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Rebecca Hemming

Miss Rebecca Hemming

Senior Lecturer: Physiotherapy

School of Healthcare Sciences

Email
HemmingRL@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29206 88599
Campuses
Eastgate House, Room 13.20, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AB
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

Research Interests

  • The main focus of my research is to investigate spinal pain and dysfunction during functional movement. This includes: neuromuscular control, muscle imbalance, disc degeneration, vertebral osteoarthritis, motor control dysfunction and biomechanics to better understand underlying mechanisms of pain and to inform effective rehabilitation and prevention strategies.
  • Our research group focuses on delivering effective treatments for specific subgroups of people with low back pain and spinal disorders using targeted, biomechanically based interventions.
  • My current projects are establishing spinal fluoroscopy protocols to image dynamic spinal motion (working collaboratively with Bournemouth University, the School of Engineering (Cardiff University) and clinicians.
  • I am also currently working on collaborative projects with Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen) and The University of Birmingham exploring manual handling biomechanics and preparedness for the workplace in allied health professionals.
  • I have previously conducted research exploring the impact of physical activity and community-based activities (such as walking groups and exercise classes) for homeless and vulnerably-housed adults.

Current Roles

Executive Committee Member for the Society of Back Pain Research HOME | sbpr

Member - Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre Versus Arthritis, Cardiff University (previous chair of the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI&E) Committee) Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis - Cardiff University

Committee Member of DISCS (Discovering Innovative Solutions for Conditions of the Spine) https://www.discsfoundation.org/

Executive Committee Member for CITER (Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair) https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cardiff-institute-tissue-engineering-repair

    Publication

    2021

    2020

    2019

    2018

    2016

    2015

    2014

    2013

    Articles

    Conferences

    Thesis

    Research

    Research interests

    My main area of research is evaluating the biomechanics of functional movement in people with non-specific chronic low back pain. My PhD study, 'Regional Spinal Kinematics and Muscle Activity in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP) during Functional Tasks’ identified specific biomechanical differences in movement behaviours in subgroups of NSCLBP individuals, which is important for informing the development of targeted interventions. My work explores the biomechanics of chronic musculoskeletal conditions to better understand underlying mechanisms of pain, to inform effective rehabilitation and prevention strategies. Currently I am exploring the application of fluoroscopy as a tool for understanding functional movement of the spine in chronic low back pain.

    I am also currently working on collaborative projects with Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen) and The University of Birmingham exploring manual handling biomechanics and preparedness for the workplace in allied health professionals.

    I have previously conducted research exploring the impact of physical activity and community-based activities (such as walking groups and exercise classes) for homeless and vulnerably-housed adults.

    I am a member of the Society for Back Pain Research, the Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis (Cardiff University), the Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER) and DISCS (Discovering Innovative Solutions for Conditions of the Spine) (https://www.discsfoundation.org/).

    Teaching

    Teaching - I am module lead for HC3294 (Conducting Research in Physiotherapy) and co-lead for HC2218 Reseach 1 for the BSc Physiotherapy Programme. My primary teaching involves teaching research methods, statistics, ethics, biomechanics and manual handling at BSc level. At MSc level I teach clinical kinesiology and research methods.

    Project Supervision - I supervise BSc and MSc projects with a special focus on posture and low back pain evaluated using kinematic techniques and electromyography. I supervise a number of MSc empirical research and systematic review projects. I currently supervise three PhD students covering mixed methods and qualitative methodologies in the fields of physical activity and chronic pain conditions.

    Biography

    Qualifications

    2016 PhD (Healthcare Sciences), Cardiff University

    2016 Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (Modules 1, 2 and 3 – 40 Credits)

    2008 BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Cardiff University

    Appointments

    2020-present: Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University

    2013-2020: Lecturer, Cardiff University

    2010-2013: Physiotherapist (Private physiotherapy clinic, Cardiff)

    2008-2011: Physiotherapist, Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board

    Professional memberships

    • Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
    • Health and Care Professionals Council
    • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
    • Society for Back Pain Research

    Supervisions

    I am a physiotherapist and have expertise primarily in quantitative methods particularly in biomechanics and low back pain.  I am interested in supervising students in the areas of:

    • Low back pain
    • Subclassification approaches
    • Functional spinal movement
    • Trunk kinematics and muscle activity
    • Motor Control
    • Chronic Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Physical activity and exercise
    • Functional imaging
    • Development of targeted interventions for musculoskeletal disorders

    Current supervision

    Fahda Alshiakh

    Fahda Alshiakh

    Research student

    Mohammad Mandani

    Mohammad Mandani

    Research student