As part of the journey towards becoming a qualified and practising osteopathic practitioner, students are required to undertake a small research project. While many projects are directly related to osteopathy and involve osteopathic treatments, other studies may be more exploratory and involve studies about pain, perceptions of well being, exercise, breathing, life as a new family etc...If you would like to be kept up to date with the research opportunities available through Unitec Osteopathy then please follow our group! Please feel free to contact with regard to research questions using the form below, or visit our clinic website here. More information about the clinicIf you have aches and pains, back pain, sport injuries or shoulder and knee problems, you can book yourself in at Unitec's Osteopathy Clinic. The clinic provides effective, affordable and drug-free care for lots of conditions. Treatment is carried out by Master of Osteopathy students. They have already completed a first degree, and they are supervised by tutors who are qualified osteopaths with lots of experience. All the techniques used in osteopathy are gentle and normally don't cause pain or discomfort. You'll always be asked for your permission before treatment starts. Osteopathy can ease lots of different types of neck, back and joint pains, and it is suitable for people of all ages and occupations: Pregnant women: Antenatal care for women experiencing back and other aches and pains, in all stages of pregnancy Babies: Colic and difficulty sleeping or feeding Children and young people: Growth-related problems in knees, feet and spine Elderly people: Chronic aches and pains related to the spine, shoulders, hips, feet and knees Sportspeople and dancers: Sprains, strains and chronic injuries Workers in sedentary or active occupations, e.g. computer users, drivers and labourers.

exercise,health,osteopathy,Pain
Academic

This research study aims to investigate how mild knee pain affects strength of the thigh muscles.It has been long known that muscle are weaker when they are in pain, however, we only know half the picture. Muscles usually shorten when they contract, and pull the bone towards the muscle. However, when the weight is too heavy, or when we lower our selves down slowly, the muscles lengthen while contraction. This latter contraction type (eccentric) is of particular interest as it is believed to be of less volitional control, yet has not been completely explored. The finding of this research may assist in informing rehabilitation strategies for individuals with chronic injury or pain.Participants will be required to attend 2 one-hour sessions at AUT’s Akoranga campus, and will be compensated with $20 petrol vouchers . Sessions involve strength tests and tasks that involve attempting to maintain a mild effort for short duration. Participants will also receive a small harmless injection to the knee to induce a short and mild bout of knee pain. Pain should last less that 10 minutes

For Females and Males aged 18 to 60
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

This research study aims to investigate how experimentally induced low back pain affects electrical activity in the back and hamstring muscles. It has been long known that in fully bent-forward position, back muscles show electrical relaxation in pain-free individuals and such relaxation in absent in individuals with low back pain. To some extent, similar responses are observed in hamstring muscles as well.  Additionally it is known that pain is associated with decreased movement of the injured body part.  Previous research has not been able to answer if altered responses in the hamstring muscles are secondary to decreased movement due to pain or represent efforts of hamstring muscles (along with lumbar muscles) to stabilize spine and pelvis. Participants need to attend an half-hour screening session and a 45-minute data collection session at Unitec Mt. Albert campus.  The session involves making 4 X 4 bending forward movements during which muscle activity in lumbar and hamstring muscles will be measured.  Participants will also receive 2 small harmless injections in their back muscles to induce a short and mild bout of low back pain.  Pain should last less than 7-10 minutes.

For Females and Males aged 18 to 55
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

This study is aiming to find the inter and intra rater reliability of a sitting posture rating tool. Healthy volunteers under the age of 26 are needed for the next step of this study for short clips of their sitting posture. These clips are then going to be further used by being rated by another set of participants.

For Females and Males aged 18 to 26
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland

For Females and Males aged 18 to 65
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland

Here are some details about my study, I will add more info here soon pleaes read the informatin sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wijf0tvtur5alxu/End%20of%20year%20CIS%20Retreat%20%28programme%29.docx?dl=0  

For Females and Males aged 18 to 75
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland

 This study aims to determine if yoga and Pilates are effective for chronic non-specific neck pain, when completed as an extra activity along with exercises that are often prescribed by a manual therapist, compared to prescribed exercises only. Outcome measures include pain, quality of life, function and whether prior expectations about the effectiveness of yoga or Pilates or other psychosocial factors determine the outcome.  

For Females and Males aged 18 to 60
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

Hi guys, I am a Master student at Unitec, and I am currently recruiting pregnant women experiencing lumbo-pelvic pain (back and pelvic pain) pain to participate in my research project. The study explores the osteopathic clinical reasoning and decision making for the diagnosis and treatment of lumbopelvic pain associated with pregnancy. We are interested in researching this topic from the perspective of the osteopaths treating pregnant women. The information gathered from this research project will allow us to gain an understanding of the process used by osteopaths when diagnosing and treating pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain. The women's input is limited to their side of the consultation, and forms the background against which the practitioner's reasoning takes place. The initial appointment will be video-recorded with strict focus on the practitioner. The inclusion criteria are explained below. For your participation you get 1 TREATMENT + 2 FOLLOW-UP for FREE, and you will be treated by one of our Osteopath registered tutor for the first appointment. If you have any questions, please contact me on 021 02543911

For Females aged 23 to 50
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

Do you have concerns about you breathing? Does your breathing hold you back from doing the things you want to do? If so you could be eligible to participate in our study. We are seeking healthy active adults to undergo a series of four 30 minute free osteopathic treatments and breathing retraining. Participants will also be required to undergo non invasive measures of breathing, such as breathing questionnaires, movement economy and heart rate variability. For further inquiries regarding this study please feel free to contact us on: [email protected]   Note: This is part of two students' Master of Osteopathy research thesis and has been approved by the Unitec Ethics Committee. Osteopathy is a manual therapy based approach to health, for further information on Osteopathy please visit this link, here.

For Females and Males aged 19 to 45
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

This study aims to identify the effect of knee pain on muscle strength in the opposite, non-painful leg. Current research indicates a possibility that central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) mechanisms play a role in the strength deficits observed in painful muscles. This study will assist in identifying the extent of these mechanisms, and provide a better understanding of altered movement patterns exhibited during pain to inform rehabilitation strategies.

For Females and Males aged 18 to 40
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

Recent evidence shows that high levels of sedentary behaviour, such as prolonged sitting, is negatively correlated with an increased metabolic risk score, risk of cardiovascular events,  and all-cause mortality. The introduction of standing desks into the workplace offers a potential solution to the inactivity problem. Given that desks are typically workplace tools, it is logical to enquire about the effects of a standing desk on cognitive performance.  The goal of this project is to evaluate the effects of working from a standing desk compared with a seated desk, on cognitive performance, during a simulated working day. What Participation Involves  Involvement in this study will require you to attend a familiarisation session of approximately 90 minutes at the Unitec Mount Albert campus. During this session you will get to see all the tasks that will be performed during the study, and will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the study before choosing to enrol. If you choose to enrol, you will attend a full day (9:00 am to 4:30 pm) at the Unitec Mount Albert campus where you will be allocated to either a standing or sitting desk. You will be provided with numerous tasks to perform throughout the day, and will be guided through all tasks by a researcher. All tasks can be completed from the desk, and all tasks involve varying amount of cognitive load (i.e., they are all thinking tasks). There are three break periods throughout the day, and standing desk participants are allowed to sit when needed. You will need to also attend a second day, approximately one week later, where you will repeat the day using a different desk (everyone will do one day from each desk). Upon completion of the second day you will be compensated with $200 for your time. You may also be sent an overview of the findings upon completion of data analysis and interpretation.

For Females and Males aged 18 to 50
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy

Professor Bruce Arroll at the University of Auckland and Associate Professor Suzanne Henwood at Unitec are conducting a research study on non-drug methods for treating people with a fear of heights. They are keen to find participants willing to be in this study. To be in the study you need to be over the age of 16 and be able to read and understand English and have a fear of heights. You can still see your own doctor and can stay on any treatment you are currently getting. The study is being conducted at two locations. The University site at Glen Innes (parking available) or West Auckland (free parking). Why are we interested in fear of heights Many people have a fear of heights and manage this by avoiding being in situations where they may or will be exposed to heights. This can cause problems at work or problems with leisure activities. This study is examining a way of removing or, at least, making the fear of heights more manageable. The study involves talking and filling in questionnaires. You will not be exposed to a situation involving heights.

For Females and Males aged 16 to 110
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Heights

This project aims to establish the reliability of measuring the thickness for sternocleidomastoid muscle (cervical muscle) and related deep fascia utilising ultrasound imaging (USI). Three ultrasound operators of varying experience (novice, moderate & expert) will utilise a standardised protocol to obtain the thickness values on a minimum of 20 participants. Each rater will complete the USI protocol on each participant twice, allowing for analysis of intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. If you choose to participate you will need to undertake the following: 1.       Brief telephone conversation with the researcher to confirm eligibility for the project. A full explanation of the study will be provided at this stage  (10min) 2.       An information pack will be sent to you by email, including a general information sheet to be completed (full name, age, height details etc.) All information collected during this study is stored securely, and kept strictly confidential. 3.       You will receive a follow-up call to: -          Discuss any questions you have relating to the study -          Confirm your interest in participating and arrange a date to visit the ultrasound laboratory 4.       You will need to sign the consent form before participation in the study can commence 5.       You will be required to attend a single data collection session taking approximately 90minutes

For Females and Males aged 18 to 110
Includes healthy volunteers
Locations: Auckland
By: Unitec Osteopathy