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
2020
Journal Article
Age-related differences in gastrocnemii muscles and Achilles tendon mechanical properties in vivo
Lindemann, India, Coombes, Brooke K., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François and Dick, Taylor J.M. (2020). Age-related differences in gastrocnemii muscles and Achilles tendon mechanical properties in vivo. Journal of Biomechanics, 112 110067, 110067. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110067
2020
Journal Article
Evaluation of patellar tendinopathy using the single leg decline squat test: is pain location important?
Coombes, Brooke K., Mendis, M. Dilani and Hides, Julie A. (2020). Evaluation of patellar tendinopathy using the single leg decline squat test: is pain location important?. Physical Therapy in Sport, 46, 254-259. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.10.002
2020
Journal Article
Comparing central pain processing in individuals with non-traumatic neck pain and healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Xie, Yanfei, Jun, Deokhoon, Thomas, Lucy, Coombes, Brooke and Johnston, Venerina (2020). Comparing central pain processing in individuals with non-traumatic neck pain and healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain, 21 (11-12), 1101-1124. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.02.007
2020
Journal Article
Musculoskeletal pain and disability in sonographers: more than an ergonomic issue
Xie, Yanfei, Coombes, Brooke K., Thomas, Lucy and Johnston, Venerina (2020). Musculoskeletal pain and disability in sonographers: more than an ergonomic issue. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, 33 (12), 1526-1527. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2020.07.005
2020
Journal Article
Effect of different exercise training intensities on musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain in inactive individuals with type 2 diabetes – preliminary randomised controlled trial
Cox, Emily R., Gajanand, Trishan, Burton, Nicola W., Coombes, Jeff S. and Coombes, Brooke K. (2020). Effect of different exercise training intensities on musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain in inactive individuals with type 2 diabetes – preliminary randomised controlled trial. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 164 108168, 108168. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108168
2020
Journal Article
Individuals with persistent greater trochanteric pain syndrome exhibit impaired pain modulation, as well as poorer physical and psychological health, compared with pain-free individuals: a cross-sectional study
Plinsinga, Melanie Louise, Coombes, Brooke Kaye, Mellor, Rebecca and Vicenzino, Bill (2020). Individuals with persistent greater trochanteric pain syndrome exhibit impaired pain modulation, as well as poorer physical and psychological health, compared with pain-free individuals: a cross-sectional study. Pain Medicine, 21 (11), 2964-2974. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa047
2020
Journal Article
Unsupervised isometric exercise versus wait-and-see for lateral elbow tendinopathy
Vuvan, Viana, Vicenzino, Bill, Mellor, Rebecca, Heales, Luke James and Coombes, Brooke Kaye (2020). Unsupervised isometric exercise versus wait-and-see for lateral elbow tendinopathy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 52 (2), 287-295. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002128
2019
Conference Publication
ICON 2019—International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: There are nine core health-related domains for tendinopathy (CORE DOMAINS): Delphi study of healthcare professionals and patients
Vicenzino, Bill, de Vos, Robert-Jan, Alfredson, Hakan, Bahr, Roald, Cook, Jill L., Coombes, Brooke K., Fu, Siu Ngor, Gravare Silbernagel, Karin, Grimaldi, Alison, Lewis, Jeremy S., Maffulli, Nicola, Magnusson, S. P., Malliaras, Peter, Mc Auliffe, Sean, Oei, Edwin H. G., Purdam, Craig, Rees, Jonathan D., Rio, Ebonie Kendra, Scott, Alex, Speed, Cathy, Akker-Scheek, Inge van den, Weir, Adam, Wolf, Jennifer Moriatis and Zwerver, Johannes (2019). ICON 2019—International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: There are nine core health-related domains for tendinopathy (CORE DOMAINS): Delphi study of healthcare professionals and patients. London, United Kingdom: BMJ. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100894
2019
Journal Article
Physical findings differ between individuals with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and healthy controls: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Plinsinga, Melanie Louise, Ross, Megan Heather, Coombes, Brooke Kaye and Vicenzino, Bill (2019). Physical findings differ between individuals with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and healthy controls: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 43, 83-90. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.07.009
2019
Conference Publication
Cross-sectional study of somatosensory and psychological features, and pain comorbidity in severe lateral elbow tendinopathy
Vuvan, V., Mellor, R., Coombes, B., Heales, L., Hodges, P., Farrell, M. and Vicenzino, B. (2019). Cross-sectional study of somatosensory and psychological features, and pain comorbidity in severe lateral elbow tendinopathy. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Twin Waters, QLD Australia, 23-26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.235
2019
Journal Article
Quantifying cervical and axioscapular muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography
Xie, Yanfei, Thomas, Lucy, Hug, François, Johnston, Venerina and Coombes, Brooke K. (2019). Quantifying cervical and axioscapular muscle stiffness using shear wave elastography. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 48, 94-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.06.009
2019
Journal Article
ICON PART-T 2019–International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: recommended standards for reporting participant characteristics in tendinopathy research (PART-T)
Rio, Ebonie Kendra, Mc Auliffe, Sean, Kuipers, Irene, Girdwood, Michael, Alfredson, Hakan, Bahr, Roald, Cook, Jill L, Coombes, Brooke, Fu, Siu Ngor, Grimaldi, Alison, de Vos, Robert-Jan, Lewis, Jeremy S, Maffulli, Nicola, Malliaras, Peter, Magnusson, S P, Oei, Edwin H G, Purdam, Craig Robert, Rees, Jonathan D, Scott, Alex, Gravare Silbernagel, Karin, Speed, Cathy, Akker-Scheek, Inge van den, Vicenzino, Bill T, Weir, Adam, Wolf, Jennifer Moriatis and Zwerver, Johannes (2019). ICON PART-T 2019–International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: recommended standards for reporting participant characteristics in tendinopathy research (PART-T). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54 (11), bjsports-2019. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100957
2019
Journal Article
ICON 2019: International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: Clinical Terminology
Scott, Alex, Squier, Kipling, Alfredson, Hakan, Bahr, Roald, Cook, Jill L, Coombes, Brooke, de Vos, Robert-Jan, Fu, Siu Ngor, Grimaldi, Alison, Lewis, Jeremy S, Maffulli, Nicola, Magnusson, SP, Malliaras, Peter, Mc Auliffe, Sean, Oei, Edwin H G, Purdam, Craig Robert, Rees, Jonathan D, Rio, Ebonie Kendra, Gravare Silbernagel, Karin, Speed, Cathy, Weir, Adam, Wolf, Jennifer Moriatis, Akker-Scheek, Inge van den, Vicenzino, Bill T and Zwerver, Johannes (2019). ICON 2019: International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium Consensus: Clinical Terminology. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54 (5), bjsports-2019. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100885
2019
Journal Article
Relationships between cardiovascular disease risk factors and Achilles tendon structural and mechanical properties in people with Type 2 Diabetes
Coombes, B. K., Tucker, K., Hug, F., Scott, A., Geytenbeek, M., Cox, E. R., Gajanand, T. and Coombes, J. S. (2019). Relationships between cardiovascular disease risk factors and Achilles tendon structural and mechanical properties in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Mltj-Muscles Ligaments and Tendons Journal, 9 (3), 395-404. doi: 10.32098/mltj.03.2019.14
2019
Journal Article
Not a painless condition: rheumatological and musculoskeletal symptoms in type 2 diabetes, and the implications for exercise participation
Cox, Emily R., Coombes, Jeff S., Keating, Shelley E., Burton, Nicola W. and Coombes, Brooke K. (2019). Not a painless condition: rheumatological and musculoskeletal symptoms in type 2 diabetes, and the implications for exercise participation. Current Diabetes Reviews, 15 (3), 211-219. doi: 10.2174/1573399815666190531083504
2019
Journal Article
Exercise-induced muscle damage on the contractile properties of the lumbar paraspinal muscles: a laser displacement mechanomyographic approach
Than, Christian, Roberts, Llion, Coombes, Brooke K., Tosovic, Danijel and Brown, J. Mark (2019). Exercise-induced muscle damage on the contractile properties of the lumbar paraspinal muscles: a laser displacement mechanomyographic approach. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119 (3), 761-770. doi: 10.1007/s00421-018-04067-5
2019
Conference Publication
Supervised exercise training and Achilles tendon properties in people with Type 2 Diabetes
Coombes, B., Tucker, K., Hug, F., Scott, A., Cox, E., Gajanand, T. and Coombes, J. (2019). Supervised exercise training and Achilles tendon properties in people with Type 2 Diabetes. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Twin Waters, QLD, Australia, 23-26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.280
2019
Conference Publication
Development and evaluation of online education for greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Protocol for a randomized control trial
Plinsinga, M., Mellor, R., Grimaldi, A., Coombes, B. and Vicenzino, B. (2019). Development and evaluation of online education for greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Protocol for a randomized control trial. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Maroochydore, QLD Australia, 23-26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.133
2019
Conference Publication
The multimodal nature of persistent greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Plinsinga, M., Coombes, B., Mellor, R. and Vicenzino, B. (2019). The multimodal nature of persistent greater trochanteric pain syndrome. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Maroochydore, QLD Australia, 23 – 26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.179
2018
Journal Article
Stretching the evidence behind tennis elbow: mobile app user guide
Heales, Luke J., Lastella, Michele, Coombes, Brooke K. and Vicenzino, Bill (2018). Stretching the evidence behind tennis elbow: mobile app user guide. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (19) e5, e5-e5. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098093
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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