
Overview
Background
Dr Coombes is a senior research fellow within the NHMRC Synergy Grant, DISCERN, lead by Professor Paul Hodges. Her current role is to develop and test a tool to identify the predominant mechanism for a patient’s pain (in collaboration with the International Association for the Study of Pain Terminology Task Force) and research to understand the neurobiology of pain. As a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Dr Coombes has clinical and research expertise in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and chronic pain. Her research spans a diverse range of chronic conditions with a focus on exercise and physical interventions. Using a biopsychosocial framework and diverse research methodologies from mechanisms to implementation, herresearch is helping to reduce the personal, economic and societal impact of chronic pain. Dr Coombes has also developed and taught curricula in Physiotherapy, with a focus on pain, chronic disease and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Availability
- Dr Brooke Coombes is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate, Griffith University
Research interests
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Chronic pain
My research aims to identify mechanisms underpinning a person's pain presentation and prognosis and identifying treatments to target these mechanisms.
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Exercise for chronic pain and chronic disease
My research targets people with overlapping pain and chronic diseases, who are often excluded from research, such as individuals with diabetic neuropathy or parastomal hernia. It aims to optimise outcomes of exercise, via prescription, monitoring, education and behaviour change.
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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
My research aims to co-develop and test feasible and scalable interventions to address work-related injury, pain or disability and promote long term work ability.
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Injection therapies for musculoskeletal pain
My research aims to synthesise evidence for the clinical benefits, harms and economic value of injection therapies for tendinopathy.
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Tendinopathy
My research aims to advance knowledge to improve management of people with persistent pain from tendon-related disorders.
Research impacts
Dr Coombes’ research has resulted in advanced understanding of the mechanisms and effective treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain, which has been published in leading medical journals such as The Lancet, JAMA and Annals of Internal Medicine. As an example in relation to musculoskeletal pain, Dr Coombes has co-authored 5 international consensus papers on tendinopathy which have informed the establishment of core outcomes for measurement, and a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy receiving corticosteroid injections. Dr Coombes has past experience developing collaborations with other healthcare professional associations such as the national sonographic associations, who have endorsed current research projects including validation of the first sonographer-specific clinical prediction tool for work-related musculoskeletal disability and concept testing of an e-health exercise intervention to reduce work related musculoskeletal disability among sonographers. Dr Coombes also brings clinical experience to the project as a qualified Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with extensive experience across a wide range of contexts including musculoskeletal, sports, rheumatology and occupational rehabilitation.
Works
Search Professor Brooke Coombes’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Exploring the relationship between trunk muscles and lower limb injuries in Australian badminton players
Hides, Julie A., Dilani Mendis, M., Leung, Felix, Grantham, Brittany and Coombes, Brooke (2024). Exploring the relationship between trunk muscles and lower limb injuries in Australian badminton players. Journal of Biomechanics, 176 112325, 112325. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112325
2024
Book Chapter
The elbow
Vuvan, Viana, Coombes, Brooke, Bisset, Leanne and Vicenzino, Bill (2024). The elbow. Grieve's modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy. (pp. 505-517) edited by Deborah Falla, Chad Cook, Jeremy Lewis, Christopher McCarthy and Michele Sterling. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-8089-0.00060-4
2024
Journal Article
Adherence to exercise in lateral elbow tendinopathy, a scoping review
Taylor, Lindy, Wiebusch, Matheus, Bisset, Leanne M and Coombes, Brooke K (2024). Adherence to exercise in lateral elbow tendinopathy, a scoping review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 72 102978, 102978-72. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102978
2024
Journal Article
Is it time to step outside the laboratory? The feasibility of field‐based examination of exercise‐induced hypoalgesia in elite badminton athletes with and without knee pain
Coombes, Brooke K., Mendis, M. Dilani, Leung, Felix and Hides, Julie A. (2024). Is it time to step outside the laboratory? The feasibility of field‐based examination of exercise‐induced hypoalgesia in elite badminton athletes with and without knee pain. Translational Sports Medicine, 2024 (1) 2953220, 2953220. doi: 10.1155/2024/2953220
2024
Journal Article
Pain exacerbation following physical activity in adults with diabetic neuropathy: ecological momentary assessment of foot symptoms
Coombes, Brooke K., Sierra-Silvestre, Eva, Bisset, Leanne M., Mielke, Gregore Iven, Ware, Robert S., Coombes, Jeff S., Burton, Nicola W. and Coppieters, Michel W. (2024). Pain exacerbation following physical activity in adults with diabetic neuropathy: ecological momentary assessment of foot symptoms. Australian journal of general practice, 53 (3), 93-98. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-05-23-6821
2024
Journal Article
Mild untreated hypercholesterolaemia affects mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon but not gastrocnemius muscle
Coombes, Brooke K., Hanna, Monica, Thompson, Kaelah A., Coppieters, Michel W., Dick, Taylor J. M., Andrade, Ricardo J. and Barber, Lee (2024). Mild untreated hypercholesterolaemia affects mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon but not gastrocnemius muscle. Journal of Biomechanics, 166 112048. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112048
2024
Journal Article
Which psychological and psychosocial constructs are important to measure in future tendinopathy clinical trials? A modified international Delphi study with expert clinician/researchers and people with tendinopathy
Stubbs, Carl, Mc Auliffe, Sean, Chimenti, Ruth L., Coombes, Brooke K., Haines, Terry, Heales, Luke, de Vos, Robert-Jan, Lehman, Greg, Mallows, Adrian, Michner, Lori A., Millar, Neal B. W., O'Neill, Seth, O'Sullivan, Kieran, Plinsinga, Melanie, Rathleff, Michael, Rio, Ebonie, Ross, Megan, Roy, Jean-Sebastien, Silbernagel, Karin Gravare, Thomson, Athol, Trevail, Tim, Akker-Scheek, Inge, Vicenzino, Bill, Vlaeyen, Johan W. S., Pinto, Rafael Zambelli and Malliaras, Peter (2024). Which psychological and psychosocial constructs are important to measure in future tendinopathy clinical trials? A modified international Delphi study with expert clinician/researchers and people with tendinopathy. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 54 (1) 11903, 1-12. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2023.11903
2023
Journal Article
Personal Activity Intelligence eHealth intervention in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a feasibility study
Coombes, Brooke, Bisset, Leanne, Sierra-Silvestre, Eva, Ware, Robert, Coppieters, Michel, Coombes, Jeff and Burton, Nicola (2023). Personal Activity Intelligence eHealth intervention in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a feasibility study. Australian Journal of General Practice, 52 (11), 771-777. doi: 10.31128/ajgp-04-23-6797
2023
Journal Article
Current rehabilitation recommendations following primary triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal repair surgery: a survey of Australian hand therapists
McCarron, Luke, Coombes, Brooke K., Bindra, Randy and Bisset, Leanne (2023). Current rehabilitation recommendations following primary triangular fibrocartilage complex foveal repair surgery: a survey of Australian hand therapists. Journal of Hand Therapy, 36 (4), 932-939. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2023.08.009
2023
Journal Article
Efficacy of two doses of external counterpulsation (ECP) on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized SHAM-controlled trial
Coombes, Jeff S., Dias, Katrin A., Lal, Ravin, Fassett, Robert G., Wallen, Matthew P., Ramos, Joyce S., Russell, Suzanna, Vear, Natalie K., Gajanand, Trishan, Bailey, Tom G., Green, Daniel J., Coombes, Brooke K. and Roberts, Llion A. (2023). Efficacy of two doses of external counterpulsation (ECP) on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized SHAM-controlled trial. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 200 110701, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110701
2023
Other Outputs
Data of time course and risk profile of work-related neck disability
Xie, Yanfei, Johnston, Venerina, Thomas, Lucy and Coombes, Brooke (2023). Data of time course and risk profile of work-related neck disability. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/67e0858
2023
Journal Article
Cervical and axioscapular muscle stiffness measured with shear wave elastography: a comparison between different levels of work-related neck disability
Xie, Yanfei, Thomas, Lucy, Johnston, Venerina and Coombes, Brooke K. (2023). Cervical and axioscapular muscle stiffness measured with shear wave elastography: a comparison between different levels of work-related neck disability. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 69 102754, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2023.102754
2022
Journal Article
Motor Unit Recruitment is Altered When Acute Experimental Pain is Induced at a Site Distant to the Contracting Muscle
Cleary, Jennifer, Coombes, Brooke K., Hodges, Paul and Tucker, Kylie (2022). Motor Unit Recruitment is Altered When Acute Experimental Pain is Induced at a Site Distant to the Contracting Muscle. Neuroscience, 496, 141-151. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.015
2022
Journal Article
Time course and risk profile of work-related neck disability: a longitudinal latent class growth analysis
Xie, Yanfei, Coombes, Brooke K., Thomas, Lucy and Johnston, Venerina (2022). Time course and risk profile of work-related neck disability: a longitudinal latent class growth analysis. Physical Therapy, 102 (6) pzac050, 1-9. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac050
2022
Journal Article
ICON 2020—International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: A scoping review of psychological and psychosocial constructs and outcome measures reported in tendinopathy clinical trials
Mc Auliffe, Seán, Bisset, Leanne, Chester, Rachel, Coombes, Brooke K., Fearon, Angie, Kirwan, Paul, McCreesh, Karen, Mitham, Kieran, Morrissey, Dylan, O'Neill, Seth, Ross, Megan H., Sancho, Igor, Stephens, Gareth, Vallance, Patrick, van den Akker-Scheek, Inge, Vicenzino, Bill, Vuvan, Viana, Mallows, Adrian, Stubbs, Carl, Malliaras, Peter and Plinsinga, Melanie (2022). ICON 2020—International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: A scoping review of psychological and psychosocial constructs and outcome measures reported in tendinopathy clinical trials. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 52 (6), 375-388. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2022.11005
2022
Journal Article
Comparing what the clinician draws on a digital pain map to that of persons who have greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Plinsinga, Melanie L., Boudreau, Shellie A., Coombes, Brooke K., Mellor, Rebecca, Hayes, Sandi and Vicenzino, Bill (2022). Comparing what the clinician draws on a digital pain map to that of persons who have greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 22 (3), 506-514. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2021-0135
2022
Journal Article
Personal activity intelligence e-health program in people with type 2 diabetes: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Coombes, Jeff S., Keating, Shelley E., Mielke, Gregore I., Fassett, Robert G., Coombes, Brooke K., O'Leary, Kaitlyn P., Cox, Emily R. and Burton, Nicola W. (2022). Personal activity intelligence e-health program in people with type 2 diabetes: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 54 (1), 18-27. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002768
2021
Journal Article
Joint position sense, motor imagery and tactile acuity in lateral elbow tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study
Wiebusch, Matheus, Coombes, Brooke Kaye and Silva, Marcelo Faria (2021). Joint position sense, motor imagery and tactile acuity in lateral elbow tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 55 102422, 102422. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102422
2021
Journal Article
Heightened pain facilitation rather than impaired pain inhibition distinguishes those with moderate/severe disability in work-related neck pain
Xie, Yanfei, Thomas, Lucy, Barbero, Marco, Falla, Deborah, Johnston, Venerina and Coombes, Brooke K. (2021). Heightened pain facilitation rather than impaired pain inhibition distinguishes those with moderate/severe disability in work-related neck pain. Pain, 162 (8), 2225-2236. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002213
2021
Journal Article
An evidence-based evaluation of mobile health apps for the management of individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy using a systematic review framework
Heales, Luke J., Randall, Samantha, Vicenzino, Bill, Coombes, Brooke K. and Obst, Steven (2021). An evidence-based evaluation of mobile health apps for the management of individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy using a systematic review framework. Physical Therapy Reviews, 26 (4), 243-253. doi: 10.1080/10833196.2021.1885584
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Brooke Coombes is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A biopsychosocial approach to understanding neck pain among sonographers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lucy Thomas
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Advancing understanding of the multifactorial nature of greater trochanteric pain syndrome and the efficacy of self-management.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
Media
Enquiries
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