Tucker Group - Motor control and pain research

With the combined skills of a strong national collaborative network, the Children’s Motor Control Research Collaboration, our lab aims to provide valuable insight into the typical development of neuromotor control in childhood and adolescence; and identify targets for rehabilitation in children and adolescents with neuromotor impairments.

Within Tucker’s lab we use state-of-the art laboratory based technology to assess the validity of clinical outcome measures. We also test the potential for new technologies to be used in the assessment of neuromotor control, and we develop and test new rehabilitation interventions. This work is achieved while gathering valuable data on the neuromotor control of children aged between 6-18 years.

In addition to the studies highlighted on the Volunteer to participate page, we are often seeking volunteers to participate in our studies. To find out what additional projects are currently running and/or volunteer to participate in our research, please email Dr Kylie Tucker k.tucker1@uq.edu.au.

The patellofemoral joint within the knee, lies between the patella (knee cap) and the femur (thigh bone). This joint is commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PF OA) is evident in ~1 in every 3 young and middle-aged adult who has persistent patellofemoral joint pain.

Elevated patellofemoral joint loading, during everyday tasks such as walking, ascending and descending stairs, is thought to cause patellofemoral joint pathology, including PF OA. Hence, several interventions that aim to reduce patellofemoral joint loading have been investigated in people with PF OA. Studying movement in individuals with PF OA is important to understand the potential pathomechanics associated with this condition.

Walking is a primary physical activity among adults. It is a safe and recommended aerobic exercise for adults with knee osteoarthritis, a functional task that has been frequently included in knee osteoarthritis studies and a recommended activity to test when assessing physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Where is the study taking place?

All sessions will take place at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia campus. We can meet at the Otto-Hirschfield Building (81), Chancellors Place, St Lucia. We will send you specific instructions on where you can park on campus.  

How long will it take?

Approximately 2 hours in total.

How do I take part?

If you are interested in participating in our study please fill out the participation questionnaire or email a.albaradie@uq.net.au.

For more specific information on this study please see the information sheet (PDF, 280.3 KB).

Current studies

We are seeking physically active participants, 18 – 35 years old, to participate in a study that aims to:

Investigate the differences in muscle control strategies in runners with and without patellofemoral pain (knee cap pain) (PDF, 126.6 KB)

Register your interest

Investigate the differences in muscle control strategies in athletes who perform running vs. strength training (PDF, 202.2 KB)

Register your interest

We aim to understand the factors that underlie individual movement control strategies, the consequences of these strategies on the musculoskeletal system, and if or when an intervention is required. This knowledge will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for people who have great potential to develop, or are already living with painful musculoskeletal conditions.

As part of this broad aim, we conduct many movement control studies in the lab. Studies generally align with undergraduate or postgraduate work, and may begin and end at multiple times within each calendar year.

Our studies may involve all non-invasive measures, like measuring muscle activity with electrodes suck on the skin, or others where we need to insert small wires into muscle. They might involve ultrasound, or MRI so that we can assess muscle architecture. Studies sometimes involve sitting in a chair and producing force, other times they might require our participants to run, jump, cycle or hop!

In some cases we have funding to support small payments for our participants to reimburse them for their time and parking costs etc. Other times our participants volunteer to be part of a study to learn more about movement control, to get exposure to a human movement lab, or just for the love of science!

If you are interested in hearing more about what is going on in the lab at the moment, please email Dr Kylie Tucker who will put you in contact with the students currently recruiting, who will provide more information for you to consider. 

We aim to quantify differences in the size, quality, and control of back muscles of teenagers with and without scoliosis (sideways curve of the spine).

If you'd like to make a tax deductible donation towards this project, please donate here.

Who can participate?

Participants aged 10-18 years with straight spines (non-scoliosis) from the community. Adolescents with scoliosis will typically be recruited through the Children’s Hospital or physiotherapy practices. Please contact us if you (or your child) has scoliosis and are not currently under care at the Children’s Hospital or a referring physiotherapy practice, as they might still be able to participate.

What is involved?

Prior to coming into the lab (or when you arrive)

• Participants and their guardians will need to read the information sheet, guardians sign the consent form.
• Participants complete a questionnaire about typical physical activity levels and pain experience.

Once in the lab

• We show you the equipment that will be used and answer any questions.
• Markers and recording electrodes will be placed on the skin and used to measure movements and muscle contractions
• Ultrasound will be used to help the researchers locate the position of specific bones and muscles.  
• Participants will perform a series of simple movement tasks, including: Sitting, Standing, Raising both arms up quickly, Loading of small weights on the shoulders
• Participants will also need to have an MRI of their back muscles at the UQ-Centre of Advanced Imaging, this is walking distance from where we will collect the other data.  
• All procedures are comfortable.

Where is it located?

All sessions will take place at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia campus. We can meet at the Otto-Hirschfield Building (81), Chancellors Place, St Lucia. We will send you specific instructions on where you can park on campus.  

How long will it take?

Approximately 3 hours in total, which can be broken up into 2 parts if needed.

How do I take part?

If you are interested in participating in our study, please fill in the parent/guardian contact details, and answer a few questions here, or email k.tucker1@uq.edu.au.

For more specific information on this study, download the information sheet (PDF, 804.5 KB).

Knee pain in 12-18 year old adolescents

Chronic or re-occurring knee pain affects 1 in every 3 adolescents. Adolescents with knee pain tend to reduce their physical activity levels, school attendance, participation in hobbies and social activities. Knee pain can cause disturbances in appetite, sleep and mental health.

There are many reasons why knee pain might begin, but we are particularly interested in a type of kneecap pain also known as patellofemoral pain, because it is the most common cause of knee pain in adolescents.

Very little research has been conducted on what causes kneecap pain in adolescents. This means we know relatively little about it and what we might be able to do to help people with it.

This is one of the very first studies that is designed to help us understand if the control of movement is different in adolescents with kneecap pain compared to those without kneecap pain. We are hoping to collect enough data to understand what factors might help us predict those who are likely to get better and those who are likely to continue to have pain.

Who can participate?

Adolescents with kneecap pain, and adolescents with no history of kneecap pain. We cannot include anyone who: i) has pain in more than one place in their lower limb, ii) has had surgery on their knee, hip or spine; or iii) has other suspected knee joint troubles. If you might be able to participate, but are unsure, please contact us as a Physiotherapist from our team can complete a screening test.

What is involved?

Participants will complete some questionnaires, and may be assesses by our Physiotherapist prior to inclusion in the study.

Session 1 will include laboratory measures of muscle activation in the research laboratory. This takes less than 2 hours.

Session 2 involves having an MRI of the participants thigh. This takes less than 45 minutes.

Participants will receive $50 reimbursement for their time and parking expenses etc upon completion of data collection.

Where will the study take place?

All sessions will take place at the University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus

Who are the researchers?

• Dr Kylie Tucker, Director of Motor Control and Pain Laboratory, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Natalie Collins, Physiotherapist and Lecturer, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, UQ
• Professor Francois Hug, University of Nantes, France

How do I take part?

If you are interested in participating, or would like to find out more about these studies, please email Marion Crouzier. Marion will send you a full information sheet and consent for you to consider.

Knee osteoarthritis

We are currently recruiting people over 45 years of age with no lower limb pain or previous lower limb surgery. We will be assessing your lower limb strength, dynamic balance and measures of everyday function. This will be compared to gender- and age-matched people with painful knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the study is to:

• further target management of people with knee osteoarthritis,
• improve outcomes of pain, function and quality of life, and
• retard the progression and prevent the onset of knee osteoarthritis in at-risk populations.

Collection of data is a one-off assessment that will be conducted at The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside. If available for assessment please contact Andrew Hislop on 3139 5370 or tpchknee@health.qld.gov.au.