RICE has a strong research record of studies exploring dementia, as well as mobility and bone health in older people.

Movement research projects:

• The research study named ‘SIPA-2’ explored medicines management in people with sensory impairment in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde.
• The ‘Exercise Snacking’ project was run with the University of Bath and supported patients who were not regularly exercising to get involved in small, short bursts of movement and activity to see what impact this had on their health.
• CHIEF PD clinical trial studied the clinical and cost effectiveness of a drug named rivastigmine for falls in people with Parkinson’s disease.
• PRIME-PD tested new care innovations in Parkinson’s disease and related movement and cognitive disorders, in collaboration with Radboud University in the Netherlands.
• Complex Medicine in Older People is a programme funded by a Dunhill Medical Trust grant to evaluate the effectiveness of new innovative educational methods on attitudes towards older people and knowledge of geriatrics.

Dr Emily Henderson

Working with RICE in an Honorary position, Dr Emily Henderson is an academic consultant geriatrician with research interests in movement disorders, clinical trials in older adults and the interaction between cognition and gait in movement disorders and neurodegenerative disease.

She runs a translational programme of research that spans basic science through to clinical trials and healthcare service innovation. This >£12million portfolio seeks to improve quality of life for older people and those with neurodegenerative diseases. She works clinically as a Consultant Geriatrician in Parkinson’s and related disorders at the Royal United Hospitals Bath where she looks after older patients on Parkinson’s specific wards and as outpatients. 

Academically, she collaborates with colleagues in neuroscience, engineering, geriatrics and neurology within Bristol, nationally and internationally. From inception until 2018, she was the Lead for the South West Parkinson’s Excellence Network. She has organised conferences and delivered lectures at National and International meetings as well as the Royal College of Physicians. She is Lead for Ageing in the West of England Clinical Research Network (CRN). Nationally, she is immediate past Chair of the British Geriatric Society – Movement Disorder Section (BGS-MDS), sits on the National Parkinson’s Disease Portfolio Development Group (PD-PDG), is a Faculty member of the Parkinson’s Academy and current Vice President of Academic Affairs for the British Geriatric Society. 

Strength research projects:

• The High Bone Mass study aimed to identify the genetic changes responsible for High Bone Mass in order to understand the opposite condition, osteoporosis.
• The REDUCE study examined the NHS hip fracture care path way, in order to ensure consistent, high quality care is available to everyone.
• The Deprivation and Hip Fracture study explored the relationship between where people live, their socioeconomic background and hip fracture.
• Global MSK health is a worldwide group of researchers exploring how to improve health and well-being across the life course with particular focus on bone, muscle and joint health.

Dr Celia Gregson

Working with RICE in an Honorary position, Celia Gregson is an Honorary Consultant Orthogeriatrician at the Royal United Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Professor in Musculoskeletal Medicine at the Musculoskeletal Research Unit (MRU), University of Bristol. She qualified in Medicine from the University of Nottingham.  

Her research interests include the epidemiology and genetics of osteoporosis and fractures, high bone mass disorders, the role bone plays in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, the impact of social deprivation on fracture incidence and outcomes, the impact of neurological diseases and HIV infection on musculoskeletal health, and the cross-talk between muscle, fat and bone. With Global Challenges funding, Celia recently launched the Sub-Saharan African Musculoskeletal Network (SAMSON).