Centre for Rehabilitation Research in Oxford

• Development of a new talking group therapy for patients with chronic low back. This is the most cost-effective treatment available to date and has long term benefits.
• Helping the NHS to resolve the debate around the treatment of whiplash injuries.
• Showing plaster casting is the most effective management for severe ankle sprains.
• Hand exercises are an important adjunct to expensive medication for rheumatoid arthritis (SARAH Trial).

Context

There are approximately 9.6 million adults in England with musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain or arthritis. This costs the UK economy around £7.4 billion a year through lost working days. There is evidence demonstrating that early intervention with physiotherapy delivers significant, cost-effective clinical improvements for these patients.

Our research

We are currently undertaking work on a range of projects to develop, evaluate and introduce modern therapy approaches for application in the NHS, in the UK. 

Our research focuses on creating effective interventions that can be utilised by health professionals and patients and our work spans a range of musculoskeletal conditions, patient populations and approaches to rehabilitation.

Led by Professor Sallie Lamb, RRIO is a multidisciplinary group representing a range of disciplines including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise science, cognitive behavioural therapy, health psychology, sociology and statistics. The team have significant clinical experience and expertise in a range of research methodologies. Our portfolio comprises largely of studies which evaluate complex interventions through large pragmatic randomised controlled trials, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).