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Dear all
An opportunity has arisen at Plymouth University for a PhD studentship - please see the advert below and respond to Dr Joanne Paton or Prof Jon Marsden as per the advert. Please also note the closing date at the end of this month:

PhD Studentship
Title: Balance dysfunction in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy; the development of a targeted training programme.

Plymouth University – School of Health Professions
This studentship is based in Plymouth

We are inviting applications for this Department of Health funded internship programme and PhD studentship. The internship and studentship will cover tuition fees plus an annual stipend of £12,000pa for three years.
Research and clinical training will be provided as part of a bespoke and comprehensive internship programme and then continue for the duration of the PhD studentship. Successful applicants will have access to the state of the art, Human Movement and Function Laboratory (School of Health Professions, Plymouth University) and benefit from a strong multi-disciplinary supervisory team with specialist clinical knowledge of podiatry and physiotherapy practice. The student will be joining an expansive postgraduate community and several other postgraduate students already members of the Rehabilitation Research Group (http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/dynamic.asp?page=schoolsResearch&type=all&code=3301&title=School of Health Professions) within the Centre of Health and Social Care Innovation, Plymouth University.
Project Description: Poor balance is common in people with diabetes and is a strong risk factor for falls. Many factors cause poor balance such as impaired vision and peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) occurs in up to 30% of people with diabetes, it can lead to distal lower limb sensory loss and weakness. Deficits in impaired distal sensation will result in a need to use other sensations for balance. Vision plays a dominant role as highlighted by a positive Romberg’s test. However, vision alone cannot distinguish between self-motion and motion of the environment, and may result in balance difficulties in specific situations (e.g. in crowds). The effectiveness of other sensations such as vestibular signals and proximal proprioceptive information may be limited by a difficulty in interpreting the effects of changes in head and proximal joint position on whole body orientation without additional information from distal joints. Fixing the ankles using ankle supports may improve balance and balance confidence, by not only reducing unwanted motion but also allowing more efficient interpretation of proximal proprioceptive and vestibular information. Understanding the causes of impaired balance in people with DPN, how people use remaining sensory information and the impact of orthotics will allow us to design an individualised targeted rehabilitation package.
Entry Requirements: Applicants must hold a strong first degree (2:1 or above) in podiatry, physiotherapy, biomechanics or similar. A CRB check will be undertaken prior to commencement of the post.
Closing Date: 31st January 2012
Start Date: 1st April 2012
For informal enquiries please contact Dr Joanne Paton joanne.paton@plymouth.ac.uk Tel: 01752 588845 or Professor Jon Marsden jonathan.marsden@plymouth.ac.uk Tel: 01752 587590
Formal applications can be made by following this link: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/postgraduate
For additional information on the application process please contact Mrs Sarah Carne Research Administrator, Email: sarah.carne@plymouth.ac.uk , Tel 01752 585406.

 

ps: this IS the official opinion of Plymouth University contrary to my signature!

 

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