The SPACE programme aims to empower people to engage in physical activity during their recovery following myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. This research is particularly interested in the use of supported self-management strategies and the provision of safe, effective and evidence based physical activity interventions for people in the acute stages of their recovery.
The initial research in this programme explored patients' perspectives and experiences of engaging in physical activity after heart surgery. Subsequent projects have been developed in response to the needs and priorities identified by people with lived experience in these foundational studies.
Research Programme Principal Investigator: Dr Emily Gray
Contact: emily.gray@otago.ac.nz
Project Areas
Self-management Support to Facilitate Physical Activity Engagement in Cardiac Populations
This research aims to identify self-management support strategies that health professionals can use to empower people to engage in physical activity when recovering from cardiac surgery.
This research also aims to explore the needs of caregivers/whānau providing support for physical activity and the extent to which current practice or online resources utilise supported self-management strategies. Projects include:
Development of a self-management support programme to facilitate physical activity following cardiac surgery.
Dr Emily Gray., Dr Margot Skinner, Professor Leigh Hale, Mr Richard Bunton
Our dedicated study website: www.otago.ac.nz/heartbypass
Publications:
- 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
- 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
- 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
Perceptions and experiences of informal caregivers supporting patients to engage in physical activity after cardiac surgery.
Student researcher Shanelle Ward, supervised by Dr Emily Gray and Prof Leigh Hale.
Awards:
2022 University of Otago Physiotherapy Honours project Prize
Scoping review of websites providing information to facilitate people to self-management engagement in physical activity following cardiac events.
Student researcher Emily Bennett, supervised by Dr Emily Gray, Prof Leigh Hale and Dr Hemakumar Devan.
Funding:
Health Sciences Division studentship 2022/23
Patients' perceptions of websites providing information to facilitate people to self-manage their engagement in physical activity following cardiac events.
Student researcher Emily Bennett, supervised by Dr Emily Gray, Prof Leigh Hale and Dr Hemakumar Devan.
Funding:
Health Sciences Division studentship 2022/23
Physiotherapy Research Fund Grant-in-aid
Exploring physiotherapists perceptions and experiences of implementing self-management support in acute/hospital settings.
Student researcher Jenna Boyd, supervised by Dr Emily Gray and Dr Sarah Rhodes. 2023 University of Otago Physiotherapy Honours project.
Upper limb activity following cardiac surgery
This research aims to provide safe, evidence-based and effective upper limb activity interventions following cardiac surgery, including improving translation of evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice. Projects include:
Effectiveness of an online video resource to improve health professionals' knowledge of evidence-based upper limb activity guidelines post median sternotomy.
Led by Dr Emily Gray. Collaborators: Dr Sarah Rhodes, Prof Doa-El Ansary, Ms Samara Phillips, Ms Alison Mahoney, Dr Julie Adsett
Funding:
Cardiorespiratory Special Interest Group Physiotherapy NZ