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.
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Exploring the Experience of Sleep and Fatigue in Male and Female Adults Over the 2 Years Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Qualitative Descriptive Study(BMJ Publishing Group Limited, 2016-04-08) Theadom, A; Rowland, V; Levack, W; Starkey, N; Wilkinson-Meyers, L; McPherson, K; TBI Experiences GroupObjectives: To explore the experience of fatigue and sleep difficulties over the first 2 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Longitudinal qualitative descriptive analysis of interviews completed as part of a larger longitudinal study of recovery following TBI. Data relating to the experience of fatigue and/or sleep were extracted and coded by two independent researchers. Setting: Community-based study in the Hamilton and Auckland regions of New Zealand. Participants: 30 adult participants who had experienced mild, moderate or severe brain injury within the past 6 months (>16 years of age). 15 participants also nominated significant others to take part. Interviews were completed at 6, 12 and 24 months postinjury. Results: Participants described feeling unprepared for the intensity, impact and persistent nature of fatigue and sleep difficulties after injury. They struggled to learn how to manage their difficulties by themselves and to adapt strategies in response to changing circumstances over time. Four themes were identified: (1) Making sense of fatigue and sleep after TBI; (2) accepting the need for rest; (3) learning how to rest and; (4) need for rest impacts on ability to engage in life. Conclusions: Targeted support to understand, accept and manage the sleep and fatigue difficulties experienced may be crucial to improve recovery and facilitate engagement in everyday life. Advice needs to be timely and revised for relevance over the course of recovery.Item A Critical Review of the Psychometric Properties of the Nijmegen Questionnaire for Hyperventilation Syndrome(Physiotherapy New Zealand | Kōmiri Aotearoa, 2015-03-01) Ogilvie, V; Kersten, PThe Nijmegen Questionnaire is commonly used by physiotherapists and other health professionals in clinical and research settings. This outcome measure was developed by researchers at the Nijmegen University in the Netherlands as a screening tool for the hyperventilation syndrome in the 1980s. However, the literature that supports the efficacy of its use is scarce. This paper examines the evidence in relation to the conceptual basis, validity, and reliability of the Nijmegen Questionnaire. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to identify studies that are related to the above measurement properties for the questionnaire. Studies identified were evaluated for their methodological qualities using the COSMIN checklist. The clinical utility of this instrument is also discussed. Issues associated with the development and validating process of this outcome measure are identified. There is also a lack of evidence in cultural validation given that the Nijmegen Questionnaire was developed in the Netherlands. While this is the only questionnaire currently available that is designed specifically for the screening of hyperventilation syndrome, administrators need to be aware of the issues identified in relation to validity and reliability when interpreting the results. Applying more robust validating processes to establish the efficacy of the Nijmegen Questionnaire appears to be a priority for researchers to improve the quality of health services for individuals suffering from hyperventilation syndrome.Item Understanding the Complexities of Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals in Rural Health Settings Across Aotearoa: A Qualitative Study(BMC, 2026-01-30) George, Jane; Kayes, Nicola; Larmer, PeterBackground: Rural and remote communities in Aotearoa New Zealand face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). While targeted investment exists to increase the numbers of doctors and nurses entering the rural workforce, comparatively little attention has been given to Allied Health Scientific and Technical professions. This study aimed to explore what matters to AHPs’ in rural contexts and how these insights could inform recruitment and retention practices. Methods: Drawing on Interpretive Descriptive methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 AHPs from diverse professions, ethnicities and geographical locations across Aotearoa who had experience working in rural and/or remote settings. All participants were female, ranging in age from 23 to 63 years, representing seven allied health professions; social work (n = 7), physiotherapy (n = 4), occupational therapy (n = 2), music therapy (n = 2), psychology (n = 1), dietetics (n = 1), and pharmacy (n = 1). Participants identified as Pākehā | New Zealander (n = 11), Māori (n = 4), Samoan (n = 1), and beyond the Pacific (n = 2). Interviews explored career journeys, rural practice experiences, and employment decision factors. Data were analysed using six-phase Reflexive Thematic Analysis with ongoing researcher reflexivity and supervisory input. Results: Three key themes were constructed: (1) Sense of Connection and Belonging, highlighting the importance of feeling connected to teams, community and place; (2) Safe and Supported Practice, emphasising appropriate resources, professional development, and leadership relationships; (3) Creating Roles People Want to Come For, encompassing recruitment experiences, variety of work, growth pathways and scope of practice. These themes were infused with a cross-cutting concept of ‘Fit’, a felt sense of being in the right place, personally and professionally that emerged as a protective factor during challenges and key element for retention decisions. Conclusion: Successful recruitment and retention requires attention to both professional and personal factors, with particular emphasis on creating environments where AHPs feel valued, supported to develop their practice, and connected to their communities. The Fit concept offers a novel framework integrating professional, personal and place-based elements for understanding rural workforce retention. These insights provide evidence-based guidance for health policy makers, rural health organisations, professional bodies and tertiary education providers seeking to address persistent rural workforce shortages.Item Can Offset Analgesia Magnitude Provide Additional Information About Endogenous Pain Modulation in People With Knee Osteoarthritis? An Experimental Study(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024-10-30) Johansson, Elin; Puts, Sofie; Rice, David; Beckwée, David; Leemans, Lynn; Bilterys, Thomas; Schiphof, Dieuwke; Bautmans, Ivan; Coppieters, Iris; Nijs, JoObjectives: To investigate the relationship between offset analgesia magnitude and the responsiveness to conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation of (second) pain (TSP), and clinical pain severity in people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: Electrical stimuli were applied to 88 participants with KOA to measure offset analgesia at the volar forearm of the dominant hand, and CPM and TSP at the most symptomatic knee and ipsilateral volar wrist. Clinical pain severity was assessed using the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOSPAIN). Linear mixed effects models evaluated pain modulatory effects across all tests, and Spearman's partial correlations assessed associations between offset analgesia, CPM, TSP, and KOOSPAIN while accounting for covariates of interest. Participants unable to validly finish all psychophysical tests were excluded from effect and correlation analyses but were evaluated for predictors of non-valid completion using bivariate Stochastic Search Variable Selection. Results: Significant pain modulation was observed across all psychophysical tests (P < 0.05) and no meaningful predictors of non-valid test completion were found. Offset analgesia magnitude did not significantly correlate with CPM, TSP, or KOOSPAIN (p ≥ 0.05), with a maximum partial correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.21. Discussion: Offset analgesia was not associated with CPM, TSP, or KOOSPAIN in people with KOA. Despite the lack of case-control studies comparing offset analgesia between people with KOA and healthy controls, these findings suggest that offset analgesia may provide information about endogenous pain modulation beyond CPM and TSP, though its clinical translation remains uncertain.Item Analysis of Gout Remission Definitions in a Randomised Controlled Trial of Colchicine Prophylaxis for People With Gout Initiating Allopurinol(The Journal of Rheumatology Publishing, 2024-08-01) Tabi-Amponsah, Adwoa Dansoa; Stamp, Lisa K; Horne, Anne; Drake, Jill; Stewart, Sarah; Gamble, Greg; Petrie, Keith J; Dalbeth, NicolaOBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of colchicine prophylaxis on gout remission when commencing urate lowering therapy (ULT), and illness perceptions of people in remission, using two definitions of gout remission. METHODS: Data from a 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 200 people with gout commencing allopurinol were analyzed. Participants were randomly assigned to prophylaxis with 0.5mg daily colchicine or placebo for six months, followed by six months of additional follow-up. Gout remission was assessed using the 2016 preliminary definition or simplified definition without patient reported outcomes. Illness perceptions were assessed using a gout-specific brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ). RESULTS: In the first six months, few participants were in remission according to either the 2016 preliminary definition (3% for colchicine and 4% for placebo) or the simplified definition (7% for colchicine and 12% for placebo). In the second six months, after study drug (colchicine or placebo) discontinuation, fewer participants in the colchicine group than in the placebo group were in remission according to the 2016 preliminary definition (4% vs. 14%, p=0.03), and the simplified definition (14% vs 28%, p=0.02). Participants fulfilling remission using either definition had more favorable perceptions about their gout symptoms and illness concerns, as well as consequences, when using the simplified definition. CONCLUSION: Using either definition, six months of colchicine prophylaxis when initiating ULT does not provide an advantage in the fulfilment of gout remission. People fulfilling either definition report fewer symptoms, lower concern about their gout, and when using the simplified definition, are less affected by gout.Item The Influence of Multiple Cognitive Workload Levels of an Exergame on Dorsal Attention Network Connectivity at the Source Level(Elsevier BV, 2024-07-06) Ghani, U; Niazi, I; Signal, N; Kumari, N; Amjad, I; Haavik, H; Taylor, DThis study investigates how adding a cognitive task on a balance board (exergame) affects connectivity in the dorsal attention network (DAN) during an exergame task. Healthy young adults performed a soccer ball-moving task by tilting a balance board with their feet while their brain activity was measured using electroencephalography (EEG). In this exergame, the speed of obstacles in front of the goal manipulated the cognitive workload. Higher speed means a higher cognitive workload. The study found significant changes in functional connectivity within DAN regions, specifically in the alpha band. During the shift from easy to medium cognitive task, we observed a significant increase in connectivity (p= 0.0436) between the right inferior temporal (ITG R) and the Left middle temporal (MTG L). During the transition from easy to hard cognitive tasks, strengthened interactions (p= 0.0324) between inferior temporal (ITG) and parsopercularis (pOPPER) were found. This suggests that the proposed balanceboard-based exergame enhances the functionality of specific brain regions, such as ITG and MTG regions, and improves connectivity in the frontal cortex. We also found a correlation between brain activity and performance data, highlighting that increased cognitive workload resulted in decreased performance and heightened frontal alpha activity. These findings align with research suggesting that adding cognitive games to physical activity-based tasks in rehabilitation programs can boost brain activity, resulting in improved decision-making and visual processing skills. This information can help clinicians tailor rehabilitation methods that target specific brain regions.Item Risk Redux? Therapeutic Risk Taking and the Role of Supported Decision Making in Mental Health Settings(Wiley, 2026-02-18) Hamer, HP; Lampshire, D; Thom, K; Sutton, D; MacIntyre, G; Cogan, NThe prevailing culture of risk aversion and defensive practice within mental health systems significantly undermines recovery and well-being. In response, many Western jurisdictions are undergoing a fundamental transformation of mental health legislation, shifting towards a human rights-based approach. This transition emphasises supported decision-making, a reduction in coercive practices, and a stronger focus on recovery-oriented care. As services shift towards being human rights-led, clinicians need to move from making decisions for individuals in their best interests to considering what support is required to enable people to make their own choices; a difficult shift within services that remain risk-averse within a substitute decision-making regime. This paper reconceptualises risk not solely as a threat to be managed, but as a potential catalyst for recovery and empowerment. The authors call for a movement away from defensive, risk-averse models towards defensible and considered practices that thoughtfully balance safety with individual autonomy. At the heart of this shift is the innovative Dimensions of Safety framework, which assists practitioners in navigating complex decision-making processes while aligning their approaches with both human rights principles and the person's right to self-determination. This framework encourages therapeutic risk-taking as a means of fostering personal growth, resilience and empowerment. Furthermore, it incorporates cultural and spiritual dimensions to ensure care is equitable and inclusive. A trauma-informed perspective is also central, recognising the impact of past adversity on current mental health and decision-making skills. By challenging the dominance of substituted decision-making and promoting collaborative, rights-based care, this framework offers a practical and ethical pathway towards mental health systems that are safer, more inclusive and genuinely supportive of recovery and autonomy.Item Communities With Participation-Enabling Skills: A Study of Children With Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Shared Occupations(Routledge, 2016-08-30) Jones, M; Hocking, C; McPherson, KMany ideas about participation in rehabilitation literature focus inwards towards individuals, or individuals and their family, acting in but apart from their environment. Authors position individuals as “participating in” occupations or social settings, or point towards the outcomes for those who do or do not participate. This perspective arguably contributes to occupational injustices, hampering positive change. Literature has not furnished a broader gaze that appreciates individuals and their participation context as one. Actions that occur amongst people collectively with context, in an ongoing cycle of change, receive little attention. Guided by a Deweyan transactional perspective, six case studies exploring the participation of 9–12 year old children with traumatic brain injury generated more contextualised understandings. Interviews with children and community members, photographs, observations, and document-review provided information about actions and changes occurring amongst children and their environment, where these were seen as continuous with one another. This paper describes the Participation-enabling skills that were revealed amongst children and adults who shared in occupations. Community members demonstrated varying ability in using actions that facilitated both themselves and others to take part in occupations. The Participation-enabling skills were fostered during shared occupation. The congruence of the skills with themes in occupational science and therapy literature is explored, and their relevance to social change is proposed.Item Longitudinal Validity and Reliability of the Myeloma Patient Outcome Scale (MyPOS) Was Established Using Traditional, Generalizability and Rasch Psychometric Methods(Springer, 2017-11-01) Ramsenthaler, C; Gao, W; Siegert, RJ; Schey, SA; Edmonds, PM; Higginson, IJPurpose: The Myeloma Patient Outcome Scale (MyPOS) was developed to measure quality of life in routine clinical care. The aim of this study was to determine its longitudinal validity, reliability, responsiveness to change and its acceptability. Methods: This 14-centre study recruited patients with multiple myeloma. At baseline and then every two months for 5 assessments, patients completed the MyPOS. Psychometric properties evaluated were as follows: (a) confirmatory factor analysis and scaling assumptions (b) reliability: Generalizability theory and Rasch analysis, (c) responsiveness and minimally important difference (MID) relating changes in scores between baseline and subsequent assessments to an external criterion, (d) determining the acceptability of self-monitoring. Results: 238 patients with multiple myeloma were recruited. Confirmatory factor analysis found three subscales; criteria for scaling assumptions were satisfied except for gastrointestinal items and the Healthcare support scale. Rasch analysis identified limitations of suboptimal scale-to-sample targeting, resulting in floor effects. Test–retest reliability indices were good (R = > 0.97). Responsiveness analysis yielded an MID of +2.5 for improvement and -4.5 for deterioration. Conclusions: The MyPOS demonstrated good longitudinal measurement properties, with potential areas for revision being the Healthcare Support subscale and the rating scale. The new psychometric approaches should be used for testing validity of monitoring in clinical settings.Item The Impact of Disease Related Symptoms and Palliative Care Concerns on Health-related Quality of Life in Multiple Myeloma: A Multi-Centre Study(BMC, 2016-07-07) Ramensthaler, C; Osborne, TR; Gao, W; Siegert, R; Edmonds, PM; Schey, SA; Higginson, IJBackground: Multiple myeloma, the second most common haematological cancer, remains incurable. Its incidence is rising due to population ageing. Despite the impact of the disease and its treatment, not much is known on who is most in need of supportive and palliative care. This study aimed to (a) assess symptom severity, palliative care concerns and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with multiple myeloma, and (b) to determine which factors are associated with a lower quality of life. We further wanted to know (c) whether general symptom level has a stronger influence on HRQOL than disease characteristics. Methods: This multi-centre cross-sectional study sampled two cohorts of patients with multiple myeloma from 18 haematological cancer centres in the UK. The Myeloma Patient Outcome Scale (MyPOS) was used to measure symptoms and concerns. Measures of quality of life included the EORTC QLQ-C30, its myeloma module and the EuroQoL EQ-5D. Data were collected on socio-demographic, disease and treatment characteristics and phase of illness. Point prevalence of symptoms and concerns was determined. Multiple regression models quantified relationships between independent factors and the MyPOS, EORTC global quality of life item and EQ5D Index. Results: Five-hundred-fifty-seven patients, on average 3.5 years (SD: 3.4) post-diagnosis, were recruited. 18.2 % had newly diagnosed disease, 47.9 % were in a treatment-free interval and 32.7 % had relapsed/progressive disease phase. Patients reported a mean of 7.2 symptoms (SD: 3.3) out of 15 potential symptoms. The most common symptoms were pain (72 %), fatigue (88 %) and breathlessness (61 %). Those with relapsed/progressive disease reported the highest mean number of symptoms and the highest overall palliative care concerns (F = 9.56, p < 0.001). Factors associated with high palliative care concerns were a general high symptom level, presence of pain, anxiety, low physical function, younger age, and being in the advanced stages of disease. Conclusion: Patients with multiple myeloma have a high symptom burden and low HRQOL, in the advanced and the earlier stages of disease. Identification of patients in need of supportive care should focus on assessing patient-reported outcomes such as symptoms and functioning regularly in clinical practice, complementary to traditional biomedical markers.Item The UK Functional Assessment Measure (UK FIM+FAM): Psychometric Evaluation in Patients Undergoing Specialist Rehabilitation Following a Stroke From the National UK Clinical Dataset(Public Library of Science, 2016-01-29) Nayar, M; Vanderstay, R; Siegert, RJ; Turner-Stokes, LThe UK Functional Assessment Measure (UKFIM+FAM) is the principal outcome measure for the UK Rehabilitation Outcomes Collaborative (UKROC) national database for specialist rehabilitation. Previously validated in a mixed neurorehabilitation cohort, this study is the first to explore its psychometric properties in a stroke population, and compare left and right hemispheric strokes (LHS vs RHS). We analysed in-patient episode data from 62 specialist rehabilitation units collated through the UKROC database 2010-2013. Complete data were analysed for 1,539 stroke patients (LHS: 588, RHS: 566 with clear localisation). For factor analysis, admission and discharge data were pooled and randomised into two equivalent samples; the first for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal components analysis, and the second for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Responsiveness for each subject (change from admission to discharge) was examined using paired t-tests and differences between LHS and RHS for the entire group were examined using non-paired t-tests. EFA showed a strong general factor accounting for >48% of the total variance. A three-factor solution comprising motor, communication and psychosocial subscales, accounting for >69% total variance, provided acceptable fit statistics on CFA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation was 0.08 and Comparative Fit Index/ Tucker Lewis Index 0.922/0.907). All three subscales showed significant improvement between admission and discharge (p<0.001) with moderate effect sizes (>0.5). Total scores between LHS and RHS were not significantly different. However, LHS showed significantly higher motor scores (Mean 5.7, 95%CI 2.7, 8.6 p<0.001), while LHS had significantly lower cognitive scores, primarily in the communication domain (-6.8 95%CI -7.7, -5.8 p<0.001). To conclude, the UK FIM+FAM has a three-factor structure in stroke, similar to the general neurorehabilitation population. It is responsive to change during in-patient rehabilitation, and distinguishes between LHS and RHS. This tool extends stroke outcome measurement beyond physical disability to include cognitive, communication and psychosocial function.Item Ninety-seven Percent of Trials Investigating Robotic Interventions in Physiotherapy Contained Abstract Spin: A Meta-Research Review(Wiley, 2026-02-12) Tier, Hilary; Verveer, Jana; Anderson, David B; Quel De Oliveira, Camila; Bartley, Nicci; Mehta, Poonam; Pinto, Rafael Z; Verhagen, Arianne P; McCambridge, Alana B; Stubbs, Peter WBACKGROUND: Abstract spin involves misrepresenting or misreporting study findings in the abstract of an article. The abstract is the most easily accessible part of the article and may determine if an article is read, purchased or the findings are implemented into practice. Trials using new technologies, such as robotics, may be particularly vulnerable to spin due to the high costs associated with research and development. OBJECTIVE: To identify and assess abstract spin in physiotherapy clinical trials investigating robotic interventions. DESIGN: Meta-research review. METHODS: We searched the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) in August 2024 for two-armed clinical trials investigating robotic interventions compared to nonrobotic interventions, in any patient population. Article screening and data extraction were performed by two people independently. Quality assessment was performed using the PEDro scale with PEDro scores ≥ 6 deemed high quality. Abstract spin was assessed by two independent raters using a 7-item checklist. Spin items were scored "present," "not present" or "not applicable." Data were presented as counts and percentages. RESULTS: We included 160 trials, of which 95% were in neurological physiotherapy and 61% of trials were high quality. Almost all trials (97%) contained at least one item of spin. Most often abstracts failed to mention adverse events (90%) or overenthusiastically interpretated non-significant (primary) outcomes (77%). One percent of abstracts clearly omitted negative primary outcomes, and 23% of abstracts recommended treatments without clinically important effects on the primary outcomes. These low spin percentages were due to many trials not reporting any negative finding and trials not providing a clinical recommendation in the abstract. CONCLUSION: Ninety-seven percent of abstracts in trials investigating robotic interventions in physiotherapy contained spin. Academic journals should be conscious of the high prevalence of abstract spin in robotic trials and consider implementing stricter author guidelines or peer-review practices to ensure abstracts truly reflect the study findings.Item The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Workforce Attrition and Intention‐to‐Leave Among Healthcare Workers in New Zealand: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis(Wiley, 2026-02-18) Clarke, Mia; Stephen, B; Frecklington, M; Zeng, I; Carroll, MR; Siegert, RJ; Stewart, SDespite increasing concern about the stability of New Zealand's (NZ) health workforce, no prior synthesis has estimated the prevalence of attrition or intention‐to‐leave. This systematic review and meta‐analysis included 32 studies and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis and Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist guidelines to estimate these rates and identify associated factors. Attrition was highest among midwives (26.0%, 95% CI: 17.0%−36.0%), doctors (26.0%, 95% CI: 24.0%−27.0%), and those without postgraduate qualifications (29.0%, 95% CI: 26.0%−32.0%). Intention‐to‐leave was most prevalent among midwives (54.0%, 95% CI: 42.0%−66.0%) and in studies conducted between 2000 and 2010 (33.0%, 95% CI: 20.0%−47.0%). These findings highlight substantial workforce instability, with clear variation by profession, time period, and educational level, underscoring the need for targeted retention strategies to support the sustainability of NZ's healthcare system.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.