Associate Professor Jennifer Alison
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Qualifications: PhD, MSc(Lond) with Distinction. Dip Phty,Cert Cardiopulmonary Technology Positions held:
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Biography
Dr Jennifer Alison is an Associate Professor in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy, Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. She teaches the cardiopulmonary and scientific practice units of study in the undergraduate and graduate entry programs in physiotherapy.
Research areas include:
- interventions to improve exercise capacity and quality of life in people with lung disease, including COPD, cystic fibrosis and dust-related lung diseases;
- evaluation of exercise tests and exercise prescription for people with lung disease;
- physical therapies (including exercise) to improve mucus clearance;
- translation of research evidence into clinical practice, especially in rural and remote areas.
Assoc/Prof Alison leads the Lung and Heart Physiotherapy Research Group, University of Sydney and has strong collaborations with the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Assoc/Prof Alison is also a clinical specialist physiotherapist (Level 6) Department of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. As part of her keen interest in health care and particularly lung health she is the co-chair of the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Respiratory Network and Chair of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Committee of the Australian Lung Foundation (ALF). This latter committee developed the web-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Toolkit for clinicians.
Assoc/Prof Alison is also a member of the following committees: Community and Clinicians Expert Advisory Council of NSW Health; COPD Coordinating Committee of the Australian Lung Foundation (ALF); Executive Committee and Steering Committee for the Breathe Easy, Walk Easy project of the ALF. Assoc/Prof Alison has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, 7 books/book chapters and over 80 peer-reviewed abstracts, has been awarded over 40 research grants, supervises or has supervised 11 first class honours students (3 university medals), 3 Masters and 12 PhD students.
Teaching and Service Responsibilities
Undergraduate and graduate entry masters teaching and honours supervision in cardiopulmonary physiotherapy. Research higher degree supervision of Masters and PhD students.
Research Opportunities
Selected Publications
- Leung R, Alison JA, McKeough ZJ, Peters M (2010). Ground walk training improves functional exercise capacity more than cycle training in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a single blind randomised controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy. 56: 105-112
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Menadue C, Alison JA, Piper AJ, Wong KK, Hollier C, Ellis ER (2010). High and low level pressure support during walking in people with severe kyphoscoliosis. European Respiratory Journal accepted 24th Dec 2009, Online publication January 14, 2010, 10.1183/09031936.00115009
- Spencer L, Alison JA, McKeough (2010). Maintaining benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation: a randomised controlled trial. European Respiratory Journal 35:571-577
- Dwyer TJ, Alison JA, McKeough ZJ, Elkins MR, Bye PTP (2009). Evaluation of the SenseWear activity monitor during exercise in cystic fibrosis and in health. Respiratory Medicine 103:1511-1517
- Luxton NL, Alison JA, Wu J, Mackey MG (2008). Relationship between field walking tests and incremental cycle ergometry in COPD. Respirology 13:856-862
- McCarren B, Alison JA. (2006) Physiological effects of vibration in subjects with cystic fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal 27:1204-1209
- Alison J, Regnis J, Donnelly P, Adams R, Sullivan C, Bye PTP. (1998). End-expiratory lung volume during arm and leg exercise in normal subjects and cystic fibrosis. American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine 158:1450-1458
- Alison JA, Regnis JA, Donnelly PM, Adams RD, Sutton JR, Bye PTP. (1997). Evaluation of supported upper limb exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis. American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine 156: 1541-1548
Selected Grants
- Alison J, Jenkins S, Eastwood P, Jenkins C, Hillman D, McKeough Z. NHMRC Project Grant. Walking Training in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 2009-2011 $421,500
- Alison J, Bye P, Mellis C, Daviskas L. The Australian Respiratory Council Harry Windsor Grants Scheme. Exercise to enhance mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis. 2008 $51,330
- Alison J, Bye P, Eberl S, Mellis C, Daviskas L. The Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust. Does exercise enhance mucus clearance in adults with cystic fibrosis. 2008 $69,695
- Alison J, McKeough Z, Bye P, Corte P. Dust Diseases Board of NSW. Effect of exercise training on quality of life and exercise capacity in people with dust-related lung diseases. 2007-2008 $208,967
- D Elliott, S McKinley, J Alison, L Aitken, M King. NHMRC Project Grant. Testing a home based rehabilitation program for survivors of a critical illness: a randomised controlled trial. 2005-2008 $338,875