Back to
Dr Grace McKeon

Dr Grace McKeon

Research Associate

Bachelor of exercise physiology, UNSW (2017)

PhD, UNSW (2022)

Medicine & Health
School of Clinical Medicine

Dr Grace McKeon is an Exercise Physiologist and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. Her work focuses on the role of physical activity to improve the health of populations exposed to trauma including emergency service workers, refugees and asylum seekers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

She has led the design, implementation and evaluation of four trials of digital lifestyle interventions, using a range of methodologies including co-design participatory research methods, qualitative and quantitative research. Grace has contributed to >30 publications and is a named applicant on >$3,000,000 worth of competitive funding.

She is the current vice president of the Australasian Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ASTSS). 
E-mail
g.mckeon@unsw.edu.au
Location
AGSM building, UNSW
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Brinsley J; O'Connor EJ; Singh B; McKeon G; Curtis R; Ferguson T; Gosse G; Willems I; Marent P-J; Szeto K; Firth J; Maher C, 2024, 'Effectiveness of digital lifestyle interventions on depression, anxiety, stress and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (Preprint)', Journal of Medical Internet Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/56975
    Journal articles | 2024
    Davidson E; Lewis E; Biles B; Stanley R; Dumuid D; McKeon G; Olds T; Macniven R, 2024, '‘He wants to play football but not available here … ’ Parent perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child physical activity and sport participation', Annals of Leisure Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2024.2376752
    Journal articles | 2024
    Mastrogiovanni C; Kurt G; McKeon G; Lederman O; Rostami R; Coello M; Garcia DP; Wright K; Rosenbaum S, 2024, 'Delivering Exercise Services to Refugees and Asylum Seekers in High-Income Countries', Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 13, pp. 93 - 99, http://dx.doi.org/10.31189/2165-6193-13.3.93
    Journal articles | 2024
    McKeon G; Curtis J; Rostami R; Sroba M; Farello A; Morell R; Steel Z; Harris M; Silove D; Parmenter B; Matthews E; Jamaluddin J; Rosenbaum S, 2024, 'Co-designing a Physical Activity Service for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Using an Experience-Based Co-design Framework', Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26, pp. 674 - 688, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-024-01587-5
    Journal articles | 2024
    McMahen C; Wright K; Jackson B; Stanton R; Lederman O; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Furzer B, 2024, 'The implementation of exercise therapy within hospital-based mental healthcare: Delphi study', BJPsych Open, 10, http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.717
    Journal articles | 2024
    O'Neil A; Perez J; Young LM; John T; Turner M; Saunders D; Mahoney S; Bryan M; Ashtree DN; Jacka FN; Bruscella C; Pilon M; Mohebbi M; Teychenne M; Rosenbaum S; Opie R; Hockey M; Peric L; De Araugo S; Banker K; Davids I; Tembo M; Davis JA; Lai J; Rocks T; O'Shea M; Mundell NL; McKeon G; Yucel M; Absetz P; Versace V; Manger S; Morgan M; Chapman A; Bennett C; Speight J; Berk M; Moylan S; Radovic L; Chatterton ML, 2024, 'Clinical and cost-effectiveness of remote-delivered, online lifestyle therapy versus psychotherapy for reducing depression: results from the CALM non-inferiority, randomised trial', The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101142
    Journal articles | 2024
    Swann C; Wagner D; Clarke MM; Goddard SG; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Vella SA; Teychenne M, 2024, 'Is there a need for mental health informed goal setting in physical activity?', Mental Health and Physical Activity, 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100648
    Journal articles | 2024
    Vancampfort D; De Soir E; van Winkel R; Louw QA; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Seedat S; Pelayo Ramos-Sanchez C, 2024, 'Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health outcomes in firefighters: A cross-sectional study', Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 39, pp. 88 - 105, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2023.2191203
    Journal articles | 2024
    Wheatley L; Mastrogiovanni C; Pebole M; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Rees S; Teasdale SB, 2024, 'Physical activity levels and sedentary behavior in people who have experienced gender-based violence: A systematic review', Mental Health and Physical Activity, 26, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100596
    Journal articles | 2024
    Wheatley L; Rosenbaum S; Mastrogiovanni C; Pebole M; Wells R; Rees S; Teasdale S; McKeon G, 2024, 'Readiness of Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists and Other Allied Health Professionals to Respond to Gender-Based Violence: A Mixed-Methods Study', Violence Against Women, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10778012241257245
    Journal articles | 2023
    McKeon G; Fitzgerald C; Furzer B; Rosenbaum S; Stanton R; Lederman O; Harvey SB; Wright K, 2023, 'A qualitative exploration of the experience and attitudes of exercise professionals using telehealth for people with mental illness', Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 18, pp. 14 - 29, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2021-0084
    Journal articles | 2023
    McKeon G; Wells R; Steel Z; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Teasdale S; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2023, 'An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial', Digital Health, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20552076221149294
    Journal articles | 2023
    Sawyer C; Mckeon G; Hassan L; Onyweaka H; Martinez Agulleiro L; Guinart D; Torous J; Firth J, 2023, 'Digital health behaviour change interventions in severe mental illness: a systematic review', Psychological Medicine, 53, pp. 6965 - 7005, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723002064
    Journal articles | 2023
    Vancampfort D; De Soir E; Ramos-Sanchez CP; van Winkel R; Louw QA; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Seedat S, 2023, 'Autonomous Motivation for Exercise Is Key to an Active Lifestyle in Firefighters', Workplace Health and Safety, 71, pp. 238 - 244, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/21650799221147174
    Journal articles | 2023
    Wheatley L; McKeon G; Pebole M; Wells R; Rees S; B. Ward P; Rosenbaum S, 2023, 'Gender-Based Violence is a Blind Spot for Sports and Exercise Medicine Professionals', Sports Medicine, 53, pp. 1491 - 1493, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01742-8
    Journal articles | 2023
    Whitworth JW; SantaBarbara NJ; Nosrat S; Pebole MM; Cripe BG; McKeon G, 2023, 'Acute changes in affective valence and perceived distress predict reductions in PTSD symptom severity', Mental Health and Physical Activity, 25, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100523
    Journal articles | 2022
    Mastrogiovanni C; Rosenbaum S; Delbaere K; Tiedemann A; Teasdale S; McGavin A; Briggs N; McKeon G, 2022, 'A mental health-informed, online health promotion programme targeting physical activity and healthy eating for adults aged 60+ years: study protocol for the MovingTogether randomised controlled trial', Trials, 23, pp. 1052, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06978-3
    Journal articles | 2022
    McKeon G; Curtis J; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'Promoting physical activity for mental health: An updated evidence review and practical guide', Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 35, pp. 270 - 276, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000796
    Journal articles | 2022
    McKeon G; Mastrogiovanni C; Teychenne M; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in an Exercise Referral Scheme among Women Living in a Low Socioeconomic Area in Australia: A Qualitative Investigation Using the COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912312
    Journal articles | 2022
    McKeon G; Papadopoulos E; Firth J; Joshi R; Teasdale S; Newby J; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'Social media interventions targeting exercise and diet behaviours in people with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): A systematic review', Internet Interventions, 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2022.100497
    Journal articles | 2022
    McKeon G; Steel Z; Wells R; Fitzpatrick A; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'Exercise and PTSD Symptoms in Emergency Service and Frontline Medical Workers: A Systematic Review', Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000189
    Journal articles | 2022
    McKeon G; Tiedemann A; Sherrington C; Teasdale S; Mastrogiovanni C; Wells R; Steel Z; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'Feasibility of an online, mental health-informed lifestyle program for people aged 60+ years during the COVID-19 pandemic', Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33, pp. 545 - 552, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpja.538
    Journal articles | 2022
    McMahen C; Wright K; Stanton R; Lederman O; Rosenbaum S; McKeon G; Furzer B, 2022, 'Outcome assessments used in studies examining the effect of prescribed exercise interventions for people living with severe mental illness, a scoping review', Mental Health and Physical Activity, 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100438
    Journal articles | 2022
    Young LM; Moylan S; John T; Turner M; Opie R; Hockey M; Saunders D; Bruscella C; Jacka F; Teychenne M; Rosenbaum S; Banker K; Mahoney S; Tembo M; Lai J; Mundell N; McKeon G; Yucel M; Speight J; Absetz P; Versace V; Chatterton ML; Berk M; Manger S; Mohebbi M; Morgan M; Chapman A; Bennett C; O’Shea M; Rocks T; Leach S; O’Neil A, 2022, 'Evaluating telehealth lifestyle therapy versus telehealth psychotherapy for reducing depression in adults with COVID-19 related distress: the curbing anxiety and depression using lifestyle medicine (CALM) randomised non-inferiority trial protocol', BMC Psychiatry, 22, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03840-3
    Journal articles | 2021
    Fogarty A; Steel Z; Ward PB; Boydell KM; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S, 2021, 'Trauma and mental health awareness in emergency service workers: A qualitative evaluation of the behind the seen education workshops', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094418
    Journal articles | 2021
    Lederman O; Furzer B; Wright K; McKeon G; Rosenbaum S; Stanton R, 2021, 'Mental Health Considerations for Exercise Practitioners Delivering Telehealth Services', Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 10, pp. 20 - 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.31189/2165-7629-10.1.20
    Journal articles | 2021
    McKeon G; Mastrogiovanni C; Chapman J; Stanton R; Matthews E; Steel Z; Wells R; Rosenbaum S, 2021, 'The experiences of peer-facilitators delivering a physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families', Mental Health and Physical Activity, 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100414
    Journal articles | 2021
    McKeon G; Palmer EE; Macintosh R; Nevin SM; Wheatley L; Rosenbaum S, 2021, 'Feasibility of a mental health informed physical activity intervention for the carers of children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy', Epilepsy and Behavior, 121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108022
    Journal articles | 2021
    McKeon G; Steel Z; Wells R; Newby J; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2021, 'A mental health–informed physical activity intervention for first responders and their partners delivered using Facebook: Mixed methods pilot study', JMIR Formative Research, 5, pp. e23432, http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/23432
    Journal articles | 2021
    McKeon G; Wells R; Steel Z; Moseley V; Rosenbaum S, 2021, 'Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health of Informal Caregivers of Emergency Service Workers', Journal of Loss and Trauma, 26, pp. 507 - 518, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2020.1845020
    Journal articles | 2021
    Rosenbaum S; McKeon G; Stubbs B; Teychenne M; Parker A; Stanton R; Schuch F; Mistry A; Steel Z; Firth J, 2021, 'Redefining mental healthcare: Going multidisciplinary to manage multimorbidity', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55, pp. 7 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101691
    Journal articles | 2020
    McKeon G; Steel Z; Wells R; Newby J; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2020, 'A Mental Health–Informed Physical Activity Intervention for First Responders and Their Partners Delivered Using Facebook: Mixed Methods Pilot Study (Preprint)', , http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.23432
    Journal articles | 2019
    McKeon G; Chen A; Rosenbaum S, 2019, 'Investigating Exercise for Anxiety and Depression Treatment: A Case Report', Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 8, pp. 115 - 120, http://dx.doi.org/10.31189/2165-6193-8.3.115
    Journal articles | 2019
    McKeon G; Rosenbaum S, 2019, 'Muscling Up on Mental Illness: How Exercise Can Help Both Body and Mind', Frontiers for Young Minds, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2019.00035
    Journal articles | 2019
    McKeon G; Steel Z; Wells R; Newby JM; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2019, 'Mental health informed physical activity for first responders and their support partner: A protocol for a stepped-wedge evaluation of an online, codesigned intervention', BMJ Open, 9, pp. e030668, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030668
  • Preprints | 2024
    Brinsley J; O'Connor EJ; Singh B; McKeon G; Curtis R; Ferguson T; Gosse G; Willems I; Marent P-J; Szeto K; Firth J; Maher C, 2024, Effectiveness of digitally delivered lifestyle interventions on depression, anxiety, stress and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (Preprint), http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.56975
    Preprints | 2022
    Mastrogiovanni C; Rosenbaum S; Delbaere K; Tiedemann A; Teasdale S; McGavin A; Briggs N; McKeon G, 2022, A mental health-informed, online health promotion program targeting physical activity and healthy eating for adults aged 60+ years: study protocol for the MovingTogether randomised controlled trial, http://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1607074/v1
    Conference Papers | 2022
    McKeon G; Papadopoulos E; Firth J; Joshi R; Teasdale S; Rosenbaum S, 2022, 'A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF SOCIAL MEDIA INTERVENTIONS TARGETING EXERCISE AND DIET BEHAVIOURS IN PEOPLE WITH NCDS', in ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, pp. S480 - S480, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000788118601378&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Preprints | 2022
    McKeon G; Wells R; Steel Z; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Teasdale S; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2022, An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.10.22270712
    Preprints | 2021
    McKeon G; Papadopoulos E; Firth J; Joshi R; Teasdale S; Newby J; Rosenbaum S, 2021, Social Media Interventions Targeting Exercise and Diet Behaviours in People with Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs): A Systematic Review (Preprint), http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.34289
    Preprints | 2021
    McKeon G; Wells R; Steel Z; Hadzi-Pavlovic D; Teasdale S; Vancampfort D; Rosenbaum S, 2021, An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial (Preprint), http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/preprints.35524
    Conference Papers | 2020
    McKeon G; Wells R; Steel Z; Newby J; Rosenbaum S, 2020, 'A MENTAL HEALTH INFORMED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION DELIVERED ONLINE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEIR INFORMAL CARERS', in ANNALS OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE, OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, pp. S72 - S72, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000546262400150&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

WHO/World Diabetes Foundation. Improving diabetes prevention and care in South East Asia Region: country experiences of programme development and implementation supported by WDF from 2012 to 2022. $151,200 USD. (2024)

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare/Commonwealth Government. Indigenous physical activity and social and emotional wellbeing. $31,772. (2023)

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant: Active Women over 50 in rural, regional and remote areas: an effectiveness-implementation trial. (2023-2026) $1,218,977. Named CI with A.Tiedemann

Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Medal or the most outstanding thesis in the field (2022)

(https://www.essa.org.au/Public/Public/Advocacy/Research_and_Advocacy/ESSA_Medal.aspx)

Best ECR paper award for the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health (2023)

The Neil McConaghy Prize, UNSW (2021)

Suicide Prevention Australia PhD scholarship (2019)