Early mobilisation in spinal cord injury
Natalie Gray
A spinal cord injury or disease can cause a devastating range of symptoms and patients benefit from multidisciplinary rehabilitation to facilitate and support their recovery. Current practice within the UK utilise an initial period of immobilisation or bed rest with the aim of protecting the spine and facilitating healing. This immobilisation can continue for a number of weeks or months with the optimum time or conditions to commence movement unclear. With no established consensus, approaches vary both across the UK and internationally. There are growing doubts expressed by both patients and clinicians that prolonged immobilisation may lead to more risks than benefits. Natalie’s PhD research investigates early mobilisation in spinal cord injury.
Her research aims to explore the risks and benefits of early mobilisation. This will be completed through use of a systematic review of the literature, exploration of current practice, and working with expert teams around the UK and internationally through a consensus study. It is intended that this will lead to the creation of an evidence-based protocol for use within healthcare across the UK, guiding the timely initiation of mobilisation following spinal cord injury.
Natalie says:
Working with the NRC offers exciting opportunities to explore and deliver rehabilitation in new ways. The combination of expertise in clinical care, research and education offers opportunities to integrate and influence clinically relevant research and evidence-based rehabilitation. In addition, the NRC offers unique potential for extensive collaboration across specialties and disciplines within the UK and internationally, offering new ideas and learning opportunities.
Following her clinical work as a physiotherapist, her PhD offers a new challenge: “It is exciting to be able to investigate a clinically relevant question with the potential to influence future patient care. I look forward to broadening my skills and experience within research, as I move towards a clinical academic career.” she says.