Current research
| Area | Study | Role | Collaborators |
| Aged care | Knowledge brokers for evidence translation to improve quality use of medicines in residential aged care (EMBRACE) | Partner and Chief Investigator | Monash University (Centre for Medicine Use & Safety), University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Flinders University |
| Aged care | OPERATE: Older Persons Early Recognition Access and Treatment in Emergencies | Associate Investigator | Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fiona Stanely Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, St John Ambulance WA, University of Western Australia , Curtin University, Edith Cowan University |
| Aged care | Outcomes in aged care: Evaluation of the Brightwater Outcomes Measurement Framework - Aged Care and measuring its impact | Lead | Internal |
| Aged care | Reducing COVID-19 related risk in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A WA sector-wide approach for the culturally and linguistically diverse workforce; and residents with cognitive impairment | Lead | Bethanie, BaptistCare, Amana Living, Juniper, University of Western Australia |
| Aged care | SENSEcog aged care: Hearing and vision support to improve quality of life for people living with dementia in residential aged care | Partner and Chief Investigator | University of Queensland, Oxford University, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia, Trinity College, Federation University, LaTrobe University, Murdoch University, Macquarie University |
| Aged care | Telehealth medication simplification: A Nurse Practitioner and pharmacist led intervention in residential aged care | Lead | Monash University (Centre for Medicine Use and Safety) |
| Aged Care | The Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) | Partner and Associate Investigator | University of NSW, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong |
| Brain Injury and Aged care | Web-based support for youth impacted by a parent with an Acquired Brain Injury or Early Onset Dementia | Lead | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain Injury |
Development and evaluation of a novel, sector-driven, online intervention to improve psychosocial adjustment to traumatic brain injury and enable continuity of care from acute to chronic injury |
Lead | University of Western Australia, State Head Injury Unit |
| Brain Injury | Measuring client outcomes and service impact of the brain injury rehabilitation services Stage 3: Service model evaluation Stage 4: Measuring client outcomes and service impact |
Lead | Internal |
| Brain Injury |
Measuring the complexity and outcomes of brain injury rehabilitation and support services at Brightwater: The Acquired Brain Injury Community REhabilitation and Support Services OuTcomes CohoRT (ABI-RESTaRT) Study: Study 6 |
Lead | Internal |
| Clinical Data | Optimising clinical documentation and data systems (OPTIMISE) | Lead | Internal |
| Disability |
Improving independence and quality of life, and reducing the cost of care, for catastrophically injured clients through enhanced assessment of continence needs and delivery of services |
Lead | Insurance Commission of Western Australia |
| Mental Health |
Mental health services for adults with acquired brain injury undergoing post-acute neurorehabilitation |
Lead | University of Western Australia |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | An informatics approach to predict outcomes and monitor intervention efficacy following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury | Partner and Associate Investigator | Curtin University, Monash University, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Flinders University, University of Cambridge, Griffith University |
Current student research
| Area | Study | Role | Collaborators |
| Brain injury | PhD: Investigation of community participation outcomes for adults with acquired brain injury after discharge from post-acute rehabilitation: A mixed-methods study | PhD Supervisor | Curtin University (School of Allied Health) |
| Brain injury | PhD: Augmenting communication among persons with aphasia: Can gesture lend a hand? | Partner | The University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain injury | PhD: The relationship between thinking skills and daily functioning in adults with brain injuries | Partner | The University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain injury | PhD: An investigation of apathy as a predictor of functional outcomes in individuals with acquired brain injury | Partner | The University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain injury | PhD: Prospective memory as a neuropsychological predictor of outcome in adults with acquired brain injury | Partner | The University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain injury |
PhD: Improving emotion regulation: A pilot study of a group intervention |
Partner | The University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
Completed research
2022
| Area | Study | Role | Collaborators |
| Aged Care | Outcome measures in aged care: Development of the Brightwater Aged Care Outcomes Measurement Framework | Lead | Internal |
| Aged Care | Quantifying contact networks for COVID-19 outbreak preparedness | Chief Investigator | Curtin University, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Melbourne, University of Western Australia |
| Aged Care | Sentinel surveillance DETECT study: Validation of regular saliva-based COVID screening of critical workers using automated RT-LAMP surveillance | Co-lead and Chief Investigator | Curtin University, Avicena |
| Brain Injury and Aged care | Interventions to support children and youth impacted by a family member with an acquired brain injury or younger onset dementia | Lead | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) |
| Brain Injury |
Complexity of ABI study – Stage 2: Evaluation of ABI client functional and psychosocial outcomes (ABI-RESTaRT) (1991-2020) |
Lead | Internal |
| Huntington’s Disease | Nutrition and Huntington’s Disease: Comparison between specialised and non- specialised facilities | Lead | Internal |
| Oral Health |
Patterns and predictors of dental hospitalisations in patients with acquired brain injury from pre-injury to acute and post-acute injury: a cohort study in Western Australia, 1991-2016 |
Lead | Internal |
Brightwater Research Centre Annual Report 2021 - 2022
2021
| Area | Study | Role | Collaborators |
| Aged Care | Comparison of nutrition in off-site and on-site cooking in disability and residential aged care facilities | Lead | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science), Oxford University (Oxford Centre for Emotions & Affective Neuroscience) |
| Aged Care | Feasibility trial of point-of-care testing for the routine screening, monitoring and management of COVID-19 and Influenza in aged care | Lead | Drajon |
| Aged Care | GoSign — An innovative model to reduce social isolation for residents with hearing loss | Partner | Adult Better Hearing WA Services, Edith Cowan University |
| Aged Care | Nutritional composition of menus in residential aged care facilities | Lead | Internal |
| Aged Care | Palliative Care service model for aged and disability services | Lead | Internal |
| Aged Care and Disability | Prevalence of wight loss and malnutrition in residential aged care and disability | Lead | Internal |
| Brain Injury | Measuring the complexity and outcomes of brain injury rehabilitation and support services at Brightwater (‘Complexity of ABI’ study) | Lead | Internal |
| Brain Injury | Quality of life and functional independence in individuals undergoing community-based rehabilitation post acquired brain injury | Lead | University of Western Australia |
| Huntington’s Disease | Nutrition and Huntington’s Disease: Comparison between specialised and non- specialised facilities | Lead | Internal |
Brightwater Research Centre Annual Report 2020 - 2021
2020
| Study | Collaborators | Years |
| The cognitive basis of resilience in older adults living in the community |
University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science), Oxford University (Oxford Centre for Emotions & Affective Neuroscience) | 2020 |
| The BAN-Dep Trial: A trial to decrease the prevalence of depression in older Australians | University of Western Australia (Medical School), University of Melbourne (Psychiatry), University of York (Psychiatry), Melbourne Health (Aged Care) | 2020 |
| Evaluation of the Brightwater residential aged care facility refurbishment |
Internal | 2020 |
| Assessment of food and mealtime satisfaction in residential aged care; a trigger for change | Internal | 2019-2020 |
| Food additives and severe dementia in the elderly: Effect on agitation | Internal | 2019-2020 |
| Measures of nutrition across Brightwater residential aged care | Internal | 2019-2020 |
| Prevalence, impact and management of cognitive sensory impairment in people living in supported residential care settings in Australia, UK & South Africa | University of Manchester, Ear Science Institute Australia, Lions Eye Institute | 2019-2020 |
| Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of multimorbidity in adults with acquired brain injury at admission to staged community-based rehabilitation | Internal | 2019-2020 |
| Quality of life after an acquired brain injury: A retrospective analysis of Brightwater clients undergoing graduated slow-stream rehabilitation | University of Western Australia (Medicine School) | 2017-2020 |
| The role of the Nurse Practitioner in managing medication complexity | Internal | 2019-2020 |
| PhD: A multidimensional investigation of metacognition and its association with outcomes in individuals with acquired brain injury | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) | 2018-2020 |
| PhD: Neuropsychological predictors of outcome following acquired brain injury in adults | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) | 2016-2020 |
2019
| Study | Collaborators | Years |
| A discourse intervention for people with traumatic brain injury | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2018-2019 |
| Advance care planning for persons with dementia through supported decision making | University of Western Australia (School of Primary, Aboriginal and rural health; School of Psychology; Rural Clinical School), University of Sydney University of Technology Sydney, SA Health | 2016-2019 |
| Brightwater approach to Palliative Care: An evidence based, organisation wide service model | Internal | 2018-2019 |
| Clinical communication and handover in Residential Aged Care | Edith Cowan University (School of Medical and Health Sciences) | 2019 |
| Continence and brain injury: Improving independence and quality of life, and reducing cost of care | Insurance Commission of Western Australia | 2018-2019 |
| Executive functions and discourse performance in people with cognitive-communication deficits | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2019 |
| GRASP Program - Evaluation of occupational based upper limb rehabilitation with Brightwater clients | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2018-2019 |
| Identification and recommendations of educational resources for families of persons with acquired brain injury | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2018-2019 |
| Improving cognitive and functional capacity older people through an exercise prescription approach | University of South Australia (School of Health Sciences), Edith Cowan University, Helping Hand (SA) | 2017-2019 |
| Knowledge attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals in the management of sensory impairment with concurrent dementia | University of Western Australia (School of Medicine) | 2019 |
| Music-based GAIT training in an acquired brain injury population | University of Western Australia (School of Human Sciences) | 2019 |
| Occupational therapists’ perceptions of risk in aged care | Edith Cowan University (School of Medical and Health Sciences) | 2019 |
| Randomised trial to improve the quality of life of people with dementia (RAPID trial) | University of Western Australia (Western Australia Centre for Health & Ageing) | 2017-2019 |
| Residential aged care workers’ perspectives on the dignity of risk | Edith Cowan University (School of Medical and Health Sciences) | |
| The influence of type of stroke on rehabilitation outcomes in a community setting: Considerations for rehabilitation planning | Internal | 2019 |
| The relationship between thinking skills & daily functioning in adults with brain injuries | University of Western Australia (School of Psychological Science) | 2014-2019 |
| Time between injury and community rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: Impact on functional outcomes and independence | Kings College London (Regional Hyperacute Rehabilitation Unit, Northwick Park Hospital) | 2019 |
| Transforming risk: Understanding positive risk for people with a disability or acquired brain injury | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2018-2019 |
| Wound management clinical trial for clients receiving care under Home Care Packages | Internal | 2019 |
| Translating evidence-based outcomes measures into practice at Brightwater Disability services | Internal | 2018-2019 |
| Understanding comorbidities of people with an acquired brain injury to inform treatment decisions | Internal | 2018-2019 |
| Using assistive technologies to improve independence and reduce cost of care for residents (and people) with a traumatic brain injury undergoing community rehabilitation | Insurance Commission of Western Australia | 2018-2019 |
| Yarning together: Developing a culturally secure rehabilitation approach for Aboriginal Australians after brain injury | Edith Cowan University (School of Medical and Health Sciences) | 2018-2019 |
2018
| Study | Collaborators | Years |
| Can using assistive technology for continence difficulties have a positive impact on psychosocial wellbeing in the traumatic brain injury population? | Curtin University (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science) | 2018 |
| Identifying barriers and priority areas for building workforce capacity in pharmacoepidemiology research | University of Western Australia (School of Population and Global Health), University of New South Wales (Centre for Big Data Research in Health) | 2017-2018 |
| Investigating the perspectives of older adults in residential aged care on issues related to oral health-related quality of life | Edith Cowan University (School of Medical and Health Sciences) | 2018 |
| The impact of a tailored dance program on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical function, attitudes and perceived benefits for older adults living in residential aged care facilities | Curtin University (School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science) | 2018 |
| Professional views and experiences in facilitating decision making among people with dementia | University of Western Australia (School of Primary, Aboriginal and rural health; School of Psychology; Office of research enterprise), University of Sydney (Faculty of Law), HammondCare (NSW), Helping Hand (SA) | 2016-2018 |
| Understanding community views on supported decision making | University of Western Australia (School of Primary, Aboriginal and rural health; School of Psychology; Office of research enterprise, Law School, Rural Clinical School), University of Sydney (Faculty of Law), University of Western Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, HammondCare (NSW), Helping Hand (SA) | 2016-2018 |
2017
| Study | Collaborators | Years |
| An interprofessional education toolkit for staff in residential aged care | University of Western Australia (School of Population Health; School of Medicine; Office of Research Enterprise) | 2016-2017 |
| Increasing productivity opportunities for people with acquired brain injury: Evaluating the impact of the Giving Back Program | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2016-2017 |
| Investigating the impact of ‘Nil by Mouth’ recommendations on prevalence of cerumen impaction and hearing acuity in elderly adults | University of Western Australia (Medical School) | 2017 |
| Matching expectations to experiences of family members of people with acquired brain injury after the first year of rehabilitation | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2016-2017 |
| Oral hygiene in residential aged care facilities: Perspectives of carers and stakeholders | University of Western Australia (School of Medicine) | 2017 |
| Self-efficacy to complete personal self-care activities of daily living among women with acquired brain injury: Evaluating the outcomes of the Pride and Vanity project | Curtin University (School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology) | 2016-2017 |
| Understanding the impact of socialisation robots on the social engagement of older adults with cognitive decline | University of Western Australia (School of Surgery); Surgical Realities Ltd; Alzheimers WA | 2016-2017 |
2016
| Study | Collaborators | Years |
| Evaluating the outcomes for Interprofessional Education programs in residential aged care | University of Western Australia (School of Population Health; School of Medicine; Office of Research Enterprise) | 2013-2016 |
| Overview of Brightwater’s resident participants from the INSPIRED Study: demographics, clinical determinants, quality of life and consumer preferences | Flinders University (Discipline of Rehabilitation, Aged and Extended Care), Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre, National Health and Medical Research Council | 2014-2016 |
Frequently asked questions
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Can I volunteer with the Brightwater Research Centre?
Yes!
Volunteers help our research centre with data collection, data analysis, literature reviews and more.
Please visit our Research Volunteers page for more information.
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What sort of research do you conduct?
All of our research is focused on improving the quality of life of our residents and clients, therefore most of our research is practical and applied in a care/community setting.
Our priorities are brain health, brain injury rehabilitation, independence, ageing well, dementia care, quality of life, Huntington’s disease and nutrition.
For more information, see our Current Research page.
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What are the steps involved in gaining approval to conduct research at Brightwater?
Step 1
Complete the Brightwater Research Enquiry
Step 2
If your research enquiry is considered feasible for Brightwater, you will be invited to complete the Brightwater Research Application form.
Note: Research applications go to the Brightwater Research Centre or Steering Committee for approvalStep 3
Once your research application is approved, complete all required legal and administrative documentation.
Step 4
Commence your research study!
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Can I donate to the Brightwater Research Centre?
Donations can be used to fund research studies at Brightwater.
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Can I partner with Brightwater for my research project?
Please submit the Brightwater Research Enquiry and we will be in touch.