Dr Emily Gray

Contact Details

Phone: +64 3 479 7936
Email: emily.gray@otago.ac.nz

University Links

School of Physiotherapy

Position

Lecturer

Qualifications

BPhty PGDipSportsMed PGCert Higher Education PhD

Research summary

Improving access to cardiac rehabilitation and empowering people to engage in physical activity

Teaching

Undergraduate cardiopulmonary physiotherapy
Undergraduate physical activity (including exercise prescription) for physiotherapy practice
Research supervision
Use of simulation to prepare students for clinical practice in the inpatient / hospital setting

Memberships

PNZ Cardiorespiratory Special Interest Group member
Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) member
Otago PNZ branch committee member (Education Officer)

Clinical

Inpatient / acute cardiorespiratory physiotherapy

Research

As a cardiorespiratory physiotherapist and researcher Emily is passionate about empowering people to engage in physical activity, particularly those who have undergone cardiac surgery. Key areas of interest are ensuring that cardiac rehabilitation services are accessible, as well as being person and whānau centered.

Emily’s research also focuses on looking for innovative ways to incorporate self-management support principles into acute care management and cardiac rehabilitation. Emily values collaboration with end users, including patients and their whānau, and health care professionals to ensure that interventions are designed to meet the needs of patients and can be implemented in the clinical and real-world setting.

Current research projects

Exploring the perspectives and experiences of informal caregivers of supporting their spouse or family / whānau member to engage in physical activity following hospital discharge after cardiac surgery.

Previous research projects

Exploring people’s perspectives and experiences of engaging in physical activity during the early recovery period following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
Preparation and support for physical activity following hospital discharge after CABG surgery: A survey of current practice in New Zealand
Development of a self-management support programme to prepare and support people to engage in physical activity following hospital discharge after CABG surgery

Publications

Galea, O. A., Gray, E. A., Kennedy, E., Dick, M., Quinn, D., & Sole, G. (2023). A streamlined approach to identifying adults suited to neck rehabilitation acutely following concussion: Protocol for a feasibility study. Proceedings of the New Zealand Manipulative Physiotherapists Association (NZMPA) Biennial Conference. (pp. 27). Retrieved from https://www.nzmpa.org.nz Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gray, E., Skinner, M., & Hale, L. (2023). Patient-perceived factors that facilitate physical activity engagement following CABG surgery: A behavioural analysis using the COM-B model and theoretical domains framework. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 32(Suppl. 2), O04. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.04.210 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Lewthwaite, N. A. B., Gray, E. A., & Skinner, M. A. (2023). Exploring clinical learning experiences of novice physiotherapy students in a hospital setting. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, 39(10), 2131-2143. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2069617 Journal - Research Article

Hale, L., Perry, M., & Gray, E. (2022). Supported self-management: Why it's hot and what it's not. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(3, Suppl.), (pp. S42). doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.3.07 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gray, E., Skinner, M., Hale, L., & Bunton, R. (2022). Preparation and support for physical activity engagement following CABG surgery in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(3, Suppl.), (pp. S6). doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.3.07 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2022

Journal - Research Article

Dassanayake, S., Sole, G., Wilkins, G., Gray, E., & Skinner, M. (2022). Effectiveness of physical activity and exercise on ambulatory blood pressure in adults with resistant hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention, 29, 275-286. doi: 10.1007/s40292-022-00517-6

Gray, E. A., Skinner, M. A., Hale, L. A., & Bunton, R. W. (2022). Preparation and support for physical activity following hospital discharge after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A survey of current practice in New Zealand. Physiotherapy Research International, 27, e1940. doi: 10.1002/pri.1940

Gray, E., Smith, C., Bunton, R., & Skinner, M. (2022). Perceptions and experiences of engaging in physical activity following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, 38(13), 2841-2855. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2021.1989733

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hale, L., Perry, M., & Gray, E. (2022). Supported self-management: Why it's hot and what it's not. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(3, Suppl.), (pp. S42). doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.3.07

2021

Journal - Research Article

Gray, E., Dassanayake, S., Sangelaji, B., Hale, L., & Skinner, M. (2021). Factors influencing physical activity engagement following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A mixed methods systematic review. Heart & Lung, 50, 589-598. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.04.006

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Gray, E., Skinner, M., Hale, L., & Bunton, R. (2021). Preparation and support for physical activity engagement following CABG surgery: A survey of current practice in New Zealand. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 30(Suppl. 2), (pp. S60). doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2021.05.008

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Gray, E. (2021). Facilitating physical activity engagement during the early recovery period following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12322

2020

Journal - Research Article

Draper, O., Goh, I., Huang, C., Kibblewhite, T., Le Quesne, P., Smith, K., Gray, E., & Skinner, M. (2020). Psychosocial interventions to optimize recovery of physical function and facilitate engagement in physical activity during the first three months following CABG surgery: A systematic review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 25(5-6), 381-398. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1832714

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Gray, E., Skinner, M., Hale, L., & Bunton, R. (2020, December). Preparing and supporting people to engage in physical activity following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A survey of current practice in New Zealand. Verbal presentation at the School of Physiotherapy Postgraduate Research Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2019

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Gray, E. (2019, December). Perceptions of engaging in physical activity in adults following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Verbal presentation at the School of Physiotherapy Postgraduate Research Symposium: Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2018

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Miller, L., Skinner, M., & Gray, E. (2018). An investigation of attitudes to exercise and barriers to physical activity in a cohort of adults with obesity. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 80). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference

Lewthwaite, N., Gray, E., & Skinner, M. (2018). Preparing physiotherapy students for clinical practice: A comparison between behaviourist and constructivist approaches. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 72). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference

Gray, E., Skinner, M., Smith, C., & Bunton, R. (2018). Perceptions and experiences of engaging in physical activity in adults following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Proceedings of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Conference. (pp. 58). Retrieved from https://pnz.org.nz/conference

Miller, L. R., Skinner, M. A., & Gray, E. A. (2018). Attitudes and barriers to physical activity and levels of physical activity in adults with obesity consuming very low calorie diets. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1470), (pp. 112-113). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

2017

Journal - Research Article

Chow, A. Y. P., Creagh, M. F., Ganley, M. J., Kelly, G. C., Pranjoto, B., Gray, E., & Skinner, M. A. (2017). The use of key health questions for patient initial assessment in physiotherapy clinical practice. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 45(2), 75-89. doi: 10.15619/NZJP/45.2.04

2016

Journal - Research Article

Diong, C., Jones, P. P., Tsuchimochi, H., Gray, E. A., Hughes, G., Inagaki, T., Bussey, C. T., … Schwenke, D. O. (2016). Sympathetic hyper-excitation in obesity and pulmonary hypertension: Physiological relevance to the 'obesity paradox'. International Journal of Obesity, 40, 938-946. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2016.33

2014

Journal - Research Article

Shirai, M., Tsuchimochi, H., Nagai, H., Gray, E., Pearson, J. T., Sonobe, T., … Schwenke, D. O. (2014). Pulmonary vascular tone is dependent on the central modulation of sympathetic nerve activity following chronic intermittent hypoxia. Basic Research in Cardiology, 109, 432. doi: 10.1007/s00395-014-0432-y

Han, S. Y., Gray, E., Hughes, G., Brown, C. H., & Schwenke, D. O. (2014). Increased sympathetic drive during the onset of hypertension in conscious Cyp1a1-Ren2 rats. Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 466(3), 459-466. doi: 10.1007/s00424-013-1338-5

2013

Journal - Research Article

Gray, E. A., Tsuchimochi, H., Pearson, J. T., Sonobe, T., Fujii, Y., Yoshimoto, M., … Schwenke, D. O. (2013). Assessment of the serotonin pathway as a therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 20(Pt 5), 756-764. doi: 10.1107/s0909049513021213

Shirai, M., Beard, M., Pearson, J. T., Sonobe, T., Tsuchimochi, H., Fujii, Y., Gray, E., … Schwenke, D. O. (2013). Impaired pulmonary blood flow distribution in congestive heart failure assessed using synchrotron radiation microangiography. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 20(3), 441-448. doi: 10.1107/S0909049513007413

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Diong, C., Gray, E., Jones, P., & Schwenke, D. (2013). Increased sympathetic activity in obesity may protect against pulmonary hypertension. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1386). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Diong, C. T., Gray, E. A., Jones, P., & Schwenke, D. O. (2013, August). Can sympathetic hyperexcitation in obesity protect against pulmonary hypertension? Verbal presentation at the Medical Sciences Congress (MedSci), Queenstown, New Zealand.

2011

Journal - Research Article

Schwenke, D. O., Gray, E. A., Pearson, J. T., Sonobe, T., Ishibashi-Ueda, H., Campillo, I., … Shirai, M. (2011). Exogenous ghrelin improves blood flow distribution in pulmonary hypertension: Assessed using synchrotron radiation microangiography. Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 462(3), 397-406. doi: 10.1007/s00424-011-0992-8

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Beard, M., Schwenke, D., Gray, E., & Campillo, I. (2011). Pulmonary hypertension is accentuated in heart failure: Assessed using synchrotron radiation microangiography. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1335). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1335/4693/content.pdf

2010

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Parnell, W. R., & Gray, E. A. (2010). Nutrition for NZ kids. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand, 34, (pp. 55-57). [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Schwenke, D. O., Gray, E. A., Pearson, J. T., Kangawa, K., Umetani, K., Sonobe, T., & Shirai, M. (2010, November-December). Ghrelin prevents adverse changes in pulmonary blood flow following the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension by modulating endogenous endothelin-1: Assessed using microangiography. Poster session presented at the Medical Sciences Congress: A New Decade of Discovery (MedSciNZ), Queenstown, New Zealand.