Professor Susan Hillier is an academic and clinician with teaching and research interests in the broad field of neuroscience and rehabilitation. One of her main research areas is on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches after stroke - this includes the role of afferent stimulation or training using multimodal feedback, as well as models of rehabilitation and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other populations such as children with developmental coordination disorder or people who are ageing. As well as conducting clinical trials to produce primary evidence, Susan also is an... Read more
About me
Professor Susan Hillier is an academic and clinician with teaching and research interests in the broad field of neuroscience and rehabilitation. One of her main research areas is on the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches after stroke - this includes the role of afferent stimulation or training using multimodal feedback, as well as models of rehabilitation and access to rehabilitation. The influence of rehabilitation on neuroplasticity is also a focus. Susan also has an interest in movement education and intervention approaches for other populations such as children with developmental coordination disorder or people who are ageing. As well as conducting clinical trials to produce primary evidence, Susan also is an experienced Cochrane reviewer (vestibular rehabilitation, HIV, self-management after stroke, task-specific training) and has published many systematic reviews for comparative effectiveness trials as well as clinical measurement.
Susan still maintains a small private practice at the University and contributes to the community through her work with stroke organisations locally and nationally. She teaches regularly in Australia and internationally to assist clinicians to implement best practice. She has supervised 21 candidates to completion in PhD programs in Australia and overseas, and currently has five candidates.
Her current role at the University of South Australia is Dean: Research for UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance.
About me
Member of the Stroke Society of Australasia and the World Stroke Society
Member of The Australian Feldenkrais Guild Inc
Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
About me
Doctor of Philosophy (Physiotherapy) University of South Australia
Bachelor of Applied Science South Australian Institute of Technology
Neuroscience (clinical), Neuroplasticity, Recovery from neurological insult, Rehabilitation, Motor control and motor learning
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
The feasibility and potential of a novel robotic gait bioprosthesis for people with severe gait impairment post-stroke., Medical Research Future Fund, 01/06/2022 - 31/05/2024
Fellowship re What makes cities healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable? Lessons from Latin America., The Wellcome Trust, 01/03/2021 - 31/10/2023
A network of sites and ‘up-skilled’ therapists to deliver best practice stroke rehabilitation of the upper limb., NHMRC - Partnership Project, 01/09/2017 - 31/08/2023
Rapid Review - Allied health services for older people with mental illness: A report on the current issues and evidence to inform the development of services, SA Dept of Health, 20/03/2023 - 31/05/2023
New Hope for Post-Stroke Depression Treatment: Evaluating and optimising a promising brain-based therapy, Breakthrough Mental Health Foundation/UniSA ¿ Seed Funding, 01/12/2020 - 31/03/2022
State-wide development, training and translation of evidence-informed practice and research into SA Health allied health clinical practice, SA Health, 01/07/2019 - 30/06/2021
Understanding and measuring quality in brain injury rehabilitation, Lifetime Support Authority, 02/06/2017 - 31/10/2018
Implementing a client-centred wellness model for stroke survivors, ECH Incorporated, 01/07/2016 - 30/04/2017
Early active arm movement to drive cortical reorganisation following stroke, The Ian Potter Foundation, 01/05/2015 - 31/08/2016
Healthy lifestyle choices for stroke prevention, The Nancy and Vic Allen Stroke Prevention Fund, 01/07/2015 - 30/06/2016
SA health stroke unit implmentation analysis, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 01/06/2015 - 30/06/2016
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Brain Stimulator (rTMS, Magstim), NHMRC - Equipment Only Grants, 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2015
A yoga and meditation program to improve function and mood in chronic stroke, Stroke Foundation, 19/12/2008 - 05/12/2015
Circuit class therapy for rehabilitation clients. A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of therapy intensity (CIRCIT), NHMRC - Project Grant, 01/01/2010 - 30/06/2015
Implementing the assessment for rehabilitation tool: consumer focussed equitable process for stroke survivors, NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI), 01/09/2014 - 30/05/2015
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2023 |
1
2
2
|
2023 |
3
|
2022 |
1
2
1
|
2022 |
Open access
1
1
2
|
2022 |
2
2
|
2022 |
Open access
|
2022 |
Open access
1
1
9
|
2022 |
Open access
|
2022 |
Open access
3
|
2022 |
Open access
1
1
23
|
2022 |
|
2022 |
Open access
2
3
3
|
2022 |
Open access
10
10
11
|
2021 |
Open access
7
8
7
|
2021 |
Open access
11
|
2021 |
Open access
14
11
91
|
2021 |
Open access
7
7
15
|
2021 |
Open access
5
3
58
|
2021 |
3
3
11
|
2021 |
Open access
3
|
2021 |
Open access
3
3
18
|
2021 |
Open access
1
1
8
|
2020 |
49
|
2020 |
13
12
8
|
2020 |
19
19
14
|
2020 |
3
|
2020 |
Open access
1
|
2019 |
Open access
4
5
1
|
2019 |
Open access
21
20
8
|
2019 |
Open access
21
21
38
|
2019 |
Open access
4
3
9
|
2019 |
Open access
5
5
2
|
2019 |
Open access
12
13
10
|
2019 |
Open access
31
44
|
2019 |
11
11
19
|
2018 |
Open access
23
18
27
|
2018 |
Open access
1
1
4
|
2018 |
3
2
3
|
2018 |
Open access
13
14
|
2018 |
Open access
8
7
1
|
2018 |
10
12
63
|
2018 |
2
3
60
|
2018 |
Open access
14
14
|
2018 |
Open access
38
37
85
|
2018 |
Open access
6
5
2
|
2017 |
4
4
6
|
2017 |
Open access
6
3
9
|
2017 |
Open access
26
40
73
|
2017 |
Open access
19
20
13
|
2017 |
Open access
39
37
23
|
2017 |
Open access
27
24
1
|
2017 |
Open access
11
12
125
|
2017 |
Open access
97
94
38
|
2017 |
23
23
28
|
2017 |
Open access
65
60
10
|
2017 |
Open access
34
33
40
|
2017 |
Open access
10
24
47
|
2017 |
Open access
49
49
2
|
2017 |
23
23
54
|
2017 |
7
7
14
|
2017 |
2
2
|
2016 |
10
10
10
|
2016 |
Open access
1
1
|
2016 |
Open access
22
25
34
|
2016 |
Open access
2
3
|
2016 |
Open access
11
8
1
|
2016 |
Open access
58
112
73
|
2016 |
Open access
18
17
5
|
2016 |
Open access
21
20
5
|
2016 |
Open access
19
18
8
|
2016 |
Open access
28
27
17
|
2016 |
Open access
15
17
2
|
2016 |
34
32
2
|
2016 |
Open access
13
13
15
|
2016 |
Open access
220
207
30
|
2015 |
|
2015 |
Open access
15
16
4
|
2015 |
Open access
25
47
20
|
2015 |
Open access
17
16
25
|
2015 |
Open access
28
18
45
|
2015 |
158
149
25
|
2015 |
Open access
4
5
1
|
2015 |
21
21
4
|
2015 |
Open access
2
2
|
2015 |
Open access
106
148
40
|
2014 |
30
29
|
2014 |
Open access
20
19
25
|
2014 |
Open access
24
21
8
|
2014 |
Open access
52
45
|
2014 |
55
55
5
|
2014 |
Open access
9
7
3
|
2013 |
Open access
73
1
|
2013 |
13
14
|
2013 |
Open access
29
28
9
|
2013 |
7
7
|
2013 |
Open access
74
71
178
|
2013 |
18
14
3
|
2013 |
Open access
32
29
|
2012 |
44
42
|
2012 |
Open access
70
61
|
2012 |
Open access
57
52
|
2011 |
10
6
|
2011 |
Open access
40
34
|
2011 |
27
24
|
2011 |
45
40
|
2011 |
|
2011 |
Open access
1
1
|
2011 |
Open access
15
14
|
2011 |
Open access
4
4
|
2011 |
Open access
93
86
|
2011 |
219
131
|
2011 |
Open access
32
28
|
2010 |
Open access
|
2010 |
89
86
|
2010 |
27
|
2010 |
7
8
|
2010 |
36
32
|
2010 |
Open access
|
2010 |
|
2010 |
47
47
|
2009 |
Open access
|
2009 |
14
13
|
2009 |
19
|
2009 |
English, CK & Hillier, SL 2009, 'Circuit class therapy for improving mobility after stroke (protocol)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. |
2009 |
8
7
|
2009 |
10
7
|
2009 |
1
2
|
2009 |
133
113
|
2008 |
Open access
|
2008 |
3
2
|
2008 |
Hillier, SL & Civetta, LR 2008, 'The developmental coordination disorder questionnaire and movement assessment battery for children as a diagnostic method in Australian children', Pediatric Physical Therapy. |
2008 |
Open access
8
17
|
Research
Neuroscience (clinical), Neuroplasticity, Recovery from neurological insult, Rehabilitation, Motor control and motor learning
past Chair, SA Stroke Statewide Network
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Aboriginal Women's Advisory Group | AUSTRALIA |
Arizona State University | UNITED STATES |
Austin Health | AUSTRALIA |
Australian National University | AUSTRALIA |
Australian Wound Management Association Inc. | AUSTRALIA |
Biotext Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Cape Town South Africa | SOUTH AFRICA |
Carers SA | AUSTRALIA |
Catholic University of Leuven | BELGIUM |
Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress | AUSTRALIA |
Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery | AUSTRALIA |
Charles Sturt University | AUSTRALIA |
Childrens Hospital at Westmead | AUSTRALIA |
Christian Medical College | INDIA |
Clarkson University | UNITED STATES |
Consumer Representative | AUSTRALIA |
Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
Delsys Inc. | UNITED STATES |
ECH Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
Edith Cowan University | AUSTRALIA |
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam | NETHERLANDS |
Erasmus University Rotterdam | NETHERLANDS |
Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health | AUSTRALIA |
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre | AUSTRALIA |
Health Consumer Representative | AUSTRALIA |
Health Performance Council | AUSTRALIA |
Health Technology Analysts Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Heart Foundation of Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Huggins Hospital | UNITED STATES |
Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences | IRAN |
King's College London | UNITED KINGDOM |
Ku Leuven | BELGIUM |
La Trobe University | AUSTRALIA |
Laval University | CANADA |
Menzies School of Health Research | AUSTRALIA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
Movement Learning and Rehabilitation | UNITED STATES |
National Disability Insurance Agency | AUSTRALIA |
National Stroke Foundation | AUSTRALIA |
National Stroke Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
Neuroscience Research Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council | AUSTRALIA |
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network | AUSTRALIA |
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | UNITED STATES |
Oxford Brookes University | UNITED KINGDOM |
Private Individual | AUSTRALIA |
Queen Elizabeth Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
Queensland Health | AUSTRALIA |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Red Cross Childrens Hospital | SOUTH AFRICA |
Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
Royal District Nursing Service SA | AUSTRALIA |
Royal Park Stroke Unit | AUSTRALIA |
SA Health | AUSTRALIA |
Safer Care Victoria | AUSTRALIA |
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute | UNITED STATES |
South Australian Department of Health | AUSTRALIA |
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) | AUSTRALIA |
St Vincents Hospital | UNITED STATES |
Stellenbosch University | SOUTH AFRICA |
University Medicine Greifswald | GERMANY |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | UNITED STATES |
University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien | AUSTRIA |
University of British Columbia | CANADA |
University of Cape Town | SOUTH AFRICA |
University of Central Lancashire | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Grenoble | FRANCE |
University of Ibadan | NIGERIA |
University of Manchester | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of New South Wales | AUSTRALIA |
University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
University of Otago | NEW ZEALAND |
University of Oxford | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Pennsylvania | UNITED STATES |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of the Western Cape | SOUTH AFRICA |
University of Warwick | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | UNITED STATES |
University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
Whitman College | AUSTRALIA |
Women's and Children's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Conventions Adelaide Grant AwardGuideline International Network |
2017 |
MemberAustralian Feldenkrais Guild Inc |
2017 |
MemberAustralian Physiotherapy Association (APA) |
2017 |
MemberStroke Society of Australasia and the World Stroke Society |
2017 |
Examples of invited workshops in the past five years:
The ubiquity of Neuroplasticity. Melbourne, 2015
Stroke Rehabilitation. INTI University, Malaysia, 2016
Body Image - public workshop, Adelaide 2017
Vestibular rehabilitation - Country Health SA 2018
Upper limb rehabilitation - Chennai 2018
Research into Clinical Practice - CALHN, Adelaide 2019.
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
110345 - Simple solutions to a complex problem: Evaluating novel, clinically feasible, methods to increase neuroplasticity and promote stroke recovery | Current |
Care navigation in community-based chronic disease management programs: what contributes to successful outcomes? | Current |
Investigating the mechanisms of impaired motor control in children with DCD and other coordination disorders through the use of active video gaming in therapy. | Current |
Qualitative inquiry into the decision-making processes for lower extremity amputation in people with diabetes | Current |
Strategies to individually optimise non-invasive brain stimulation as an adjuvant therapy in people with stroke | Current |
The impact and influence breathing awareness has on movement quality for those with chronic pain. | Current |
Unilateral spatial neglect in adults post stroke | Current |
`Being the Best Learner You Can Be': a randomized controlled trial of a neuroscience-based primary school program | Completed |
An investigation into sensation and body awareness after stroke | Completed |
Can we do better? Optimising the clinical management of low back pain | Completed |
Cognitive reserve and stroke recovery | Completed |
Developmental coordination disorder - do personnel and environment impact on intervention outcomes for this condition? | Completed |
Developmental coordination disorder: identification methods and investigation of selected aspects of motor control | Completed |
Heartfelt way: characterising Aboriginal women¿s cardiovascular health protection and risk to inform health service and system responses | Completed |
Identification and management of four-year-old children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) | Completed |
Implementing the Assessment for Rehabilitation Tool in Australian acute stroke units. A mixed methods cluster randomised trial. | Completed |
Investigating the theoretical assumptions of the imprecision hypothesis of chronic pain | Completed |
Making `sense¿ of dexterity: Its role in scalpel skill acquisition in podiatry students | Completed |
Responses to troublesome aspects of knowledge and practice: a grounded theory of learning-to-practice occupational therapy | Completed |
The clinical management of plantar fasciopathy: considerations in diagnosis and foot orthotic treatment effect | Completed |
What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy? A randomised controlled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury. | Completed |