Her research focuses on interventions for the promotion of recovery after spinal cord injury.[3] In 2009, Galea led a series of multi-site clinical trials investigating exercise as an intervention to improve hand function and aid recovery after spinal cord injury. The five year 'Spinal Cord Injury & Physical Activity (SCIPA) program was funded as part of the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative, and was designed to examine the impact of exercise in spinal cord rehabilitation.[4] Seven spinal Units were established across Australia and New Zealand, implementing randomised controlled clinical trials of novel rehabilitation strategies directed at neuromuscular activation of lower limbs.[5]