Overview
Background
Zhiqi Liang is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Lecturer at the University of Queensland, where she teaches on the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) Program and holds a clinical role at the University of Queensland Physiotherapy Headache Clinic. Her research focuses on the mechanisms of neck pain in headache — particularly migraine — and on identifying treatment directions, including patient preferences, for individualised management.
In 2024, Zhiqi was awarded the David Lamb Award by the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT), recognising high-quality research that has made an international impact on musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She is a founding member of the Physiotherapy Special Interest Group within the International Headache Society, where she helps lead international research on physiotherapy management of headache and the development of headache curricula for physiotherapists.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Zhiqi's expertise is recognised through Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She remains actively involved in the College as an examiner and facilitator for the Specialisation Training Program and currently serves on the Board of Censors.
Availability
- Dr Zhiqi Liang is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy, University of Sydney
- Masters (Coursework) of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Migraine
Subgrouping for individualised management to optimise outcomes. Examining the use of physiotherapy interventions in migraine including neck treatments, exercise prescription, patient empowerment and modifiable contributing factors to migraine. Understanding the influence of migraine sensitisation on symptoms, physical assessment and management. When and how physiotherapy interventions fit in with other pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of migraine? Patient education for migraine
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Physiotherapy management of headache
Subgrouping, mixed headaches, multidisciplinary intervention, patient perspectives
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Neck pain in headaches
Mechanisms and treatment directions.
Works
Search Professor Zhiqi Liang’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
The Neck Disability Index reflects allodynia and headache disability but not cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in migraine
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2022). The Neck Disability Index reflects allodynia and headache disability but not cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in migraine. Physical Therapy, 102 (5) pzac027. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac027
2021
Journal Article
Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine. Archives of Physiotherapy, 11 (1) 27, 27. doi: 10.1186/s40945-021-00123-0
2021
Other Outputs
The nature of neck pain in migraine
Liang, Zhiqi (2021). The nature of neck pain in migraine. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/67752e6
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen, Minto, Joanne, Zareie, Hossein and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 61 (6), 882-894. doi: 10.1111/head.14136
2021
Journal Article
Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 48 (4), 487-516. doi: 10.1111/joor.13139
2020
Conference Publication
Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?. UQ Postgraduate Research Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 4 December 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?. UQ Postgraduate Research Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 4 December 2020.
2020
Journal Article
Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 47 (11), 1448-1478. doi: 10.1111/joor.13090
2019
Journal Article
Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension type headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liang, Zhiqi, Galea, Olivia, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2019). Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension type headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 42, 67-83. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.04.007
2014
Journal Article
Neck musculature fatigue affects specific frequency bands of postural dynamics during quiet standing
Liang, Zhiqi, Clark, Ross, Bryant, Adam, Quek, June and Pua, Yong Hao (2014). Neck musculature fatigue affects specific frequency bands of postural dynamics during quiet standing. Gait and Posture, 39 (1), 397-403. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.08.007
2013
Journal Article
Association between seated postural control and gait speed in knee osteoarthritis
Pua, Yong-Hao, Clark, Ross A., Ong, Peck-Hoon, Bryant, Adam L., Lo, Ngai-Nung and Liang, Zhiqi (2013). Association between seated postural control and gait speed in knee osteoarthritis. Gait and Posture, 37 (3), 413-418. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.08.014
2011
Journal Article
Associations of knee extensor strength and standing balance with physical function in knee osteoarthritis
Pua, Yong-Hao, Liang, Zhiqi, Ong, Peck-Hoon, Bryant, Adam L., Lo, Ngai-Nung and Clark, Ross A. (2011). Associations of knee extensor strength and standing balance with physical function in knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 63 (12), 1706-1714. doi: 10.1002/acr.20615
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Zhiqi Liang is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Migraine sensitisation: a potential role for self management and personalised medicine?
Hypersensitivity to various sorts of sensory stimuli is the hallmark of migraine. As patients cycle through the different phases of migraine, sensitivity levels fluctuate and is linked with more severe symtomatic presentations when present at high levels frequently. Simple ways to allow patients to track their own pattern of sensitivities and fluctuations may help them self-manage their condition but may also aid titration of pharmacological interventions such as when to increase or taper off dosage of prophylactic medications. This project will be suitable for someone with a clinical or biomedical background with an interest in sensitisation and or migraine.
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Cervical musculoskeletal disorder in migraine: a longitudinal study
Neck pain is prevalent in migraine and can be a symptom or a trigger of migraine, or simply comorbid. Our research has demonstrated that a subgroup of patients with migraine and neck pain have cervical musculoskeletal disorder whereas the others do not. What is unknown is how the presence of a cervical disorder interacts with migraine symptoms over time and whether it may be a predictor of migraine progression or regression. It is also unknown if the presence of neck pain or cervical disorder changes treatment seeking behaviours over time and has any impact on pharmacological management of migraine. This project will be suitable for a physiotherapist with some clinical experience and interest in neck disorders and headache.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Targeted upper cervical musculoskeletal management for primary headache
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven, Associate Professor Lucy Thomas
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Doctor Philosophy
Neck pain in tension type headache and exploring cervical musculoskeletal and sensory features
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven, Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull, Associate Professor Lucy Thomas
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Master Philosophy
Navigating diagnostic uncertainty in physiotherapy practice
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Roma Forbes, Dr Nathalia Costa, Dr Alana Dinsdale
Media
Enquiries
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