This commentary provides evidence of my fulfilment of the requirements for a DPhil via the presentation of publications resulting from my research activity. The overarching theme of the publications is 'Physiology and biomechanics relating to equine physiotherapy'. The portfolio of evidence consists of eight peer-reviewed publications which combine to provide evidence for normal back function in the horse, and the use of manual therapy as a precursor to rehabilitation in order to develop and enhance optimal back function in the horse. Specifically, the papers conside~ 1. suitable periods for physiological and biomechanical acclimation to water treadmill exercise 2. the physiological and biomechanical responses of horses to water treadmill exercise 3. the muH~functional role of the longissimus dorsi muscle in the horse (which has relevence to LD activity in other species) and methods of influencing LD tone and activity 4. the nature of physiological and biomechanical responses of horses to exercise on gradients 5. the safety of treadmill exercise in horses. The commentary is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 provides an analysis of the contribution of my selected publications to the current knowledge within the field of equine physiology and biomechanics. Chapter 2 describes the application of current knowledge to rehabilitation in practice and Chapter 3 provides a critical review of the study designs and measurement techniques employed in my research. Wrthin this chapter, evidence of my ability to design and implement appropriate empirical methods to test hypotheses and answer research questions is given. The aim of the commentary is to provide evidence as to my ability to generate new knowledge at the forefront of equine physiotherapy via expertise in research methods.

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The aim of this research was to undertake an evaluation of domiciliary physiotherapy, by assessing the cost effectiveness of a new Domiciliary Physiotherapy Service (DPS) and by analysing the process of domiciliary physiotherapy practice. The main element of the work was a randomised controlled trial of the DPS, in which an experimental group receiving domiciliary physiotherapy assessment and intervention was compared with a control group receiving conventional care. Hypotheses that domiciliary physiotherapy would improve clients' independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and health status, and reduce clients' use of other services, were tested. The null hypotheses related to ADL and health status could not be rejected, possibly because of a smaller than intended sample size, and/or the masking of real effects by sample attrition, or lack of sensitivity of the outcome measures. There was evidence to suggest that the DPS may have significantly increased, rather than decreased, the proportion of clients with at least one contact with another health or social service. The analysis of the process of domiciliary physiotherapy developed as the RCT progressed. An interpretive account of domiciliary physiotherapy practice, framed within the author's own experiential knowledge, was constructed using quantitative and qualitative data from DPS treatment records, GP referral forms, and interviews with clients, carers and experienced community-based therapists. The interpretive analysis has underpinned a new `reciprocal learning' model of domiciliary physiotherapy, which may assist practitioners working in the field. The way forward for domiciliary physiotherapy practice may be to acknowledge that measurable clinical outcomes cannot easily be determined, and that criteria for assessing the value of domiciliary physiotherapy should be based on client and carer perspectives.

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Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological disease with no known cure. The overall aim of the research within this thesis was to investigate physiotherapy, an important part of the care, for people with progressive MS. This was done in three studies. A systematic review of the current literature for the effectiveness of physiotherapy for the rehabilitation of people with progressive MS; an online survey of people with progressive MS assessing levels of access to, and use of, clinical services across the United Kingdom; and a feasibility study of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for people with progressive MS. The systematic search returned 15 studies, 482 participants in total, which investigated eight different interventions: exercise therapy, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, functional electrical stimulation, botulinum toxin type A injections and manual stretches, inspiratory muscle training, therapeutic standing, acupuncture and body weight supported treadmill training. All studies, apart from one, produced a positive result, however, only one study was adequately powered. In conclusion, the review found that the evidence was positive for using physiotherapy for rehabilitation in people with progressive MS, but further adequately powered research, is required to strengthen this. In total 1298 people with progressive MS from across the United Kingdom completed the online survey in August to October 2015. Participants were asked regarding access and use of clinical services, delivery and opinion of physiotherapy, and use of complementary and alternative therapies. Access to MS Specialists was high (95%), as was access to a physiotherapist (87%). Seventy seven percent of physiotherapy was delivered by the National Health Service and 32% were currently receiving physiotherapy for their MS. Physiotherapy was very well perceived by people with progressive MS and the most common interventions received were independent (83%) and supervised exercise (71%). Five percent of respondents were currently using disease modifying therapies and 23% had previously taken them. Almost three quarters (74%) received a regular review but 37% received this review less than annually. It was recommended that service providers make steps to address this gap in service provision. Finally, eight weeks of twice weekly HIIT sessions were compared to twice weekly sessions of continuous moderate intensity training. Ten out of twelve participants completed the trial. The HIIT intervention was well tolerated with 93% adherence, 100% compliance with protocol and no adverse events. There were three adverse events in the continuous training group and compliance was 79%. In addition, those who received HIIT improved their maximal heart rate and mental processing speed while no changes were found in the continuous training group. A larger, fully powered trial is required to confirm these results. Overall the studies within this thesis demonstrate that physiotherapy has the potential to be beneficial in the rehabilitation of people with progressive MS, that people with progressive MS are engaging with physiotherapy, and that interventions such as HIIT may provide new avenues for eliciting health benefits from this patient group. However, despite these positive findings, more work is required to strengthen the evidence base and gaps in service provision should be addressed.

This thesis is an examination of the practice of physiotherapy, an exploration of the context within which the profession of physiotherapy developed and an identification of the theoretical frameworks within which it is practised. The experiences of physiotherapists and nurses working in particular settings at a specific point in the development of the profession provided a starting point for the study. Physiotherapy, a profession openly dependent for a significant part of its history on medicine for its practice and knowledge base, is contextualised with reference to the development of a medical hegemony, the changing role of women in society, and the development of specialisms within physiotherapy. A methodological framework was developed through the use of a naturalistic design which places the researcher within the study and legitimises personal perspectives. Knowledge of the field prior to the study, fieldwork observations, and findings from two sets of interviews generated the data which provided the framework for an exploration of the theoretical base for the practice of physiotherapy. The thesis concludes by examining the components of context and theory which are fundamental to the practice of theory, and places them within a new framework. This new framework or paradigm is based on a re-evaluation of the concept of holism and goes back to the origins of this model which developed amidst the chaos of post-Boer was South Africa. The meaning of holism has been changed to make it nearer the concept of summative dualism which fits well with key concepts of balance, harmony and homeostasis. True holism is about movement and change and this is proposed as an appropriate model on which to base a paradigm for physiotherapy.

Clinical reasoning refers to the process in which practitioners, interacting with their patients, structure meaning, goals, and health management strategies based on clinical data, patient/client choices, and professional judgment and knowledge (Higgs & Jones, 2000, p. 11). Recent literature in physiotherapy and other allied health professions describes clinical reasoning as moving between cognitive and decision-making processes required to optimally diagnose and manage impairment and physical disabilities (hypothetic-deductive), and those required to understand and engage with patients' experience of disabilities and impairments (narrative reasoning). Clinical reasoning has been described as a universal process, common to all clinicians, in particular in the musculoskeletal area. However, clinical reasoning models emerged from research developed in specific and well-developed health care and professional cultures, such as Australia and United States, but there has been little discussion of their relevance and applicability to other cultural groups. Since research literature concerning physiotherapy in Portugal is almost non-existent, the aims of this study were twofold. The first aim was to explore clinical reasoning processes in a sample of Portuguese expert physiotherapists and secondly, to identify the current perspective of clinical reasoning held by educators and students, and how it is promoted in the undergraduate curriculum. The focus of the study was musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The research was influenced by the interpretative/constructivist paradigm of inquiry. The study consisted of three parts. In part one, the clinical reasoning approach of a sample of Portuguese expert therapists in musculoskeletal physiotherapy was investigated. The study focused on Portuguese clinicians' interaction with their patients in order to define and manage clinical problems. Data was collected through non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews, memos and field notes, and analysed thematically to identify and compare the practice and reasoning approach used. In part two, the generic aspects of undergraduate physiotherapy curricula in Portugal were analysed to provide a first insight of how educational programmes are organized and delivered in Portugal. Then, current musculoskeletal physiotherapy curricula in Portuguese entry-level physiotherapy programs were analysed by a questionnaire survey and documentary analysis. The specific aim was to capture the educational process and actions underlying current educational practice across undergraduate courses. In part three (Study 3 and 4), a sample of musculoskeletal lecturers and a sample of near graduate students were selected against criteria relating to the diversity of institutions that offer undergraduate physiotherapy courses (private versus public institutions) and length of time as a Physiotherapy education provider. Each course was examined from lecturer and student perspectives (through individual interviews and focus groups) to see what kind of clinical reasoning approach were most emphasised in relation to physiotherapy intervention in musculoskeletal conditions. Data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Findings showed some similar characteristics in the reasoning process of this group of Portuguese expert physiotherapists in the study when compared with other studies in the musculoskeletal physiotherapy field. However, findings also highlighted that Portuguese physiotherapists were more likely to use and value an instrumental approach to clinical practice. There was little evidence of patients sharing their perspectives about their problems or participating in clinical decisions made. An instrumental approach to reasoning and practice was also dominant in current Portuguese musculoskeletal programs as well in educators' and students' perspectives. The focus was on diagnostic and procedural strategies of reasoning with little emphasis on promoting student competences to involve patients in the decision making process. In this sense, the practice and reasoning of this sample could be seen as more instrumental than communicative. Perspectives on clinical reasoning differ between cultures and contexts of practice and this has implications for the quality of health care education and service delivery. This research has identified the current model of clinical reasoning in Portuguese Physiotherapy practice. The findings have significant implications for clinical practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, curriculum development, and wider education and health service policy.