
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
2018
Journal Article
Shear-wave velocity of the patellar tendon and quadriceps muscle is increased immediately after maximal eccentric exercise
Heales, Luke J., Badya, Rohitha, Ziegenfuss, Brandon, Hug, François, Coombes, Jeff S., van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Tucker, Kylie and Coombes, Brooke K. (2018). Shear-wave velocity of the patellar tendon and quadriceps muscle is increased immediately after maximal eccentric exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 118 (8), 1715-1724. doi: 10.1007/s00421-018-3903-2
2018
Journal Article
Do insertional and mid-portion achilles tendinopathy display different material properties?
Coombes, B. K., Tucker, K., Vicenzino, B., Vuvan, V., Mellor, R., Heales, L., Nordez, A. and Hug, F. (2018). Do insertional and mid-portion achilles tendinopathy display different material properties?. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28 (10), 2247-2248. doi: 10.1111/sms.13265
2018
Journal Article
Response to considerations on "Achilles and patellar tendinopathy display opposite changes in elastic properties."
Coombes, Brooke Kaye, Tucker, Kylie, Vicenzino, Bill, Vuvan, Viana, Mellor, Rebecca, Heales, Luke, Nordez, Antoine and Hug, François (2018). Response to considerations on "Achilles and patellar tendinopathy display opposite changes in elastic properties.". Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28 (4), 1471-1472. doi: 10.1111/sms.13025
2018
Conference Publication
Isometric exercise or wait-and-see on pain, disability and global improvement in patients with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomised clinical trial
Vuvan, Viana, Vicenzino, Bill, Mellor, Rebecca, Heales, Luke and Coombes, Brooke (2018). Isometric exercise or wait-and-see on pain, disability and global improvement in patients with lateral epicondylalgia: a randomised clinical trial. Scandinavian Congress of Medicine and Science in Sports, Copenhagen, Denmark, February 2018. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099334.14
2018
Journal Article
Achilles and patellar tendinopathy display opposite changes in elastic properties: a shear wave elastography study
Coombes, B. K., Tucker, K., Vicenzino, B., Vuvan, V., Mellor, R., Heales, L., Nordez, A. and Hug, F. (2018). Achilles and patellar tendinopathy display opposite changes in elastic properties: a shear wave elastography study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28 (3), 1201-1208. doi: 10.1111/sms.12986
2018
Journal Article
Psychological factors not strength deficits are associated with severity of gluteal tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study
Plinsinga, M. L., Coombes, B. K., Mellor, R., Nicolson, P., Grimaldi, A., Hodges, P., Bennell, K. and Vicenzino, B. (2018). Psychological factors not strength deficits are associated with severity of gluteal tendinopathy: a cross-sectional study. European Journal of Pain, 22 (6), 1124-1133. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1199
2018
Journal Article
Workplace-Based Interventions for Neck Pain in Office Workers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Chen, Xiaoqi, Coombes, Brooke K, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Jun, Deokhoon, O'Leary, Shaun and Johnston, Venerina (2018). Workplace-Based Interventions for Neck Pain in Office Workers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical therapy, 98 (1), 40-62. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzx101
2017
Journal Article
Heterogeneity of passive elastic properties within the quadriceps femoris muscle-tendon unit
Coombes, Brooke K, Ziegenfuss, Brandon, David, Michael, Badya, Rohitha , van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Hug, François and Tucker, Kylie (2017). Heterogeneity of passive elastic properties within the quadriceps femoris muscle-tendon unit. European journal of applied physiology, 118 (1), 213-221. doi: 10.1007/s00421-017-3763-1
2017
Journal Article
Patellar and Achilles tendinopathies are predominantly peripheral pain states: a blinded case control study of somatosensory and psychological profiles
Plinsinga, Melanie L., van Wilgen, Cornelis P., Brink, Michel S., Vuvan, Viana, Stephenson, Aoife, Heales, Luke J., Mellor, Rebecca, Coombes, Brooke K. and Vicenzino, Bill T. (2017). Patellar and Achilles tendinopathies are predominantly peripheral pain states: a blinded case control study of somatosensory and psychological profiles. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (5), 284-291. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097163
2017
Journal Article
Comparison of corticosteroid, autologous blood or sclerosant injections for chronic tennis elbow
Branson, R., Naidu, K., du Toit, C., Rotstein, A. H., Kiss, R., McMillan, D., Fooks, L., Coombes, B. K. and Vicenzino, B. (2017). Comparison of corticosteroid, autologous blood or sclerosant injections for chronic tennis elbow. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20 (6), 528-533. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.10.010
2017
Conference Publication
Quantitative sensory testing in Achilles tendinopathy
Plinsinga, M., Vuvan, V., Mellor, R., Heales, L., van Wilgen, P., Brink, M., Coombes, B. and Vicenzino, B. (2017). Quantitative sensory testing in Achilles tendinopathy. 2016 SMA Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 12 – 15 October 2015. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.12.051
2017
Conference Publication
Pain and psychological characteristics in patellar tendinopathy
Plinsinga, M., Vuvan, V., Stephenson, A., Mellor, R., Heales, L., van Wilgen, P., Brink, M., Coombes, B. and Vicenzino, B. (2017). Pain and psychological characteristics in patellar tendinopathy. 2016 SMA Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 12 – 15 October 2015. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.12.048
2016
Journal Article
Economic evaluation favours physiotherapy but not corticosteroid injection as a first-line intervention for chronic lateral epicondylalgia: evidence from a randomised clinical trial
Coombes, Brooke K., Connelly, Luke, Bisset, Leanne and Vicenzino, Bill (2016). Economic evaluation favours physiotherapy but not corticosteroid injection as a first-line intervention for chronic lateral epicondylalgia: evidence from a randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50 (22), 1400-1405. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-094729
2016
Journal Article
Isometric exercise above but not below an individual’s pain threshold influences pain perception in people with lateral epicondylalgia
Coombes, Brooke Kaye, Wiebusch, Matheus, Heales, Luke, Stephenson, Aoife and Vicenzino, Bill (2016). Isometric exercise above but not below an individual’s pain threshold influences pain perception in people with lateral epicondylalgia. Clinical Journal of Pain, 32 (12), 1069-1075. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000365
2015
Journal Article
Management of lateral elbow tendinopathy: one size does not fit all
Coombes, Brooke K., Bisset, Leanne and Vicenzino, Bill (2015). Management of lateral elbow tendinopathy: one size does not fit all. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 45 (11), 938-949. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5841
2015
Journal Article
The impact of onsite workplace health-enhancing physical activity interventions on worker productivity: a systematic review
Pereira, Michelle Jessica, Coombes, Brooke Kaye, Comans, Tracy Anne and Johnston, Venerina (2015). The impact of onsite workplace health-enhancing physical activity interventions on worker productivity: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72 (6), 401-412. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102678
2015
Journal Article
Cold hyperalgesia associated with poorer prognosis in lateral epicondylalgia: a 1-year prognostic study of physical and psychological factors
Coombes, Brooke K., Bisset, Leanne and Vicenzino, Bill (2015). Cold hyperalgesia associated with poorer prognosis in lateral epicondylalgia: a 1-year prognostic study of physical and psychological factors. Clinical Journal of Pain, 31 (1), 30-35. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000078
2015
Book Chapter
Overview of contemporary issues in practice – The elbow
Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L. and Vicenzino, B. (2015). Overview of contemporary issues in practice – The elbow. Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. (pp. 583-594) Edinburgh, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2015
Conference Publication
Estimating the Monetary Value of Relief of Tennis Elbow: A Contingent Valuation Study of Willingness-To-Pay
Pereira, M. J., Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L. M., Vicenzino, B. and Connelly, L. (2015). Estimating the Monetary Value of Relief of Tennis Elbow: A Contingent Valuation Study of Willingness-To-Pay. ISPOR 18th Annual European Congress, Milan, Italy, 7-11 November 2015. New York, NY United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2015.09.2358
2014
Journal Article
Pragmatic study of corticosteroid injections and manual therapy for the shoulder impingement syndrome
Coombes, Brooke K. and Vicenzino, Bill (2014). Pragmatic study of corticosteroid injections and manual therapy for the shoulder impingement syndrome. Annals of Internal Medicine, 161 (3), 224-225. doi: 10.7326/M14-1405
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
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