Dr Katrina Williams

Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
k.williams2@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 54507

Overview

I am a Physiotherapy with a Clinical Speciality in the managment of persons with Neurological conditions and vestibular disorders and have been awarded a fellowship to the Australian College of Physiotherapy Neurological Fellow in 2008.

I have an interest in exploring how the systems of balance, - inner ear (vestibular system), eyes (ocular system), sensory (touch, proprioception) interface with the brain to optimise movement control and funciton / participation outcomes in persons with Neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebellar dysfunciton, Parkinsons Disease, Myasthenia Gravis, Motor Neuron Disease and Concussion to name a few.

Research Interests

  • Mobility and balance in people with Multiple Sclerosis
  • Sensory and vestibular funciton in people with Multiple Sclerosis
  • Vestibular funciton in people complaining of dizzyness and imblanace
  • Using vestibular assessment to diagnose and manage concussion across the lifespan
  • Physiotherapy assessment and management of people with progressive neurological disorders
  • Optimising patient participation during outpatient physiotherapy treatments
  • Exploring function in persons with Myasthenia Gravis

Research Impacts

My research in persons with Multiple Sclerosis has contributed to the knowledge of clinicians in how to assess considering disability level as a key aspect to system impairment involvement to funciton. My involvment with the Whirled Foundation - previosuly Menieres Australia provided evidence to the National Government during their Hearing Health Australia initiative to include the vestibuilar system as a key system often impacted in person with hearing dysfuncion as one of their recommendation for further resarch exploration.

Qualifications

  • Member, Australian Physiotherapy Association, Australian Physiotherapy Association
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma, University of Sydney
  • Masters (Coursework), University of Sydney
  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland

Publications

View all Publications

Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Available Projects

View all Available Projects

Publications

Book Chapter

  • Williams, Katrina and Hoang, Phu (2009). Ataxia and tremor in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS practice for health professionals. (pp. 1-12) edited by Erika Coxhead and Kathy Hutton. Lidcombe, Australia: Multiple Sclerosis Australia.

  • Williams, Katrina (2009). Balance for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS practice for health professionals. (pp. 1-14) edited by Phu Hoang, Robyn Smith and Kathy Hutton. Lidcombe, Australia: Multiple Sclerosis Australia.

  • Williams, Katrina, Fultcher, Gary, Longley, Wendy, Robinson, Paula- Jane and Stevens, Caroline (2009). Management of complex symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS practice for health professionals. (pp. 1-20) edited by Phu Hoang and Kathy Hutton. Lidcombe, Australia: Multiple Sclerosis Australia.

  • Williams, Katrina and Hoang, Phu (2009). Strength and cardiorespiratory exercises for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS practice for the health professional. (pp. 1-14) edited by Erika Coxhead and Kathy Hutton. Lidcombe, Australia: Multiple Sclerosis Australia.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Other Outputs

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.