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Staff Profile

Dr Chris Lovegrove

Clinical Research Fellow

Background

I am a clinical academic occupational therapist leading research to develop and implement an occupation-based complex intervention to help people with Parkinson's live well with anxiety. For over 15 years, I have worked to improve the lives of people with neurological conditions. With experience working across a range of acute and sub-acute rehabilitation services, I endeavour to bring my enthusiasm for meaningful occupation to every role.


My research aims to improve the lives of people with Parkinson's, resulting in multiple grant and fellowship awards. My recent project has been to co-produce and feasibility-test a new occupation-based complex intervention for living well with anxiety and Parkinson's (OBtAIN-PD). This work is driven by the urgent need to find solutions to assist individuals with Parkinson's in living well with anxiety, a dedication to contributing to the profession's evidence base, and copious amounts of coffee. As a Clinical Research Fellow in Patient Safety at the Newcastle PSRC, I contribute to developing and inspiring the next generation of clinical academic researchers as part of the Academic Career Development theme.


As well as my role at the Newcastle PSRC, I am a non-executive board member for Cornerstone Housing association.

Research

I am dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. My primary focus is on assisting individuals with Parkinson's in managing anxiety and improving their quality of life through meaningful daily activities. I take a biopsychosocial approach, emphasizing lifestyle management to help them re-engage in activities that are important to them. I am interested in research collaborations looking at these groups and approaches, particularly complex intervention development and implementation that meaningfully involve stakeholders. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in working together.


I look forward to hearing from you.


To date, I have received over £500k in grant funding. All of my work is deeply rooted in meaningful involvement from stakeholders.


Current programmes of research and funding


  • Developing an occupation-based complex intervention for living well with anxiety and Parkinson's (OBtAIN-PD): Co-production of a complex intervention to help people with Parkinson's live well with anxiety, including feasibility testing. Funded by the NIHR as an ICA Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (NIHR301565, £388, 471).
Teaching

I welcome the opportunity to connect with anyone interested in expanding their knowledge alongside me.


I am available for research supervision and training, particularly in the everyday health behaviours of people with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. I am especially interested in projects focusing on anxiety and meaningful participation in activities promoting overall well-being. I am also open to collaborative projects involving evidence synthesis or complex intervention research methods incorporating stakeholder involvement in these populations.


My teaching experience spans occupational therapy, cognition, perception, behaviour, and applied research methods. I have conducted teaching sessions for diverse audiences in various settings, including health and care professionals.


I am strongly dedicated to expanding clinical research capacity to enhance healthcare and health outcomes and supporting clinicians in pursuing clinical academic careers. I have worked on building clinical research capacity for allied health professionals at a regional level. Additionally, I have mentored and supervised health professionals, including nurses and allied health professionals, at the internship and pre-doctoral levels.

 

I am proud to be an honorary lecturer at the University of Plymouth. I teach on the BSc and MSc Occupational Therapy programs and the MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation.


Current PhD Supervision


Jonathan Gilby, Adapting the ENGAGE-PD physical activity coaching intervention for individuals newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s to be delivered by physiotherapists in NHS rehabilitation settings: a feasibility cluster-randomised controlled trial utilising co-design, implementation science principles, and an embedded qualitative component, University of Plymouth

Publications