Research Doctoral Scholarships in Virtual Rehabilitation - University of Teesside

Research Doctoral Scholarships
Virtual Rehabilitation
Institute for Health Sciences and Social Care
The University of Teesside is offering 12 full-time Research Doctoral Scholarships across a broad range of subject areas including: computing, social science, health sciences, engineering and history. The scholarships are aligned to key areas of research strength within the Institute of Digital Innovation, the Institute for Health Sciences and Social Care, the Social Futures Institute, the Institute for Innovation & Development in Engineering and Applied Science and the Centre for Regional and Local Historical Research. The awards will be for a period of three years and include fees (home/EU or international rate) and an annual stipend of £12,600. Successful applicants should be in a position to take up the scholarships in July 2008 or shortly thereafter.

6. Virtual-reality augmented rehabilitation to improve postural stability in older people with chronic pain.

The risk of falling is a major barrier to normal function for older people. While there is good evidence that stability exercises can decrease the risk of falling, this type of intervention is overlooked in the management of pain for older people. There is a gap in the literature and subsequently an important gap in practice regarding postural stability training in the improvement of function in older people with chronic pain. A major problem with exercise therapy is that many people do not carry out the exercises with the prescribed quality or quantity. A recent innovation in rehabilitation is the use of virtual environments for exercise, which aims, among other things, to enhance feedback and increase motivation to exercise appropriately. The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Universal Theory of Technology Acceptance and Use are the theoretical models underpinning this study.

7. Virtual reality augmented rehabilitation to improve exercise quality and frequency for people with low back pain.

The recent guidelines from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (involving Dr Martin) concluded that exercise was one of the most important ways of managing low back pain. While there was no evidence to suggest that any particular exercise was most beneficial a major component in success was the motivation of the person to exercise. A major problem with exercise therapy is that many people do not carry out the exercises with the required quality or quantity. A recent innovation in rehabilitation is the use of virtual environments for exercise, which aims, among other things, to provide feedback and increase motivation to exercise appropriately. There is a gap in the literature and practice regarding the effectiveness of the use of virtual environments in the improvement of function in people with low back pain. The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Universal Theory of Technology Acceptance and Use are the theoretical models underpinning this study.

Informal enquiries to Dr Denis Martin, email: d.martin@tees.ac.uk

Research Doctoral Scholarships applicants should have at least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification and ideally a postgraduate qualification. The minimum English language entry level is IELTS 6.5 with no grade below 6.0 or equivalent. To apply for a scholarship you must contact the Graduate Research School for an application form:
University of Teesside Research Doctoral Scholarships
Graduate Research School
University of Teesside
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BA
UK
E-mail: graduateresearchschool@tees.ac.uk or tel: +44(0)1642 738033

Closing date: 25 April 2008