Occupational Therapy

Caulfield Hospital occupational therapists work with adults to overcome factors which limit their ability to function in their chosen occupational roles.

Through developing research capacity and strength in our clinical areas, our occupational therapists are contributing not only to Caulfield Hospital’s quality of care but are also enhancing evidence-based clinical decision making in rehabilitation. Recent research has concentrated in the areas of patient-directed rehabilitation, acquired brain injury rehabilitation, and aged care assessment and management.

Current research projects include

  • Optimising upper limb recovery following stroke: A randomised controlled trial of the effects of botulinum toxin-A combined with intensive rehabilitation compared to botulinum toxin-A alone. Natasha Lannin, Maria Crotty, Coralie English, Julie Ratcliffe, Louise Ada
  • EXTRA Practice Study: Feasibility of an extra practice upper limb protocol for adults after stroke: a repeated-measures baseline-controlled phase 1 study. Emma Schneider, Natasha Lannin, Louise Ada
  • The Reorient Trial: Determining the effectiveness of an environmental reorientation program in acute care to reduce the length of PTA in adults with TBI. Natasha Lannin, Megan Coulter, Michelle Farquhar, Jacqui Morarty
  • Evaluation of current wheelchair and seating prescription practices in a sub acute rehabilitation centre: are best practice and state funding guidelines being met? Belinda Robertson, Natasha Lannin, Kate Laver
  • Can patient and situational characteristics predict total occupational therapy time spent with patients prior to discharge from hospital? Bianca Summers, Natasha Lannin, Rebecca Nicks, Kate Laver
  • An evaluation of outcomes of a specialist ABI unit and its impact on long- term quality of life and community participation. Natasha Lannin
  • Guidelines for upper limb motor training for adults with spinal cord injury: a scoping review. Camilla Wolfel, Emma Schneider, Lisa O’Brien
  • What is known about participation in the parenting role following physical injury or illness? Lisa Munro, Rebecca Nicks, Priscilla Ennals
  • The effectiveness of occupational therapy self care interventions for hospitalised adults: A systematic review. Lisa Eyres, Nicola Wills, Lorena Romero, Natasha Lannin
  • A systematic review of the effectiveness of home modifications prescribed by occupational therapists. Rebecca Nicks, Belinda Robertson, Natasha Lannin
  • Google Calendar: Using Technology to increase independence in TBI survivors. Natasha Lannin, Susan Petrie, Trish Johnson, Kate Phillips
  • Impact of tailored intervention to a subacute aged care ward to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Rose Goonan, Sophie O’Keefe, Rebecca Nicks, Natasha Lannin
  • Selecting an occupational therapy meal preparation assessment. Katelyn Moloney, Rebecca Nicks, Georgia Timewell, Karen Roberts, Natasha Lannin
  • An implementation study of translating evidence based sensory rehabilitation into practice. Lauren Pennisi, Rebecca Nicks, Emma Schneider, Natasha Lannin
  • Barriers and Enablers to articulating Occupational Therapy Role Performance after Acquired Brain Injury. Danielle Sansonetti, Rebecca Nicks, Jacqui Morarty, Natasha Lannin
  • Concurrent Validity of the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) in adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Dina Watterson, Ralda Bourne, Jacqui Morarty, Laura Joliffe, Rebecca Nicks, Lindy Clemson, Natasha Lannin.
  • Validating the use of the functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF) for routine assessment of activities of daily living within the Australian hospital setting. Natasha Lannin, Laura Jolliffe, Jacqui Morarty, Dina Watterson, Ralda Bourne, Lisa O’Brien
  • Does attending a motor training workshop improve the quality and amount of upper limb practice provided in neuro-rehabilitation. Emma J. Schneider, Natasha A. Lannin, Louise Ada