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What's Neurological Physiotherapy?

Neurological physiotherapists are experts in analysing how the impairments from a neurological condition impact on your function, and then develop a therapy plan for you to achieve your goals. 

 

Neurological rehabilitation can be provided for all neurological conditions including:

  • Stroke

  • Traumatic brain injuries

  • Brain tumours

  • Spinal cord injuries

  • Functional neurological disorders

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome and other demyelinating conditions

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Examples of the goals we work towards include (but not limited to):

  • Learning how to walk independently

  • Being able to use your arm in daily tasks

  • Being able to transfer out of bed with less assistance

  • Preventing falls

  • Training family and carers

  • Reducing your dizziness

  • Returning to running

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We are an evidence-based profession and strongly link our practice to what's been shown to work in research trials. 

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At Cortex Neuro Rehab, we are experts in applying the latest evidence into our practice for the Perth Neurological Community. 

What's an APA Neurological Physiotherapist?

Not all physios are the same, and it's especially true in neurological physiotherapy.

 

Treating people with neurological conditions can be tricky, and it's important that your physiotherapist has the knowledge, skills and experience to provide the best care to meet your needs. 

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Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Titled Neurological Physiotherapists have been awarded this distinction through the demonstration of skills and knowledge at an advanced level of practice. In my case this was achieved by demonstrating substantial clinical experience (over 12 years at the time) and then completing a series of exams with a final interview. 

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As an APA Neurological Physiotherapist and member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, I have made a commitment to lifelong continuing education to maintain my practice at an advanced level, and to give back to the profession by educating and mentoring the next generation of neurological physiotherapists. 

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Because of these principles, at Cortex Neuro Rehab you can be assured that you'll receive the highest standard of care. 

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My Qualifications

2019- current

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Edith Cowan University

My PhD has focused on improving a large rehabilitation service's ability to provide evidence-based upper limb rehabilitation after stroke. This has involved educating, training and supporting over 100 physiotherapists and occupational therapist to become skilled at delivering constraint-induced movement therapy to stroke survivors- a very effective therapy to improve arm function. This study is due for completion in 2024 and I have presented preliminary findings at national and international conferences. 

2012-2013

Graduate Diploma in Neurological Rehabilitation

University of Western Australia

This highly acclaimed post-graduate neurological rehabilitation course provided contemporary knowledge and skills in managing all neurological conditions. We covered the latest evidence for providing rehabilitation, emerging technologies and the impact of living with a neurological condition across the lifespan. The practical components of this course taught the hands-on skills required to become an advanced neurological physiotherapist. 

2005-2008

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

La Trobe University (Melbourne)

This undergraduate degree provided the foundations from which my neurological journey began. 

My Research

Research publications

  • Weerakkody, A., Godecke, E., & Singer, B. (2024). Investigating the acceptability of modified constraint-induced movement therapy among stroke survivors and carers: A qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2361808

  • Weerakkody, A., White, J., Hill, C., Godecke, E., & Singer, B. (2023). Delivering constraint-induced movement therapy in stroke rehabilitation requires informed stakeholders, sufficient resources and organisational buy-in: A mixed-methods systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 69(4), 249-259. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2023.08.007

  • Weerakkody, A., Emmanuel, R., White, J., Godecke, E., & Singer, B. (2023). Unlocking the restraint-Development of a behaviour change intervention to increase the provision of modified constraint-induced movement therapy in stroke rehabilitation. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12896

Conference Presentations

  • World Congress of NeuroRehabilitation- Vancouver, Canada (May 2024)

    • Unlocking the restraint- development of a behaviour change intervention to increase provision of modified constraint-induced movement therapy in stroke rehabilitation.​

    • Investigating the acceptability of modified constraint-induced movement therapy among stroke survivors and carers: A qualitative study (Poster)

  • IGNITE: Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference- Brisbane (Oct 2023)

    • Implementation of constraint-induced movement therapy is about playing the long game: a qualitative systematic review (Winner Best Clinician Researcher Award- Neurology Stream)​

  • Stroke Society of Australasia/SmartStrokes Joint Conference (Perth 2021)​

    • Therapist and manager perspectives of modified constraint-induced movement therapy: a qualitative study mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework​

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