of lower limb problems. Research is critical in informing evidence‐based practice. As part of a national research priorities project, this bibliometric review aimed to map all Australian podiatry‐relevant research from 1970 to 2024 and explore volume over time, authors, institutions, level of evidence, funding sources and categories of research. Methods Podiatry‐relevant research was categorised into 10 streams: dermatology, diabetes‐related foot disease, gerontology, musculoskeletal and sports, paediatrics, rheumatology, surgery, workforce and education, First Nations foot health and neurological and vascular disease. A systematic search of the literature was conducted in each stream up until December 2024. Meta‐data from Scopus were analysed in Biblioshiny, where publications volume, authors, institutions, journals and collaborations were described. Each publication was also categorised for level of evidence using the National Health and Medical Research Council criteria, research type using the United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration Health Research Classification System and funding source using Higher Education Research Data Collection specifications. Results A total of 1641 publications were included across all research streams. Steady increases in publication volume occurred over the past 20 years, with diabetes‐related foot disease yielding the highest volume ( n = 335), followed by musculoskeletal ( n = 308) and paediatrics ( n = 280). Musculoskeletal and sports research demonstrated the highest proportion of level I evidence (22%), whereas most streams were dominated by level IV evidence. The majority of research across all streams received no funding support, ranging from 32% unfunded in First Nations foot health research to 87% in surgical research. Rheumatology achieved the highest proportion of competitive funding (47% Category 1). The most frequent research categories were aetiology, detection and screening and evaluation of treatments. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research was the most frequent publication source, with 140 (8%) of total publications. Conclusion Australian podiatry‐relevant research has grown substantially, particularly over the past 2 decades. However, significant disparities exist in volume, evidence quality and funding across different streams, with most research conducted without external funding support, highlighting the need for strategic investment to enhance evidence generation in key areas of podiatry practice.Item CPR Training Needs Reviving in Aotearoa New Zealand [Letter](Pasifika Medical Association Group, 2026-02-13) Harvey, Daniel; Webber, Jonathon; O'Brien, DanielItem Responses to Manual Handling Training and Repetitive Lifting: Changes in Spinal Compression and Shear Forces(AHFE International, 2025-12-01) Boocock, Mark; Panassollo, Tone; Mawston, GrantManual handling (MH) is a leading cause of work-related ill-health, resulting in substantial personal and financial costs. Despite the lack of evidence to support the benefits of MH training, this remains an intervention strategy for many workplaces. Understanding reasons why MH training may be ineffective needs to be understood if work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are to be addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prior MH training on spinal loading over the course of a repetitive handling task. Twelve male adults (mean age = 30 yr; mean body weight = 70 Kg) considered novices in repetitive MH, participated in the study. Participants attended two sessions during which they repetitively lifted (10 lifts/min) and lowered a box (13 kg) for up to 20 mins. No instructions about lifting technique were provided prior to session 1, whereas session 2 was preceded by training in recommended 'safe lifting'. Three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis and ground reaction forces provided input into a musculoskeletal model (AnyBody Technology, Denmark), used to estimate spinal loading (L5/S1 compression and shear forces). A repeated measure ANOVA (3*2) was used to determine the main effects of time (0, 10 and 20 min) and training (self-selected vs MH training) on spinal loading. A significant main effect was found for MH training on peak compression and shear forces (p=0.028 and p=0.024, respectively) when lifting, with higher peak forces in session 2 following the MH training session compared to session 1, a self-selected technique (3.29 KN vs 3.14 KN and 1.93KN vs 1.84 KN, respectively). Repetitive lifting led to decreases in cumulative compression and shear forces and increases in the slope of these curves (rate of change of loading) over time when lifting. MH training targeting ‘safe lifting’ appears to increase the risk of back injury and may discourage some individuals from adopting recommended handling practices. MH training should consider the wider context of work, challenge individuals to be adaptative to work situations, be job and task-specific, and be based on a sound andragogical rationale.Item Australian Podiatry Research in Rheumatology: A Bibliometric Analysis(Wiley, 2026-02-02) Bergin, Shan M; Lim, Polly QX; Menz, Hylton B; Tehan, Peta E; Carroll, Matthew RBACKGROUND: To conduct a bibliographic analysis of English language foot and ankle research pertaining to rheumatology published by Australian authors. METHODS: The Scopus database search was conducted to identify all Australian rheumatology articles published by podiatric authors in English from 1970 to 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using an open-source tool based on the R language. Citations, journals, authors, institutions and countries were described. Publications were manually categorised according to research type, level of evidence and funding source. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 89 eligible articles, which received a total of 2438 citations and were published by 200 authors. The most frequent journals were Arthritis Care & Research and Osteoarthritis and Cartilage each with 9 articles or 10% of total publications. The most published institution was La Trobe University (affiliation of 151 authors). Most of the Australian rheumatology articles focused on the evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions (n = 35; 39%) and 11 articles (12%) provided Level I evidence. Forty-two publications (47%) were supported by Category 1 funding, however, 29 (33%) reported no research funding. CONCLUSION: Rheumatology represents just 5% of Australian podiatry research. Despite this, it attracts high citation rates relative to number of publications and is well supported by Category 1 funding in comparison to other research fields. Funding sources outside of competitive Category 1 grants appear to be limited however, and research scope is narrow with a high number of evaluative studies conducted. Rheumatology research would benefit from an increase in available funding sources and a broader research scope that informs disease prevention and evidence-based clinical care.Item The Accuracy, Validity and Reliability of Theia3D Markerless Motion Capture for Studying the Biomechanics of Human Movement: A Systematic Review(Elsevier BV, 2025-12-04) Varcin, F; Boocock, MGRecent advancements in computer vision recognition combined with the use of pose estimation algorithms has led to a rapid increase in the use of 3D video-based markerless (ML) motion capture to study human movement. One such prominent system is Theia3D. To determine the accuracy, validity, and reliability of Theia3D, a systematic literature review was conducted across five electronic databases using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Studies were included if they investigated the accuracy, validity, or reliability of Theia3D against a standardised method and reported on at least one biomechanical measure. A modified version of COSMIN (Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments) and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) were used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, the majority of which assessed the validity of kinematics during gait or running. Pooled lower limb kinematics showed reasonable accuracy, whilst hip flexion/extension and rotations of the lower limb joints in the transverse plane suggests poor accuracy. Most spatiotemporal gait parameters measured using Theia3D demonstrated excellent validity (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.9) and inter-session reliability (gait speed, Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) ≤ 0.07 m/s; step/stride length, SEM ≤ 0.06 m; ICC > 0.95). The accuracy, validity, and reliability of Theia3D used in the biomechanical analysis of functional tasks and in different population groups shows promise. However, there is a need for improved methods by which to compare data and a standardisation of biomechanical modelling approaches.Item Hypermethylation of OPRM1: Deregulation of the Endogenous Opioid Pathway in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia(MDPI AG, 2026-01-14) Wyns, Arne; Hendrix, Jolien; Van Campenhout, Jente; Buntinx, Yanthe; Xiong, Huan-Yu; De Bruyne, Elke; Godderis, Lode; Nijs, Jo; Rice, David; Chiang, Daniel; Polli, AndreaMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are debilitating disorders with overlapping symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. Dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system, particularly µ-opioid receptor function, may contribute to their pathophysiology. This study examined whether epigenetic modifications, specifically µ-opioid receptor 1 gene (OPRM1) promoter methylation, play a role in this dysfunction. Using a repeated-measures design, 28 ME/CFS/FM patients and 26 matched healthy controls visited the hospital twice within four days. Assessments included blood sampling for epigenetic analysis, a clinical questionnaire battery, and quantitative sensory testing (QST). Global DNA (hydroxy)methylation was quantified via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and targeted pyrosequencing was performed on promoter regions of OPRM1, COMT, and BDNF. ME/CFS/FM patients reported significantly worse symptom outcomes. No differences in global (hydroxy)methylation were found. Patients showed significantly higher OPRM1 promoter methylation, which remained after adjusting for symptom severity and QST findings. Across timepoints, OPRM1 methylation consistently correlated with BDNF Promoter I and Exon III methylation. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study examining OPRM1 methylation in ME/CFS/FM. Increased OPRM1 methylation in patients, independent of symptoms or pain sensitivity measures, supports the hypothesis of dysregulated opioidergic signaling in these conditions.Item The Effects of Unilateral Nostril Breathing on Brain Functional Network Activity: A Pilot Study(BMC, 2025-12-15) White, David E; Ghani, Usman; Pedersen, Mangor; Thoma, Christian; Essex, Christi; Shepherd, Daniel; Burns, Georgina; Waterstone, Toby S; Roos, KLT; Taylor, Denise; Niazi, Imran KBACKGROUND: Unilateral nostril breathing (UNB) has a history linked to ancient yogic traditions where it is believed to affect both physical and mental states however the mechanism(s) by which this technique potentially influences brain electrical activity remains poorly explored. METHODS: In this pilot study we investigated the influence of pressurised device-regulated UNB on brain functional network activity in healthy awake individuals to test its suitability for later use in hypothesis-driven clinical trials. Baseline bilateral EEG data were acquired, and then dominant/nondominant nostril UNB protocols were used to assess changes in brain network functional connectivity signal coherence, and phase lag index. RESULTS: Changes in functional connectivity were detected only when comparing right to left UNB, with the following networks demonstrating changes: the Default Mode Network which included reduced alpha and increased beta wave activity; the Salience Network, which included increased gamma wave activity; the Auditory Network, which included increased gamma and delta wave activity; and the Left Brain Region, which included reduced delta wave activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that device-regulated pressurised left/right UNB changed brain FC in awake healthy individuals in several brain networks. Nasal cycle dominance was found to play no role in UNB influencing brain FC; rather, nasal morphology (left/right side) seems to be the controlling factor. Further investigations are needed to verify our results and apply them to clinical populations.Item Longitudinal, Multi-cycle Evaluation of Passive Function Improvement in People With Arm Spasticity Treated With Botulinum Toxin A(MDPI AG, 2026-01-19) Ashford, Stephen A; Buchwald, Khan; Fheodoroff, Klemens; Jacinto, Jorge; Narayanan, Ajit; Siegert, Richard J; Hannes, Christian; Turner-Stokes, LynneImprovement in passive function (i.e., ease of caring for a limb) is a common goal for treatment of spasticity in the arm with botulinum toxin. A large international, observational, 2-year longitudinal study (ULIS-III, N = 953) was conducted in real-life practice. This original secondary analysis examines whether improvement in passive function goals were met over repeated injection cycles. We report changes by cycle measured by the Passive Function sub-scale of the Arm Activity measure (ArmA-PF) and examine predictors of improvement and injection occurrence. Inclusion in this analysis was based on passive function being selected as a primary or secondary goal for one or more cycle of treatment (n = 542/953). Goals were assessed at the start and end of each cycle using the Goal Attainment Test score and the ArmA-PF. Over all cycles of treatment, goals were set for 1641/2187 injections (75.0%) and achieved in 1250 (76.2%). Significant improvements in ArmA-PF score were identified for at least six cycles (p < 0.001) with evidence of cumulative benefit over successive cycles. This occurred regardless of patient-related baseline characteristics, with the possible exception of some relationship with injection localization techniques. In conclusion, repeated botulinum toxin injections provide significant improvement in passive function, which was sustained over repeated cycles of treatment.Item Experiences of New Zealand Podiatrists Providing Podiatry Care to People With Foot Osteoarthritis(Wiley, 2025-12-17) Molyneux, P; Ma, M; Bowen, C; Ellis, RF; Rome, K; Carroll, MRBackground: Current care provided by health professionals for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) is inconsistent with clinical guideline recommendations. Although OA guidelines have been developed for more commonly studied joints such as the knee and hip, foot OA remains comparatively underrepresented. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on functional ability, foot OA lacks standardised classification criteria. The absence of clinical guidelines for foot OA underscores its importance as a research priority. Understanding current assessment and management strategies is crucial before designing clinical trials. This study aims to assess New Zealand (NZ) podiatrists' knowledge of foot OA, their assessment practices and their management strategies. Although foot OA is both highly prevalent and functionally disabling, the absence of standardised classification criteria persists. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed for data collection and analysis. Using purposive sampling, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 NZ registered podiatrists. An interview schedule guided discussions on diagnosing and managing foot OA. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key meanings and patterns within the data. Results: Five key themes were derived regarding the assessment of foot OA: (1) chief complaint versus incidental finding; (2) obtaining patient history through subjective interviews; (3) targeted objective assessments for foot OA; (4) determining individual biomechanical factors and (5) further investigations. Five themes were identified relating to the management of foot OA: (1) knowledge and language used to provide education about OA; (2) clinical uncertainty necessitates an iterative approach; (3) podiatry administered treatments; (4) referral pathways to other health professionals and (5) management influences. Conclusion: New Zealand podiatrists utilise a comprehensive diagnostic approach, integrating symptom history, joint mobility assessment and radiographic imaging particularly in the absence of formal diagnostic criteria. Management strategies align with international guidelines, emphasising education, exercise and weight management alongside podiatrist-led interventions such as foot orthoses and footwear modifications. However, the study highlights several challenges: limited evidence-based guidance, uncertainty around optimal orthotic strategies and a disconnect between evolving OA knowledge and its application into clinical practice.Item Power Dynamics of Knowledge in Physiotherapy Education: The Case of Mensendieck(University of Manitoba, 2025-08-29) Dahl Michelsen, Tone; Nicholls, David; Messel, Jan; Synne Groven, KarenOver the years, various theorized movement systems have impacted the development of physiotherapy. In Norway, Mensendieck developed into an otherwise physiotherapy program. The existence of the Mensendieck program has been debated ever since its inception, but it managed to survive for decades, until 2019, when the program no longer was offered as a standalone option. In the Mensendieck program, personal experience combined with guiding movement was essential. Students were trained to perform exercises in the Mensendieck system and leading their own movement group was part of their physiotherapist training. The learning process was organized in a hermeneutic manner through the learning principle of spiral wherein learners revisit earlier learning over time. In higher education healthcare programs, the evidence-based practice model (EBPM) has become paramount in recent decades and the curricula are expected to be designed accordingly. In this chapter, we explore the emphasized knowledge in the Mensendieck program in relation to the power dynamics of knowledge embedded in the EBPM. Through a Foucauldian lens, we show how Mensendieck embodied an “otherwise” form of physiotherapy that needed to be marginalised within conventional physiotherapy thinking to maintain existing power/knowledge structures, professional subjectivities, and practice truths.Item The Possibilities for a Post-Human Physical Therapy(University of Manitoba, 2025-08-29) Nicholls, David; Low, Matthew; Maric, FilipThis chapter offers a radically revised concept of therapy. Therapy is a concept that lies at the heart of what it means to be a physiotherapist, so it seems surprising that the profession has never defined what the therapy in its name actually means. In recent years, physiotherapists have been looking for new ways to express an expanded idea of their profession, but these have concentrated on more humanistic forms of practice. Here we take a different, post-human approach, understanding therapy as a universal process common to all entities. We begin by critiquing the paradoxes and inconsistencies evident in physiotherapy’s present understanding of therapy and then contrast this with an approach drawn from the writings of Gilles Deleuze. We conclude that therapy is a much more inclusive and complex phenomenon than the profession has previously understood, and suggest it has the potential to radically transform the physical therapies in the futureItem Escalated Care Pathways: A Retrospective Review of Patient-specific Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury(New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists Inc, 2025-12-19) Collett, Joel; Reid, Duncan; Harvey, Daniel; Potts, GeoffDue to increasing rehabilitation costs associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, the Accident Compensation Corporation instigated an innovative pilot scheme, the escalated care pathway (ECP). Introduced in 2019, ECPs were designed to improve patient outcomes through timely assessment and interdisciplinary treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify patient-reported outcome measures, functional measures, and treatment volumes for patients enrolled in one of the ECP pilots following ACL injury. Data including the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), limb symmetry index (LSI), demographic information, number of physiotherapy visits, and overall treatment duration were extracted from the Careway ECP database for patients who completed the programme between 2020 and 2023. Data from 750 patients, surgical (n = 332 (43%); M (SD) age 33.1 (13.1) years) and non-surgical (n = 418, (55.7%); M (SD) age of 35.8 (15.1) years), were analysed. Mean (SD) treatment duration was significantly longer in the surgical (317.2 (141.5) days) vs non-surgical group (285.8 (156.0) days) (p < 0.01). Surgical patients had more physiotherapy visits (25.4 (19.6) vs 13.2 (15.3), p < 0.01). The KOOS improved in both groups; however, the M (SD) change scores between groups (surgical (29.1 (20.0); non-surgical (25.8 (18.4)) were not statistically significant (p = 0.052). Mean (SD) LSI increased from baseline to exit from the programme (surgical 72.3 (26.8) to 100.8 (29.7); non-surgical 77.1 (36.3) to 104.7 (33.3)) (p = 0.055). These findings provide insight for physiotherapists managing ACL injury and demonstrate that surgical and non-surgical patients achieve positive outcomes through the ECP.Item Communication as a Dynamic Dance: Physiotherapy Clinical Educators’ Conceptualisations of Effective Communication in Final Year Physiotherapy Students in New Zealand(Physiotherapy New Zealand, 2025-12-12) Wilson, Carolyn; Bright, Felicity; Mooney, SarahEffective communication between the physiotherapist and patient is fundamental to physiotherapy practice. In Aotearoa New Zealand, students must demonstrate “effective communication” to become registered, yet it is unclear what constitutes effective communication. Nor is it clear how clinical educators, who assess students’ communication, conceptualise effective communication. This lack of clarity may have implications for how students’ competency is supported and assessed. This research explores how clinical educators conceptualise effective communication in final year physiotherapy students in musculoskeletal clinical settings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Guided by Interpretive Description, data were gathered from physiotherapy clinical educators using two data sources: written reflections from watching a pre-recorded student-patient interaction, and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis of data from seven clinical educators suggested effective communication to be a dynamic dance, featuring continuous interplay between the physiotherapy student and patient. This primary theme had three subthemes each highlighting a distinct feature of communication: 1) Adapting communication moves in response to patients; 2) Control of the interaction; and 3) Building rapport with patients. Findings indicate communication skill development is complex and evolves over the course of one’s professional life. Skill development is also embedded within broader understandings of the role and function of the physiotherapist and, accordingly, supporting students to develop communication competencies requires further attention from educators and researchers alike.Item Unique RNA Gene Expression Profile Is Seen in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain(MDPI AG, 2025-12-27) Sannes, Ann-Christin; Amjad, Imran; Duehr, Jenna; Ghani, Usman; Rice, David; Haavik, Heidi; Niazi, Imran Khan; Moberget, Torgeir; Gjerstad, JohannesPrevious reports suggest that the progression from subacute to chronic non-specific low back pain (nsLBP) involves functional changes in both the nervous and immune systems. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the gene expression profiles of circulating immune cells that affect the interaction between these two systems when subacute nsLBP turns into chronic nsLBP. Participants aged 18–55 were included based on the presence or duration of LBP, with peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected for RNA sequencing from 20 healthy controls (no nsLBP), 20 subclinical patients (intermittent nsLBP), and 19 chronic patients (long-term nsLBP). The data revealed that chronic nsLBP is linked to a distinct gene expression profile, with 139 uniquely differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differing from those in the subclinical and control groups. Interestingly, comparing chronic and subclinical groups showed minimal overlap in DEGs, indicating a clear inflammatory distinction between subclinical nsLBP and chronic nsLBP. The findings also indicated that patients with chronic nsLBP were different from other individuals regarding axon guidance, indicating neuroplastic changes when intermittent nsLBP turns into chronic nsLBP. Hence, early recognition of the transition from subclinical to chronic nsLBP using RNA profiling may pave the way for more precise therapeutic strategies targeting neuroplastic changes and inflammatory processes.Item “Within Their Spaces, Within Their Context”: Māori Therapists’ Perspectives of Robotic Technology in Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation(New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists Inc, 2025-07-09) Boardsworth, Kate; Barlow, Rhiannon; Wilson, Tammi; Wilson, Bobbie-Jo; Olsen, Sharon; Shrestha, Robin; Signal, NadaUpper limb impairment following stroke is common, contributing to restrictions in functional capacity and reduced quality of life. Robotic devices are being developed to augment rehabilitation and support upper limb recovery. However, a lack of end-user input has resulted in devices that fail to fully meet therapist and patient needs. In Aotearoa New Zealand, involving Māori (Indigenous) rehabilitation therapists is essential for developing culturally responsive devices and interventions. This qualitative study utilised a Māori-centred approach underpinned by Kaupapa Māori (Indigenous research) principles to explore the requirements for effective upper limb robotic rehabilitation with Māori following stroke. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Māori stroke rehabilitation therapists to explore their perspectives. Five interconnected themes were interpreted through thematic analysis. Inequities imposed by The system (Theme 1) and burden from The stroke (Theme 2) profoundly impact Māori people’s experiences of rehabilitation and recovery, requiring devices that avoid perpetuating or exacerbating these challenges. Hononga (Joining and connection) (Theme 3) highlights how robotic devices could support connections to Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview), whānau (family and communities), and meaningful activities. Whanaungatanga (Relationships) (Theme 4), emphasised the importance of building trusting relationships between therapists, patients, and whānau. Therapists can uphold Tino rangatiratanga (Self-determination) (Theme 5) by supporting Māori patients and whānau to have control over their rehabilitation. The participants’ clinical and cultural expertise provided valuable insights for advancing robotic device design and implementation, emphasising the importance of inclusive approaches that address the diverse needs of Māori and promote culturally responsive rehabilitation technology.Item Current Perspectives of New Zealand Physiotherapists on Rehabilitation and Return to Sport Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Survey(Elsevier, 2021-12-21) Fausett, WA; Reid, DA; Larmer, PJObjective: To investigate the clinical beliefs and practices of New Zealand physiotherapists regarding pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation and return to sport (RTS) criteria following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design: Online cross-sectional survey. Methods: A survey was adapted from a previously published survey and disseminated to New Zealand physiotherapists who were considered more likely to be involved in post-ACLR rehabilitation. Results: The number of completed surveys was 318. Most physiotherapists (85%) preferred to first consult patients within 14 days of ACLR. In the first six weeks following ACLR, 89% of physiotherapists see patients at least once per week. Between 3- and 6-months post-ACLR, 76% of physiotherapists see patients at least once a fortnight. Pre-operative rehabilitation and post-operative rehabilitation exceeding six months are considered essential or important to patient outcomes by over 95% of physiotherapists. While 63% of physiotherapists support RTS 9–12 months after ACLR, 11% permit RTS within 6–9 months of surgery. Common RTS considerations include functional capacity, movement quality during functional tasks, time from ACLR, and knee strength. Conclusion: The survey revealed variability in the beliefs and practices of NZ physiotherapists regarding post-ACLR rehabilitation, and these beliefs and practices are at times inconsistent with best practice recommendations.Item Towards a Multidisciplinary Approach in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Opportunities of Non-Surgical Clinicians in Assessment and Management(Elsevier, 2025-12-03) Paus, Annalena; Chauhan, Rohil V; Anderson, David AItem Is Your Ethnicity Data Up to Standard?(Physiotherapy New Zealand, 2025-12-12) McCambridge, Alana BItem Patient Acceptance of Knee Symptoms and Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Improves With Physiotherapy Treatment(Physiotherapy New Zealand, 2023-03-29) Fausett, Wayne; Reid, Duncan; Larmer, Peter; Garrett, NickPhysiotherapy is considered an important component of rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The relationship between physiotherapy treatment and patient-reported outcomes following ACLR in New Zealand (NZ) is not clear. We used repeated measures logistic regression to examine the relationship between patient-reported outcome data from the NZ ACL Registry and physiotherapy treatment data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Outcome measures utilised were the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) on the Knee Injury Osteoarthritis and Outcome Score (KOOS4) and a normative score on the Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS) within 24 months of ACLR. Data from 5,345 individuals were included in the final analysis, with a mean (SD) of 11.7 (10.5) (range 0–91) physiotherapy treatments received, over an average (SD) of 185 (153) (range 0–725) days, in the two years following ACLR. Physiotherapy treatment post-ACLR increased the likelihood of achieving a KOOS4 PASS score at 6 and 12 months, but not at 24 months, following surgery. Physiotherapy did not increase the likelihood of achieving a normative MARS score in the 24 months after ACLR. Multiple factors likely contribute to people who have had an ACLR in NZ receiving a low dosage of physiotherapy treatment following surgery. Physiotherapy treatment after ACLR may increase patient acceptance of any post-surgical symptoms and functional limitations, but the effect on post-operative activity levels is less clear.Item Physioethology: A Post-Humanist Perspective on Physiotherapy(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-07-18) Low, Matthew; Moffatt, Fiona H; Kerry, Roger; Nicholls, David APhysiotherapy faces mounting challenges in an era of planetary crisis. This paper proposes a reorientation of physiotherapy through the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, specifically their concept of ethology, which foregrounds affect, relation, and immanence. We argue that contemporary physiotherapy remains tethered to anthropocentric, essentialist, and representational assumptions that limit its capacity to respond to complex ecological entanglements. Drawing on ethology, we explore how bodies, human and non-human, can be understood not as stable entities but as dynamic assemblages defined by what they can do. We consider the implications of this approach for practice, education, and planetary health, suggesting that physiotherapy shift from its traditional forms of praxis toward a dynamic composition of capacities. In doing so, the profession might cultivate an ecologically attuned, affectively sensitive, and experimentally oriented practice capable of engaging in the world.