Move Again Program (MAP)
MAP is a multidisciplinary research initiative that ultimately aims to deliver the highest international standard of exercise rehabilitation and recovery facilities and programs to Western Australians with neurological injury, in order to significantly improve their physical and mental health and well being. In the first instance, funding from the NRP's Stream 1 clinical arm is allowing MAP to focus on spinal cord injury (SCI).
The MAP Chief Investigators are:
- Prof Sarah Dunlop, Prof Robert Grove, Dr Barby Singer, Prof David Lloyd, Dr Brendan Lay, from the University of Western Australia
- Prof Frank Mastaglia and A/Prof Gary Thickbroom, from the Centre for Neuromuscular & Neurological Disorders
- Dr John Ker, A/Prof John Buchanan and A/Prof Garry Allison, from Royal Perth Hospital
- Prof Peter Hamer, from Notre Dame University Australia
Initially MAP engaged in a broad consultation process with SCI stakeholders in WA, before developing a research strategy and a range of specific aims. Information was gathered on what is happening globally in terms of research into SCI and exercise and the activities and resources available to the SCI community. The extensive literature reviewing and environmental scanning has provided MAP with a much clearer understanding of dynamics within this complex area:
MAP's Lead Investigator, Professor Sarah Dunlop, also wrote the following review article, Activity-dependent plasticity: implications for recovery after spinal cord injury [ 
PDF 0.7MB ].
One of the most important aspects of information gathering was the SCI survey, which commenced in March 2009. The Questionnaire examined the attitudes towards physical activity within the SCI community. The survey feedback indicated that irrespective of independence in the ability to walk or transfer, levels of participation in general activity and sport are limited following SCI, with significant barriers being reported. It was also clear that the issue of depression is significant (an issue the Schug et al and Byrnes et al research teams are working to address). Many people are understandably frustrated by the minimal opportunities to undertake ongoing exercise rehabilitation programs following discharge from hospital services. Following the survey, the MAP CIs have begun developing an on-line forum to allow people with SCI to assess and rate facilities and events within the community: The Oz Access Map.
MAP is continually looking at and developing effective methods of outcome assessment to ensure the efficacy of exercise protocols in current and upcoming studies can be accurately assessed. One such upper limb study is underway, involving the assessment of a series of gold standard scales (for tactile sensitivity, muscle function and hand function). Perth neuro-physiotherapists and an occupational therapist specialising in hand function are conducting this study, which is linked to other SCI upper limb research projects around Australia.
MAP investigators have now joined forces with other leading national SCI researchers and recently were successful in attracting a substantial grant to undertake multicentre randomised controlled trials into various protocols of physical activity in both acute and chronic SCI (the SCIPA program). SCIPA will help us better understand which types of exercise intervention are beneficial and help individuals with SCI make informed choices about the exercise and rehabilitation options they take up following discharge from hospital services. The MAP & SCIPA Summary of Progress [ PDF 0.1MB ], written in June 2010 by Prof Sarah Dunlop, provides further details.
