Marion Walker

Contact

• workRoom B107 Medical School
  Queen's Medical Centre
  Nottingham
  NG7 2UH
  UK
• work0115 823 0229
• fax0115 823 0231
• marion.walker@nottingham.ac.uk

Biography

Marion Walker is Professor in Stroke Rehabilitation, at the University of Nottingham. She is an occupational therapist by professional background and a Fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists.

Marion is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator and as such has been recognised as one of the nation's most outstanding leaders of clinical and applied health.

Marion has managed and steered many randomised controlled trials of stroke rehabilitation. Her trial involvement includes service evaluations of occupational therapy for stroke patients not admitted to hospital, multi disciplinary stroke teams, intermediate care, day centre care for young stroke patients, occupational therapy and physiotherapy provision in nursing homes and occupational therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease. Her trial experience also involves evaluations of specific components of stroke therapy including leisure, dressing, mobility and behavioural approaches in patients with aphasia and depression.

Marion is also Associate Director for Rehabilitation and Associate Director for Portfolio Development of the UK Stroke Research Network (www.uksrn.ac.uk), and a Trustee of the Stroke Association.

Expertise Summary

Keywords:

Stroke rehabilitation, randomised controlled trials, evaluation of occupational therapy interventions, implementation research

Teaching Summary

Marion leads the MSc Stroke Module and supervises research by PhD, MPhil, and MSc students.

Research Summary

Professor Marion Walker leads a multi-professional team of over 25 people with a dynamic research portfolio that has gained both national and international recognition. This active research community… read more

Selected Publications

• COBLEY CS, THOMAS SA, LINCOLN NB and WALKER MF, 2012. The Assessment Of Low Mood In Stroke Patients With Aphasia: Reliability And Validity Of The 10-Item Hospital Version Of The Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (Sadqh-10). Clinical Rehabilitation. 26(4), 372-81

• View all publications

Working in Partnership: patient and carer involvement and influencing stroke service development

Patient partnership is high on the stroke rehabilitation group's priorities and the Nottingham Stroke Research Consumer group has received local and national awards for its innovative work. This group of stroke survivors proactively work to ensure the needs and wishes of stroke survivors are embedded at the heart of research and service development. Mr Ossie Newell, MBE has worked tirelessly following his stroke to collaborate with Professor Marion Walker in developing this initiative and both have influenced stroke service management in Nottinghamshire.

Current Research

Professor Marion Walker leads a multi-professional team of over 25 people with a dynamic research portfolio that has gained both national and international recognition. This active research community has worked hard to raise the profile and standing of all allied health professions (Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and psychologists) in stroke rehabilitation research.

Stroke Rehabilitation Interventions: Randomised Control Trials

Of prime importance is that stroke rehabilitation research is embedded in the real life problems experienced by stroke survivors. The Nottingham Stroke Rehabilitation group have particular expertise in the conduct of randomised controlled trials. Professor Walker currently leads work investigating the ability to dress after a stroke, a problem still experienced by 52% of stroke survivors one year after their stroke. Other trials that she is actively involved in are the provision of occupational therapy in care homes (OTCH study), outdoor mobility (Getting out the House Study), the use of dopamine and stroke rehabilitation (DARS study) and stroke survivors with low mood and dysphasia (CALM).

Read more about Stroke Rehabilitation Research at the University of Nottingham

Research into practice

The translation of research findings into clinical practice is not always straightforward and has been highlighted by the government as a key concern and area for further investment. To address this, in 2009, Professor Walker's team embarked upon a programme of work (funded by National Institute for Health Research, part of CLAHRC NDL) investigating the barriers and facilitators of putting stroke rehabilitation evidence into practice. This work is both innovative and new and promises to make clear improvements to the effectiveness of care provided to stroke patients.

Read more about the stroke rehabilitation theme at CLAHRC

• COBLEY CS, THOMAS SA, LINCOLN NB and WALKER MF, 2012. The Assessment Of Low Mood In Stroke Patients With Aphasia: Reliability And Validity Of The 10-Item Hospital Version Of The Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (Sadqh-10). Clinical Rehabilitation. 26(4), 372-81
• FISHER, REBECCA J, GAYNOR, CATHERINE, KERR, MICKY, LANGHORNE, PETER, ANDERSON, CRAIG, BAUTZ-HOLTER, ERIK, INDREDAVIK, BENT, MAYO, NANCY E, POWER, MICHAEL, RODGERS, HELEN, RØNNING, OLE MORTEN and WID, 2011. A consensus on stroke: early supported discharge. Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation. 42(5), 1392-7
• WALKER MF, SUNDERLAND A, FLETCHER-SMITH J, DRUMMOND A, LOGAN P, EDMANS JA, GARVEY K, DINEEN RA, INCE P, HORNE J, FISHER RJ and TAYLOR J, 2011. The DRESS trial: a feasibility randomise trial of a neuropsychological approach to dressing therapy for stroke inpatients. Journal of Clinical Rehabilitation.
• ENGLAND TJ,, ABAEI M, AUER DP, LOWE J, JONES RE, SARE G, WALKER M and BATH PMW, 2011. Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor for Mobilizing Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Subacute Stroke : The Stem Cell Trial of Recovery Enhancement After Stroke 2 Randomized Controlled Trial Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. 405-411
• FISHER R and WALKER M, 2011. Early supported discharge: an essential part of stroke care Neurology: Midlife and Beyond.
• BURTON AM, LIU H, BATTERSY S, BROWN D, SHERKAT N, STANDEN P and WALKER M, 2011. The use of Motion Tracking Technologies in Serious Games to Enhance Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients International Journal of Game-Based Learning. 1(4), 60-73
• QUINN, TERENCE J, PAOLUCCI, STEFANO, SUNNERHAGEN, KATHERINA S, SIVENIUS, JUHANI, WALKER, MARION F, TONI, DANILO, LEES, KENNEDY R, , and ,, 2009. Evidence-based stroke r-ehabilitation: an expanded guidance document from the european stroke organisation (ESO) guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008. Journal of rehabilitation medicine : official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 41(2), 99-111
• 2009. PIlot randomised controlled trial of occupational therapy to optimise independence in Parkinson's Disease: the PDOT trial. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry: JNNR. 2009:80, ;976-978
• AZIZ NA, LEONARDI-BEE J, PHILLIPS MF, GLADMAN J, LEGG LA and WALKER M, 2009. Therapy-based rehabilitation services for patients living at home more that one year after stroke (Review) The cochrane Collaboration. 1-21
• EDMANS J, GLADMAN J, HILTON D, WALKER M, SUNDERLAND A, COBB S, PRIDMORE T and THOMAS S, 2009. Clinical evaluation of a non-immersive virtual environment in stroke rehabilitation Clinical Rehabilitation. 23, 106-116
• QUINN TERENCE J, PAOLUCCI STEFANO, SUNNERHAGEN KATHARINE S, SIVENIUS JUHANI, WALKER MARION F, TONI DANILO, LEES KENNEDY R, THE EUROPEAN STOKE ORGANISATION (ESO), EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE ESO WRITIN, 2008. Evidence-based stroke rehabilitation: An expanded guidance document from the European Stroke Organisation (ESO). Guidelines for management of ischaemic stoke and transient ischaemic attack 2008 J Rehabil Med 2008 Preview. J Rehabil Med 41(Special issue), 3-15
• WALKER, M.F. AS PART OF THE ESO WRITING COMMITTEE, 2008. Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008: The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Executive Committee and the ESO Writing Committee Consensus Paper Cerebrovascular Diseases. 25, 457-507
• RADFORD KATHRYN A, WALKER MARION F, 2008. Impact of Stroke on Return to Work Brain Impairment. 9(2), 161-169
• SPRIGG,, WILLMOT,, GRAY,, SUNDERLAND,, POMEROY,, WALKER, and BATH,, 2007. Amphetamine increases blood pressure and heart rate but has no effect on motor recovery or cerebral haemodynamics in ischaemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN 36285333). Journal of Human Hypertension. 21, 616-624
• THE OPTIMISING ANALYSIS OF STROKE TRIALS (OAST) COLLABORATION, 2007. Can we improve the statistical analysis of stroke trials?: statistical reanalysis of functional outcomes in stroke trials. Stroke. 38(6), 1911-1915
• WALKER, M.F., 2007. Stroke rehabilitation: Evidence-based or evidence-tinged? Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 39, 193-197
• WALKER, MARION F, 2007. Stroke rehabilitation: evidence-based or evidence-tinged? Journal of rehabilitation medicine : official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 39(3), 193-7
• SPRIGG,, BATH,, ZHAO,, WILLMOT,, GRAY,, WALKER,, DENNIS, and RUSSELL,, 2006. Granulocyte-Colony-Stimulating Factor Mobilizes Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Patients With Subacute Ischemic Stroke. The Stem Cell Trial of Recovery EnhanceMent After Stroke (STEMS) Pilot Randomized, Controlled Trial (ISRCTN 16784092). Stroke.
• EDMANS, J.A., GLADMAN, J.R.F., COBB, S., SUNDERLAND, A., PRIDMORE, T., HILTON, D. and WALKER, M.F., 2006. Validity of a virtual environment for stroke rehabilitation Stroke. 37(11), 2770-2775
• LOGAN, P. A., WALKER, M. F. and GLADMAN, J. R. F., 2006. Description of an occupational therapy intervention aimed at improving outdoor mobility British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 69(1), 2-6
• SUNDERLAND, A., WALKER, C.M. and WALKER, M.F., 2006. Action errors and dressing disability after stroke: an ecological approach to neuropsychological assessment and intervention Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. 16(6), 666-683
• SUNDERLAND, ALAN, WALKER, CHRISTINA M and WALKER, MARION F, 2006. Action errors and dressing disability after stroke: an ecological approach to neuropsychological assessment and intervention. Neuropsychological rehabilitation. 16(6), 666-83
• WALKER,M.F., 2005. (Editorial) Time to make an impact British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 68(2), 55
• HAMMOND, R., LENNON, S., WALKER, M. F., HOFFMAN, A., IRWIN, P., LOWE, D. and INTERCOLLEGIATE STROKE WORKING PARTY, 2005. Changing occupational therapy and physiotherapy practice through guidelines and audit in the United Kingdom Clinical Rehabilitation. VOL 19(NUMB 4), 365-371
• FLEMING, S.A., BLAKE, H., GLADMAN, J.R., HART, E., LYMBERY, M., DEWEY, M.E., MCCLOUGHRY, H., WALKER, M. and MILLER, P., 2004. A randomised controlled trial of a care home rehabilitation service to reduce long-term institutionalisation for elderly people Age and Ageing. 33(4), 384-390
• WALKER, M.F., LEONARDI-BEE, J., BATH, P., LANGHORNE, P., DEWEY, M., CORR, S., DRUMMOND, A., GILBERTSON, L., GLADMAN, J.R.F., JONGBLOED, L., LOGAN, P. and PARKER, C., 2004. Individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of community occupational therapy for stroke patients Stroke. 35(9), 2226-2232
• LEGG, L., LANGHORNE, P., ANDERSEN, H.E., CORR, S., DRUMMOND, A., DUNCAN, P., GERSHKOFF, A., GILBERTSON, L., GLADMAN, J., HUI, E., JONGBLOED, L., LEONARDI-BEE, J., LOGAN, P., MEADE, T., DE VET, R., STOKER-YATES, J., TILLING, K., WALKER, M. and WOLFE, C., 2004. Rehabilitation therapy services for stroke patients living at home: systematic review of randomised trials Lancet. 363(9406), 352-356
• LOGAN, P.A., GLADMAN, J.R.F., AVERY, A., WALKER, M.F., DYAS, J. and GROOM, L., 2004. Randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention to increase outdoor mobility after stroke BMJ : British Medical Journal. 329(7479), 1372-1374
• WALKER, C.M., SUNDERLAND, A., SHARMA, J. and WALKER, M.F., 2004. The impact of cognitive impairment on upper body dressing difficulties after stroke: a video analysis of patterns of recovery Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 75(1), 43-48
• LOGAN,P., GLADMAN,J., AVERY,A., WALKER,M., GROOM,L. and DYAS,J.V., 2004. A randomised controlled trial of a travel promotion programme Age and Ageing. 33(suppl 1), i11
• LINCOLN, N. B., WALKER, M. F., DIXON, A. and KNIGHTS, P., 2004. Evaluation of a multiprofessional community stroke team: a randomized controlled trial Clinical Rehabilitation. VOL 18(PART 1), 40-47
• SACKLEY, C. M., ATKINSON, J. C. and WALKER, M. F., 2004. Occupational Therapy in Nursing and Residential Care Settings: a Description of a Randomised Controlled Trial Intervention British Journal of Occupational Therapy. VOL 67(PART 3), 104-110
• WALKER, M.F., 2004. Referring stroke patients to occupational therapy. Read, reflect, respond. British Medical Journal. bmjlearning.com,
• WALKER,M.F., 2004. Restoring neurological function: putting the neurosciences to work in neurorehabilitation. A report from the Academy of Medical Sciences
• CORR, S., PHILLIPS, C. J. and WALKER, M., 2004. Evaluation of a pilot service designed to provide support following stroke: a randomized cross-over design study Clinical Rehabilitation. VOL 18(PART 1), 69-75
• WALKER, C. M., WALKER, M. F. and SUNDERLAND, A., 2003. Dressing after a Stroke: a Survey of Current Occupational Therapy Practice British Journal of Occupational Therapy. VOL 66(PART 6), 263-268
• WALKER,M.F. and POMEROY,V.M., 2003. Rehabilitation - therapy techniques. In: TALLIS,RAYMOND, ed., Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology 6th. Churchill Livingston, Edinburgh, UK.
• WALLEN,M. and WALKER,M, 2003. (Critically appraised paper) Splinting the hand in the functional position after acquired brain injury did not influence muscle length, hand function or pain Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 50(4), 262-263
• WALKER, M. F., 2003. The Casson Memorial Lecture 2003: Past Conditional, Present Indicative, Future Indefinite British Journal of Occupational Therapy. VOL 66(PART 8), 338-344
• WALKER, M., 2002. Stroke rehabilitation British Journal of Cardiology. VOL 9(ISSU 1), 23-27
• WALKER,M.F., HAWKINS,K., LINCOLN,N.B. and GLADMAN,J.R.F., 2001. Randomised controlled trial of occupational therapy at home: results at one year Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 70(2), 267
• WALKER, C. M. and WALKER, M. F., 2001. Dressing Ability after Stroke: a Review of the Literature British Journal of Occupational Therapy. VOL 64(PART 9), 449-454
• WALKER, M.F., 2001. Stroke Rehabilitation - A multidisciplinary challenge.
• SACKLEY, C M, GATT, J and WALKER, M F, 2001. The use of rehabilitation services by private nursing homes in Nottingham. Age and Ageing. 30(6), 532-3
• WALKER, M and POUND, K, 2000. The scope for community based intervention in stroke rehabilitation. British Journal of Community Nursing. 5(4), 176, 178-80
• WALKER,M.F., DRUMMOND,A.E., GATT,J. and SACKLEY,C.M., 2000. Occupational therapy for stroke patients: a survey of current practice British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 63(8), 367-372
• WALKER,M.F., LINCOLN,N.B., SIEMONSMA,P., WHITELEY,T. and GLADMAN,J.R., 1999. Occupational therapy for stroke patients not admitted to hospital: a randomised controlled trial Lancet. 354, 278-280
• SIEMONSMA, P C and WALKER, M F, 1997. Practical guidelines for independent assessment in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation. 11(4), 273-9
• WALKER, M. F., DRUMMOND, A. E. R. and LINCOLN, N. B., 1996. Evaluation of dressing practice for stroke patients after discharge from hospital: a crossover design study Clinical Rehabilitation. VOL 10(NUMBER 1), 23-31
• DRUMMOND, A. and WALKER, M., 1996. Generalisation of the Effects of Leisure Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients British Journal of Occupational Therapy. VOL 59(NUMBER 7), 330-334
• KALRA, LALIT and WALKER, MARION F, Stroke rehabilitation in the United kingdom. Topics in stroke rehabilitation. 16(1), 27-33