Centre for Rehabilitation Research in Oxford
New clinical tool will help patients with acute ankle sprain
Patients arriving at hospital emergency departments with acute ankle sprains can expect more timely advice and follow-up care in future after researchers in Oxford developed a new tool that will aid clinical decisions on treatment.
Read moreWe carry out important applied research improving the lives of patients through musculoskeletal rehabilitation. We are leading research into how exercise and physiotherapy can be used to support the rehabilitation of patients with acute musculoskeletal injures such as a fracture or sprain, and patients with chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or persistent back pain. We look at how structured physical activity can be offered as an effective method of rehabilitation for patients either alongside, or as an alternative to, standard medication.
Founded in 2012
PATIENT FOCUSED research
International IMPACT on healthcare
TEAM
A multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, hand therapists, CBT practitioners, clinical academics and clinical trials management staff
RESEARCH
We conduct a number of clinical trials and studies across a range of specialties and themes. Read more about our work, and link to trial-specific pages
THERAPIST RESOURCES
Our work focuses on the development of effective interventions for implementation in the NHS. Find out more and access the materials
Latest News
Pioneering study sets out to answer and address why osteoarthritis impacts patients differently
3 June 2026
Researchers from NDORMS are playing leading roles in a major new UK-wide research consortium aiming to improve treatment and outcomes for people living with osteoarthritis.
Our impact story: building physiotherapy research capacity in India
6 February 2026
Two short videos from partner institutions in India capture how an IndOx Grant helped turn a research visit into lasting physiotherapy research capacity and international collaboration.
Study finds tailored exercise programme feasible for adults over 80 with osteoarthritis
9 October 2025
A new NDORMS study has found that a tailored exercise programme for people aged 80 years and older with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis and other long term health conditions is both practical and acceptable, paving the way for a large clinical trial.
OCTRU - delivering answers to important clinical questions
7 March 2023
The Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) has received NIHR benchmarking results and offers excellent value for money according to the report
Celebrating Clinical Trials Day at NDORMS
20 May 2022
To mark Clinical Trials Day we take a look at some of the recent developments at NDORMS and celebrate the teams that make this important area of our research programme possible.
Selected Publications
The evidence for cognitive behavioural therapy in any condition, population or context: a meta-review of systematic reviews and panoramic meta-analysis.
Journal article
Fordham B. et al, (2021), Psychol Med, 51, 21 - 29
Musculoskeletal pain and loneliness, social support and social engagement among older adults: Analysis of the Oxford Pain, Activity and Lifestyle cohort.
Journal article
Nicolson PJA. et al, (2021), Musculoskeletal Care, 19, 269 - 277
Predicting patient-reported and objectively measured functional outcome 6 months after ankle fracture in people aged 60 years or over in the UK: prognostic model development and internal validation.
Journal article
Keene DJ. et al, (2019), BMJ Open, 9
Development and delivery of the BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults with Spinal Trouble) intervention for older adults with neurogenic claudication.
Journal article
Ward L. et al, (2019), Physiotherapy, 105, 262 - 274
Prognostic models for identifying risk of poor outcome in people with acute ankle sprains: the SPRAINED development and external validation study.
Journal article
Keene DJ. et al, (2018), Health Technol Assess, 22, 1 - 112
Dementia And Physical Activity (DAPA) trial of moderate to high intensity exercise training for people with dementia: randomised controlled trial.
Journal article
Lamb SE. et al, (2018), BMJ, 361
Web-based rehabilitation interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review.
Journal article
Srikesavan C. et al, (2019), J Telemed Telecare, 25, 263 - 275
