The Penis Project

58. Dr “Ryan Stafford”- Pioneer in Men’s Health Research of Pelvic floor Muscle Function

Nov 2, 2021

01:01:56

Dr Ryan Stafford (PhD) , Adjunct Research Fellow at University of Western Australia, University of Queensland

Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewa, Canada

Dr Ryan Stafford is passionate research scientist, with a background in Exercise Physiology and collaborates with global leading researchers in men’s health. Specifically, Ryan pioneered real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging in the assessment of male pelvic floor function in men undergoing surgery for prostate cancer, and hence changed the way the physiotherapists teach patients how to perform PFM training correctly to minimise urinary incontinence.

Today, Ryan continues to lead research at the University of Queensland (UQ) and has recently joined forces with Dr Jo (Milios) at The University of Western Australia (UWA) investigating male patients undergoing radiation therapies for prostate cancer and also at male pelvic pain patients. A new focus is on erectile dysfunction and this includes males with any form of PFM dysfunction with doppler studies of penile blood flow being examined. Also sometimes these muscles can be tight, known as ‘hypertonicity’’ and other times they can be weak, known as ‘hypotonicity’’. So for some men strength training is not the best program , but relaxation or PFM ‘down-training’’ is the key.

Please join Dr Jo as she brings up the great, the humble Dr Ryan Stafford. From Canada to you!

Ps. In recent COVID times, research grants are tougher to succeed, with less $$$ available in the total health purse, so currently Dr JO & Ryan are doing this research in a voluntary fashion. Although he wouldn’t ask for it, philanthropic donations to Ryan can always be made by contacting him directly at r.stafford@uq.edu.au... PROST!

Grants

Targeted pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised controlled trial with embedded physiological studies

(2018–2021) NHMRC Project Grant (ongoing )

Efficacy of a state-of-the-art pelvic floor muscle training program on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised clinical trial with embedded physiological studies

(2016–2020) Physiotherapy Research Fellowships (completed)

Some helpful resource about Dr. Ryan Stafford:

https://shrs.uq.edu.au/profile/165/ryan-stafford

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Websites:

https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only