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Australian Bobath Training Association

Melissa Birnbaum

Melissa Birnbaum

  • Recently qualified as an IBITA Basic Course Instructor, February 2024
  • Completed PhD entitled ‘Measuring lateropulsion following stroke in the clinical setting: exploring the measurement, nature and recovery of lateropulsion using Wii technologies and clinical measures’, Curtin University, 2021
  • Titled Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Neurological Physiotherapist, 2011 - present
  • Completed Master of Physiotherapy by Coursework (Neurological Physiotherapy), University of Melbourne, 2010
  • First Basic Course 2006
  • Qualified as Physiotherapist, University of Melbourne, 2004

Current Employment

Neurological Clinical Lead / Subacute Team Leader at St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne

Future Plans

  • To publish further research in the area of lateropulsion following stroke, as well as research into the Bobath Concept
  • To teach Bobath courses

Publications

  • Birnbaum M, Brock K, Clark R, Burton E, Hill KD (2024) Six-month outcomes and patterns of recovery for people with lateropulsion following stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation 46(11): 2405-2413.

  • Nolan J, Jacques A, Godecke E, Abe H, Babyar S, Bergmann J, Birnbaum M, et al (2023) Clinical practice recommendations for management of lateropulsion after stroke determined by a Delphi expert panel. Clinical Rehabilitation. Apr 26. Epub ahead of print.

  • Nolan J, Jacques A, Godecke E, Abe H, Babyar S, Bergmann J, Birnbaum M, et al (2022) Post-stroke lateropulsion terminology: pushing for agreement amongst experts. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 65: 1–4.

  • Birnbaum M, Brock K, Clark R, Muir S, Burton & Hill K (2021) Standing weight-bearing asymmetry in adults with lateropulsion following stroke. Gait & Posture 90: 427-433.

  • Birnbaum M, Brock K, Parkinson S, Burton E, Clark R & Hill K (2021) Rasch analysis of the Burke Lateropulsion Scale (BLS). Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation 28(4): 268-275.

  • Birnbaum M, Brock K, Clark R, Hill K (2018) Measuring lateropulsion following stroke: a feasibility study using Wii Balance Board technology. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy 46(1): 36-42.

  • Birnbaum M, Hill K, Kinsella R, Black S, Clark R, Brock K. (2018) Comprehensive clinical sitting balance measures for individuals following stroke: a systematic review on the methodological quality. Disability and Rehabilitation 40(6): 616-630.