Completed projects

• Prevention and management of pressure injuries using advanced manufacturing of personalised wheelchair cushions

  Collaboration partner: Metro North Hospital and Health Service

  Commenced July 2021 – completed December 2022

  Project Leads: Dr David Forrestal (Chief Investigator – Research), Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Slattery (Chief Investigator – Clinical)

  This project has developed 3D printed wheelchair cushions that can be precisely tailored to meet the needs of an individual. Laboratory tests have showed that the 3D printed cushions are approaching levels of performance, safety, and quality necessary for user testing. Cushion design and manufacturing is automatic, practical, and cost effective compared to the established manual method of production. The future of this work is to undertake user testing with a clinical trial.

  Read summary report (PDF 86.6KB)

   

• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice Guidelines for People with Spinal Cord Injury

  Collaboration partner: Metro South Health
  
  Commenced March 2021 – completed March 2024

  Key personnel: Emilie Gollan (Queensland Project Lead) and Brooke Wadsworth (Queensland delegate), Physiotherapists at Metro South Health.

  The aim of the project was to provide clear guidance on the physiotherapy management of adults with spinal cord injury across the continuum of care. The project consisted by three phases:

  1. Qualitative research and analysis to better understand physiotherapists’, other healthcare providers’ and consumers’ perspectives and priorities.

  2. Systematic reviews, consensus meetings and guideline development.

  3. Translating the guidelines into practice.

  Read summary report (PDF 73.9KB)

• Assistive technology provision for the promotion of health and wellbeing: A needs analysis and solution building approach

  Collaboration partner: The Hopkins Centre

  Commenced November 2021 – completed July, 2023

  Project Lead: Professor Louise Gustafsson.

  The aim of the project was to conduct a needs assessment of the assistive technology sector in Queensland, establishing the normative, comparative, expressed and felt needs of funding body representatives, service providers/health professionals and recipients of assistive technology.

  There were three key needs identified for the AT sector in Queensland including: greater transparency and more publicly available information from the regulatory bodies, agencies, and schemes that manage the provision of AT, including the operationalisaton of ‘reasonable and necessary’; capacity and capability building of the AT advisor workforce; and improved access to AT for trial. It is proposed that these are essential to address many of the challenges, frustrations, and delays currently experienced in the sector.

  Read summary report (PDF 66.2KB)

• Access active rehab program

  Collaboration partner: Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association 

  Commenced August 2021 – completed August 2023

  Project Leads: David Bartholomaeus and Jacqueline Kelly (Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association). 

  The project aimed to improve the health outcomes for hospital inpatients with traumatic brain (TBI) and spinal cord injuries (SCI) through participation in sport and active recreation activities during their inpatient stay. It provided opportunities for linkages to community sport and recreation activities for patients following their post-hospital stay. 

  The project built on and enhanced a previous program developed and run by the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association through the Princess Alexandra Hospital brain and spinal cord injury services. An evaluation framework was embedded in the project design.

  Read summary report (PDF 79.9KB)

• Capacity building for providers of cognitive rehabilitation

  Collaboration partner: University of Queensland
  Commenced May 2021 – completed December 2022

  Research team: Professor Jennifer Fleming, Dr Emma Doig, Dr Anna Copley, Dr Emma Finch, Professor Julie Henry.

  The project addressed the capacity building needs of Queensland cognitive rehabilitation providers who work with people with a brain injury. The project team was then able to use the information gathered to develop and evaluate a capacity building program for providers. 

  It will produce real benefits for NIISQ participants and the Scheme including:

  • building provider capability and capacity across Queensland in cognitive rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injury
  • facilitation of evidence-based intervention, improved health outcomes and achievement of functional and participation goals for NIISQ participants
  • providing an opportunity to provide pilot data and lay the groundwork for a scaled-up provider capacity building program.

  Read summary report (PDF 123KB).