RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Learning is a lifelong journey and we are proud to have an active research arm that supports our programmes at the Centre for Health.
We like to do research that is meaningful to families and communities, as opposed to research that we personally think is meaningful. When we have a conversation with groups about a potential research project we always ask “What does good health mean to you?” Knowing the answer to that question ensures we are focused on your view of the world, not ours.
What questions do you have about the health and wellbeing of your family or community? What do you think could be changed to enhance the lives of those around you?
We have the academic and practical skills to perform robust, high-quality research.
Take a look below at the various research projects that we are currently involved in.
We look forward to a conversation with you soon.
The effect of a 12-week exercise and lifestyle management programme on cardiac risk reduction: A controlled trial using a Kaupapa Māori philosophy
To provide evidence for the 12-week lifestyle management programme and the use of exercise, nutrition and stress management strategies in preventing heart disease.
Research Team
Dr Anna Rolleston, Prof Rob Doughty, Dr Katrina Poppe, Dr Janine Wiles, Maraea Walker, Dr Marama McDonald
Funder
New Zealand Heart Foundation
Current Status
Data analysis and paper writing.
Markers of whānau flourishing
Purpose
What makes families well and happy? What are the strategies families use to be well? What principles do they live by?
Research Team
Dr Anna Rolleston, Dr Marama McDonald
Funder
Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Current Status
Active – Recruiting participants
Barriers, enablers and solutions to establishing a healthy nutrition lifestyle: A kaupapa Māori, co-design project
Purpose
There is so much mis-information about nutrition. How do people navigate the information available about nutrition? We are asking communities to help us understand where they get their advice from and what the health system can do better to support people to eat well.
Research Team
Dr Anna Rolleston, Dr Issac Warbrick, Dr Zirsha Wharemate, Erina Korohina
Funder
New Zealand Heart Foundation
Current Status
Active – Recruiting participants
People with dementia and robots for independence.
Purpose
Can a robot help people living with early demetia live well? What would a robot need to be able to do to support a person and their whanau?
In Collaboration with
The University of Auckland
Primary Investigator
Ngaire Kerse
Current Status
Robot development stage.
Reducing Frailty (SUPER Trial)
Purpose
An exercise and nutrition programme to help people with early signs of frailty, and hoping to reduce falls in older people.
In Collaboration With
The University of Auckland and National Science Challenge
Primary Investigator
Ruth Teh
Status
Follow-up phase
Staying Upright in Residential Care: Māori sub-study.
Purpose
This is a study that is attached to a much bigger project looking at the activity levels of older people who live in residential care facilities. We are running an arm of the research to see how active older people who live in the community are in comparison to those in care facilities.
In Collaboration With
The University of Auckland
Primary Investigator
Ngaire Kerse
Current Status
Active – Recruiting participants.
Data Sovereignty - Monitoring workers for health and safety
Purpose
This project focuses on people who work in high risk industry (like forestry). We want to know if we can use devices like heart rate and sleep monitors to better keep these workers safe in their jobs. We also want to know what they think about being monitored at work.
In Collaboration With
The University of Waikato
Primary Investigator
Judy Bowen
Current Status
Analysis
Aging Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSoM Study)
Loss of independence is a key concern for older people. The AWESSoM programme integrates projects across population groups to maximise independence and push back the threshold of disability.
Research Team
Dr Ngaire Kearse, Dr Anna Rolleston
Funder
University of Auckland and National Science Challenge
Duration
September 2019 – October 2024
Current Status
Set up stage.
Biomarker-Guided Risk Management following Acute Coronary Syndromes: a Randomised, Controlled Trial (BioMACS)
Purpose
The aim of this study is to determine whether a biomarker-guided approach to risk assessment and management will reduce clinical events for people following a heart attack. Certain proteins are released from the heart when the heart is under stress; these proteins, called biomarkers, can help to identify which individuals are at higher risk of these recurrent clinical events after a heart attack. This study will involve more than 2000 people in 3 major regions in New Zealand.
Research Team
Professor Robert Doughty, Dr Anna Rolleston
Funder
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Duration
September 2019 – October 2022
Current Status
Set Up Stage
Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS)
Purpose
This study will examine the effects of the built environment changes in Dunedin on transport choices, physical activity and perceptions of walking and cycling to school in adolescents.
Research Team
Sandra Mandic
Duration
September 2019 – October 2022
Funder
University of Otago
Current Status
Anna is an advisor on this project.
