Routes into Research: Dr David Porter

David Porter

Elizabeth Casson Trust Reader in Occupational Therapy

School of Health & Social Care

Oxford Brookes University

Honorary contract with Oxford Centre for Enablement

Background

Kings College School of Medicine & Dentistry

Tayside Assistive Technology Service

West of Scotland Mobility & Rehabilitation Centre

Mary Marlborough Centre (Oxford Centre for Enablement)

Background

College School of Medicine & Dentistry

Background

College School of Medicine & Dentistry

Postural Management

Scoliosis

Pelvic Obliquity

Windswept Hips

Hip Dislocation

Madigan & Wallace 1981

Letts et al 1984

Lonstein & Beck 1986

Young et al 1998

(36 participants) (22 participants) (29 participants) (26 participants)

NHS Research Training Fellowship 2000-03

Evidence Based Healthcare (Oxford University)

Epidemiology & Medical Statistics (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

PhD (University of Dundee)

Patterns of Postural Deformity in Non Ambulant People with Cerebral Palsy

1) What is the relationship between the individual components of deformity?

Pattern of Deformity previously accepted … pattern more often to this side observed association

2) Is there a relationship between preferred posture and positioning in early life and the direction of subsequent asymmetrical postural deformity ?

Patterns of Postural Deformity in Non Ambulant People with Cerebral Palsy 3) Is there a relationship between foetal position and both preferred lying posture after birth and pattern of subsequent postural deformity ?

Possible Mechanism

Improved understanding

Help prediction

Facilitate earlier intervention

How to intervene?

Effectiveness of interventions ?

Relevance

Evidence – Informed Decision Making

Change of Direction

Applied for role of Reader in Occupational Therapy at the School of Health & Social Care

Focus on research full time

Started August 2005

Cluster of studies and a community of researchers

Improve attention performance

Slow deterioration of contractures & deformities

Increase functional ability and independence

Postural Ability Posturally supportive seating is often provided to children who are unable to walk to help maintain a stable posture and: Strong opinions … lack of evidence

Attention Test Study Does postural support influence the ability to perform attention tasks in children with bilateral cerebral palsy ?

Sitting Ability Study (WAMBLE) Trunk movement to control computer games: Does this influence the development of sitting ability in children with cerebral palsy? Do the children enjoy playing the games ?

Kneeblock Study