Physiotherapy and minimisation of medication use in people with knee osteoarthritis: opportunity for cohort studies and clinical trial research

Summary

Exercise is a proven and recommended therapy for people with knee osteoarthritis.  However, many people with this condition rely on medication for management of their symptoms.  In the light of current understandings of the adverse events and potential dependence on certain medication, better optimisation of medication use is needed.         
There is scope for several opportunities in this research area to conduct cohort and/or intervention studies. There is little known about why and how people with knee osteoarthritis use medication, long-term outcomes from their treatment choices, and interventions capable of reducing medication use and dependence.

Supervisor(s)

Dr Milena Simic

Research Location

Health Sciences - Generic

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Students interested in this opportunity would gain skills in performing epidemiological studies and the conduct of interventional studies, including clinical trials.  The intervention may involve physiotherapy, exercise, principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, and utilisation of e-health platforms.

Additional Information

http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/disciplines/physiotherapy/index.shtml    
http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/research/theme/musculoskeletal.shtml

Keywords

knee osteoarthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, medication, Physiotherapy, Pain, exercise, e-health, tele-rehabilitation

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 2620

Other opportunities with Dr Milena Simic

• Reducing joint load in people with knee osteoarthritis
• Prevention of athletic knee injuries
• Preventing Netball Injuries in Young Netballers
• Evaluation of a novel clinical pathway of care for common musculoskeletal disorders in primary care.