Welcome to the Musculoskeletal Research Cluster in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.
As part of the Rehabilitation and Health Technologies Research Group our work aims to optimise musculoskeletal function using innovative research approaches and health technologies.
The overall aims of our research are to enable active living and healthy ageing in the general population and to minimise limitations in those with musculoskeletal conditions.
Our research focuses on:
- Healthy ageing – maintenance of independence for as long as possible
- Exercise and osteoarthritis – prevention of injury and progression to osteoarthritis in elite and recreational sports / activities
- Hip pain
- Hand conditions – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Shoulder pain
- Foot conditions– rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Knee conditions – osteoarthritis, joint replacement, patellofemoral pain
- Back pain
Research Approaches
A key feature of our research is its sound multidisciplinary base, primarily involving health and engineering disciplines, and patient and public involvement at all stages of projects (see below). Research approaches include:
- basic science laboratory-based studies of biomechanical and physiological mechanisms of normal function, dysfunction and recovery
- applied developmental studies of technologies for assessment and treatment
- development of clinical and home-based exercise programmes
- exploring communication and interaction between clinicians and patients
- clinical reasoning
- clinical trials of treatment effectiveness.
Both quantitative and qualitative techniques are employed, with mixed methods being an essential ingredient in clinical trials.
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