Associate Professor Lynley Bradnam

Biography

Associate Professor Lynley Bradnam joined the Department of Exercise Sciences in 2018. Dr Bradnam has held academic positions in Universities in New Zealand, United Kingdom and Australia since 1998. Her previous role was Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she established a new Master of Physiotherapy programme. Dr Bradnam is a New Zealand registered physiotherapist who completed her PhD in Exercise Sciences at the University of Auckland in 2011. Dr Bradnam holds an honorary role as advisor for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec).

Research | Current

My research interest is in physical activity and neurorehabilitation in movement disorders; Dystonia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and after stroke. A major focus is to enhance knowledge of functional impariments, activity limitations, and non-motor symptoms in people living with Cervical (neck) Dystonia (CD). My collaborators and I have led research demonstrating balance, gait and functional deficits, fear of falling and reduced vision-related quality of life in people living with CD. Recent research aims are to improve understanding of the impact of dystonia on sedentary behaviour and physical activity engagement in order to develop exercise interventions and guidelines specificly for the dystonia population. This research is a collaboration between researchers at this University and from UTS and Flinders University in Australia. Based on the discovery that the cerebellum is a key node in the dystonic brain neural network, our research probes for clinical signs of cerebeller dysfunction in CD by examining postural sway, gait kinematics, head tremor and oculomotor control. Previous work by Dr Bradnam utilised cerebellar neuromodulation to investiage the neural network model, and as a novel treatment intervention for CD. Other research areas include integrating exercise and self-management in neurorehabilitation, and developing an evidence-based classification system and treatment guidelines for allied health professionals manging people living with CD. The latter is an international collaboration with researchers in the United States and Europe. 

Teaching | Current

EXERSCI 710 Exercise Rehabilitation Course Coordinator

EXERSCI 715 Research Planning and Reporting Course Coordinator

EXERSCI103 Human Anatomy Course Coordinator

Postgraduate supervision

I currently supervise two Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) and one Master of Exercise Sciences students at the University of Auckland. I also co-supervise a PhD student enrolled at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). 

Project Details:

Investigating the cerebellar hypothesis in cervical dystonia. CEP Masters students Gareth Carter and Phillip Hargraves. Co-supervisors; Associate Professor Nick Gant, Dr Victor Borges, Dr Angus McMorland.

MS Get a Head Start: a program to improve engagement in physical activity compared to usual care in newly diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis patients. Masters in Exercise Sciences student Gilly Davy. Co-supervisors Dr Rebecca Meiring, Dr Jennifer Pereria.

An exploration of physical function, non-motor symptoms and treatment satisfaction in people living with cervical dystonia. PhD student Melani Boyce, UTS. Primary supervisor Professor Arianne Verhagen, Co-supervisor Dr Alana McCambridge, Advisor Emeritis Professor Colleen Canning (USyd). 

I can offer PhD supervision for the following projects:

Develop and assess effects of an individualised exercise and self-management intervention in people living with cervical dystonia.

Exploration of fatigue and fatigability in people living with cervical dystonia and other movement disorders

Cerebellar neuromodulation effects on head tremor, postural sway, gait and saccade adaptation in cervical dystonia

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in neurological movement disorders

Distinctions/Honours

Flinders University Vice Chancellors Award for Early Career Researchers 2011

Invited member of the Australian Dystonia Network (DNA) Advisory Board 2015-2018

Areas of expertise

Physiotherapy

Neurorehabilitation

Dystonia

Movement Disorders

Professional practice for allied health 

Committees/Professional groups/Services

Acting Chair and member of the Research Committee, Department of Exercise Sciences

Department representative on the Faculty Research Steering Group (Acting)

Member of the Post Graduate Committee, Department of Exercise Sciences

New Zealand Registered Physiotherapist