![Professor Sandy Brauer](/sites/default/files/profiles/736.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Research to improve balance and gait in older adults and those with Neurological Disorders.
Impaired postural control, or poor balance, can have devastating effects on the lives of individuals, resulting in falls, dependence, and reduced quality of life. Prof Brauer leads a number of studies to better understand the underlying motor control mechanisms contributing to altered postural control, particularly in populations with neurological disorders or advanced age, and use this information to better develop physiotherapy assessment techniques and rehabilitation strategies. This research has subsequently developed to encompass prevention strategies and the investigation of the cost-effectiveness of intervention, to better facilitate the translation of research evidence into clinical practice.
Current research themes include:
Improving physical activity after stroke
Training dual tasking when walking in people with Parkinson’s Disease.
Community mobility in older adults, particularly in people with Parkinson’s Disease and stroke.
Retraining reaching following stroke, using the SMART Arm device.
The prevention of falls, particularly in hospitals.
Availability
- Professor Sandy Brauer is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Sandy Brauer’s works on UQ eSpace
1999
Journal Article
Lateral reach: A clinical measure of medio-lateral postural stability
Brauer, Sandra, Burns, Yvonne and Galley, Prudence (1999). Lateral reach: A clinical measure of medio-lateral postural stability. Physiotherapy Research International, 4 (2), 81-88. doi: 10.1002/pri.155
1998
Other Outputs
Mediolateral postural stability : changes with age and prediction of fallers
Brauer, Sandra G. (1998). Mediolateral postural stability : changes with age and prediction of fallers. PhD Thesis, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/325498
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Sandy Brauer is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Measurement and rehabilitation of the shoulder and upper limb
We are seeking up to two PhD candidates eligible for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship, Australia to undertake a PhD in the area of measurement of upper limb motion and use. The project is part of an Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and led by researchers at Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland. The centre aims to advance personalised surgical treatment of joints by integrating computer tools for pre-surgical planning and decision making, computer simulation systems and robot simulators for surgical training. Understanding the effectiveness of these treatments requires assessment and analysis of functional movements in clinical and real-world environments. The successful PhD candidate will use new sensor and/or robotic assessment technologies in conjunction with advanced motion capture systems to record shoulder and upper limb functional movements.
Project areas include:
- developing novel movement & muscle function assessments for the shoulder & upper limb;
- examining functional movements in people with shoulder or upper limb dysfunction or injury;
- developing new wearable & robotic technologies to optimise upper limb functional movement;
- developing new virtual / augmented reality technologies for rehabilitation.
The project requires a background in movement science, biomechanics, biomedical engineering or a related discipline. Experience in 3D motion analysis and electromyography is highly desirable.
The PhD student will be supervised by a team that may include Prof Sandra Brauer, Prof Paul Hodges, Dr Alejandro Melendez-Calderon, Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo, Prof Graham Kerr. The PhD students will work in the labs of the UQ Professors as part of an interdisciplinary team with skills spanning rehabilitation, imaging, neurophysiology, physiology, motor control, biomechanics, and computational modelling. The student will collaborate with other students and researchers at Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland and Neuroscience Research Aust.
Eligible candidates will be supported to apply for a UQ Graduate School Scholarship that provides a 3-year scholarship (with possible extension for 6 months if required) at a rate of $28,597 p.a. tax free. An additional top up of $8,000 p.a. tax free, will be provided for these projects. Due to international border restrictions, this opportunity is most suitable for onshore applicants.
Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in movement science, biomechanics, physiotherapy, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; knowledge of 3D motion analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.
Desirable criteria: Experience in rehabilitation science; biomechanics, and muscle physiology
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Postural stability and vestibular function in older adults with hearing loss: the effect of vibrotactile neurofeedback training
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Katrina Williams, Dr Barbra Timmer
-
Doctor Philosophy
Implementation and evaluation of a clinician-led stroke Electronic Medical Record (EMR) enhancement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Burton-Jones
-
Doctor Philosophy
Helping people with stroke return to meaningful and healthy lives early after stroke
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Dr Niru Mahendran
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Doctor Philosophy
The effect of individualized, vibrotactile neurofeedback training on postural stability in older adults with hearing loss
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Louise Hickson, Dr Barbra Timmer, Associate Professor Wayne Wilson
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and improving community mobility after stroke
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Niru Mahendran
-
Doctor Philosophy
Upper-limb assessment of neuromuscular impariments using robotics and computer vision
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alejandro Melendez-Calderon
-
Doctor Philosophy
Movement behaviours of adults in the inpatient setting
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of aerobic exercise on brain derived neurotrophic factor, motor and cognitive function in people post stroke.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li-Ann Leow
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the relationship between sensory symptoms, function and participation in people with Multiple Sclerosis
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing adherence to falls prevention exercise in older adults with a risk of falling in Singapore
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anna Hatton, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Early upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: A study of current upper limb use and the influence of increased upper limb use on post-stroke recovery
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Feasibility of creating an enriched environment and subsequent impact on activity levels for stroke patients in an acute stroke unit
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation of the pragmatic implementation of weekend rehabilitation services in Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring Technology for Clinical Applications and Analysis of Factors Associated with Postural Control in Older Adults with Idiopathic Neck Pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julia Treleaven
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Community ambulation in people with Parkinson's disease
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The potential for stroke survivors with severe upper limb disability to improve in function during inpatient rehabilitation.
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of treadmill walking at high intensity during rehabilitation following stroke
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Postural stability and spinal movement in chronic low back pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
The immediate effect of physical activity on the postural stability of older people
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Cresswell
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2006
Doctor Philosophy
MAXIMIZING UPPER LIMB RECOVERY AFTER STROKE
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Basal ganglia control of anticipatory postural adjustments: Effects of Parkinson's disease and its treatments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Domiciliary versus centre-based rehabilitation of older community dwellers: Randomised trial with economic evaluation
Associate Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
The effect of chest physiotherapy on lung function in preterm infants
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Sensorimotor Dysfunction in CRPS1 and Stroke: Characterisation, Prediction and Intervention
Associate Advisor
-
2007
Master Philosophy
POSTURAL MUSCLE ACTIVATION TIMING IN CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT CEREBRAL PALSY
Associate Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
POSTURAL MUSCLE TIMING DURING UPPER-LIMB MOTION IN EIGHT- TO TEN-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION DISORDER.
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Sandy Brauer directly for media enquiries about:
- Balance - physiotherapy
- Brain and movement - physiotherapy
- Gait - physiotherapy
- Motor control
- Motor control - physiotherapy
- Neurology - physiotherapy
- Older adults - falls
- Parkinson`s Disease
- Physiotherapy
- Stroke
- Walk - physiotherapy
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