Associate Professor Jane Nikles
Associate Professor

Jane Nikles

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Background

I am a registered medical practitioner with a PhD from The University of Queensland. My doctoral work was in the field of population health, and focused on the use of N-of-1 trial methodology in clinical practice. I have two major research areas: N-of-1 trials/Single Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs), and whiplash and other musculoskeletal pain after Road Traffic Crashes.

I played a key role in setting up and sustaining UQ’s N-of-1 trials Unit since 1998, and am a key driver of its success, resulting in UQ becoming a world leader in N-of-1 trials since 2009. . Building on my 20 year clinical research career at UQ, I lead the research program at UQCCR in N-of-1 trials, and am a recognised leader in this field both in Australia and internationally. In addition, my skills include trial design and management more broadly.

I am also working at Recover Injury Research Centre in the field of recovery following Road Traffic injuries. Within the Designing Better Therapies research program, my main focus is on improving early management and reducing opioid prescribing for minor musculoskeletal injuries after Road Traffic Crashes. My other area of research is in applying Single Case Experimental Designs to work towards better therapies after injury, especially when caused by Road Traffic Crashes.

Availability

Associate Professor Jane Nikles is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Clinical trials, n-of-1 trials, research methodology, personalised medicine, individual treatments

  • Single Case Experimental Designs

  • Whiplash, minor musculoskeletal injury, opioid prescribing

  • ADHD, children, sleep

  • Melatonin

  • Parkinson's Disease

  • Skin cancer prevention, improving children's sun protection practices

Search Professor Jane Nikles’s works on UQ eSpace

185 works between 1983 and 2024
All (185) Journal Article (85) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (88) Book (3) Other Outputs (4)

1 - 20 of 185 works

Featured

2014

Journal Article

Aggregated n-of-1 trials of central nervous system stimulants versus placebo for paediatric traumatic brain injury: a pilot study

Nikles, Catherine J., McKinlay, Lynne, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Carmont, Sue-Ann S., Senior, Hugh E., Waugh, Mary-Clare A., Epps, Adrienne, Schluter, Philip J. and Lloyd, Owen T. (2014). Aggregated n-of-1 trials of central nervous system stimulants versus placebo for paediatric traumatic brain injury: a pilot study. Trials, 15 (54) 54, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-54

Aggregated n-of-1 trials of central nervous system stimulants versus placebo for paediatric traumatic brain injury: a pilot study

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Do pilocarpine drops help dry mouth in palliative care patients: a protocol for an aggregated series of n-of-1 trials

Nikles, Jane, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Hardy, Janet, Agar, Meera, Senior, Hugh, Carmont, Sue-Ann, Schluter, Philip J., Good, Phillip, Vora, Rohan and Currow, David (2013). Do pilocarpine drops help dry mouth in palliative care patients: a protocol for an aggregated series of n-of-1 trials. BMC Palliative Care, 12 (39) 39, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/1472-684X-12-39

Do pilocarpine drops help dry mouth in palliative care patients: a protocol for an aggregated series of n-of-1 trials

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Central nervous system stimulants for secondary attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder after paediatric traumatic brain injury: a rationale and protocol for single patient (n-of-1) multiple cross-over trials

Senior, Hugh E. J., McKinlay, Lynne, Nikles, Jane, Schluter, Philip J., Carmont, Sue-Ann, Waugh, Mary-Clare, Epps, Adrienne, Lloyd, Owen and Mitchell, Geoffrey K. (2013). Central nervous system stimulants for secondary attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder after paediatric traumatic brain injury: a rationale and protocol for single patient (n-of-1) multiple cross-over trials. BMC Pediatrics, 13 (1) 89, 89.1-89.7. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-89

Central nervous system stimulants for secondary attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder after paediatric traumatic brain injury: a rationale and protocol for single patient (n-of-1) multiple cross-over trials

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Using aggregated single patient (N-of-1) trials to determine the effectiveness of psychostimulants to reduce fatigue in advanced cancer patients: a rationale and protocol

Senior, Hugh E. J., Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Nikles, Jane, Carmont, Sue-Ann, Schluter, Philip J., Currow, David C., Vora, Rohan, Yelland, Michael J., Agar, Meera, Good, Phillip D. and Hardy, Janet R. (2013). Using aggregated single patient (N-of-1) trials to determine the effectiveness of psychostimulants to reduce fatigue in advanced cancer patients: a rationale and protocol. BMC Palliative Care, 12 (1) 17, 17.1-17.6. doi: 10.1186/1472-684X-12-17

Using aggregated single patient (N-of-1) trials to determine the effectiveness of psychostimulants to reduce fatigue in advanced cancer patients: a rationale and protocol

Featured

2012

Journal Article

Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents (Protocol)

Punja, Salima, Shamseer, Larissa, Hartling, Lisa, Urichuk, Liana, Vandermeer, Ben, Nikles, Catherine J. and Vohra, Sunita (2012). Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (7). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009996

Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents (Protocol)

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Impact of the SunSmart Early Childhood Program in Queensland

Harrison, Simone, Saunders, Vicki and Nikles, Jane (2012). Impact of the SunSmart Early Childhood Program in Queensland. Townsville Health Research Week, Townsville, QLD, Australia, 8 - 12 October 2012. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Australasian College of Tropical Medicine.

Impact of the SunSmart Early Childhood Program in Queensland

Featured

2011

Journal Article

Aggregating single patient (n-of-1) trials in populations where recruitment and retention was difficult: The case of palliative care

Nikles, Jane, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Schluter, Philip, Good, Phillip, Hardy, Janet, Rowett, Debra, Shelby-James, Tania, Vohra, Sunita and Currow, David (2011). Aggregating single patient (n-of-1) trials in populations where recruitment and retention was difficult: The case of palliative care. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 64 (5), 471-480. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.05.009

Aggregating single patient (n-of-1) trials in populations where recruitment and retention was difficult: The case of palliative care

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Pilot study to determine the optimal dose of methylphenidate for an n-of-1 trial for fatigue in patients with cancer

Hardy, Janet Rea, Carmont, Sue-Ann S., O'Shea, Angela, Vora, Rohan, Schluter, Philip, Nikles, Catherine Jane and Mitchell, Geoffrey Keith (2010). Pilot study to determine the optimal dose of methylphenidate for an n-of-1 trial for fatigue in patients with cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13 (10), 1193-1197. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2010.0185

Pilot study to determine the optimal dose of methylphenidate for an n-of-1 trial for fatigue in patients with cancer

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Using N-of-1 Trials to improve patient management and save costs

Scuffham, Paul A., Nikles, Jane, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Yelland, Michael J., Vine, Norma, Poulos, Christopher J., Pillans, Peter I., Bashford, Guy, del Mar, Chris, Schluter, Philip J. and Glasziou, Paul (2010). Using N-of-1 Trials to improve patient management and save costs. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25 (9), 906-913. doi: 10.1007/s11606-010-1352-7

Using N-of-1 Trials to improve patient management and save costs

Featured

2010

Journal Article

Stakeholders' views on the routine use of n-of-1 trials to improve clinical care and to make resource allocation decisions for drug use

Nikles, Jane, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Clavarino, Alexandra, Yelland, Michael J. and Del Mar, Christopher B. (2010). Stakeholders' views on the routine use of n-of-1 trials to improve clinical care and to make resource allocation decisions for drug use. Australian Health Review, 34 (1), 131-136. doi: 10.1071/AH09654

Stakeholders' views on the routine use of n-of-1 trials to improve clinical care and to make resource allocation decisions for drug use

Featured

2009

Journal Article

Prioritising drugs for single patient (n-of-1) trials in palliative care

Nikles, J., Mitchell, G., Walters, J., Hardy, J., Good, P., Rowett, D., Shelby-James, T. and Currow, D. (2009). Prioritising drugs for single patient (n-of-1) trials in palliative care. Palliative Medicine, 23 (7), 623-634. doi: 10.1177/0269216309106461

Prioritising drugs for single patient (n-of-1) trials in palliative care

Featured

2009

Journal Article

N-of-1 Randomized Trials to Assess the Efficacy of Gabapentin for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Yelland, Michael J., Poulos, Christopher J., Pillans, Peter I., Bashford, Guy M., Nikles, Catherine Jane, Sturtevant, Joanna M., Vine, Norma, Del Mar, Christopher, Schluter, Philip J., Tan, Meng, Chan, Jonathon, Mackenzie, Fraser and Brown, Robyn (2009). N-of-1 Randomized Trials to Assess the Efficacy of Gabapentin for Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Pain Medicine, 10 (4), 754-761. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00615.x

N-of-1 Randomized Trials to Assess the Efficacy of Gabapentin for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Featured

2008

Journal Article

Are N-of-1 trials an economically viable option to improve access to selected high cost medications? The Australian experience

Scuffham, P. A., Yelland, M. J., Nikles, C. J., Pietrzak, E. and Wilkinson, D. (2008). Are N-of-1 trials an economically viable option to improve access to selected high cost medications? The Australian experience. Value in Health, 11 (1), 97-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2007.00218.x

Are N-of-1 trials an economically viable option to improve access to selected high cost medications? The Australian experience

Featured

2007

Journal Article

Long-term changes in management following n-of-1 trials of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Nikles, C. Jane, Mitchell, Geoffrey K., Del Mar, Chris B., McNairn, Norma and Clavarino, Alexandra (2007). Long-term changes in management following n-of-1 trials of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 63 (11), 985-989. doi: 10.1007/s00228-007-0361-x

Long-term changes in management following n-of-1 trials of stimulants in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Featured

2007

Journal Article

Celecoxib compared with sustained release paracetamol for osteoarthritis: a series of n-of-1 trials

Yelland, M. J., Nikles, C. J., McNairn, N., Del Mar, C. B., Schluter, P. J. and Brown, R. M. (2007). Celecoxib compared with sustained release paracetamol for osteoarthritis: a series of n-of-1 trials. Rheumatology, 46 (1), 135-140. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kel195

Celecoxib compared with sustained release paracetamol for osteoarthritis: a series of n-of-1 trials

Featured

2006

Other Outputs

Using n-of-1 trials as a diagnostic clinical tool

Nikles, Jane (2006). Using n-of-1 trials as a diagnostic clinical tool. PhD Thesis, Population Health, The University of Queensland.

Using n-of-1 trials as a diagnostic clinical tool

Featured

2006

Journal Article

An n-of-1 trial service in clinical practice: Testing the effectiveness of stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Nikles, C. J., Mitchell, G. K., Del Mar, C. B., Clavarino, A. and McNairn, N. (2006). An n-of-1 trial service in clinical practice: Testing the effectiveness of stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics, 117 (6), 2040-2046. doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-1328

An n-of-1 trial service in clinical practice: Testing the effectiveness of stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Featured

2005

Journal Article

Using n-of-1 trials as a clinical tool to improve prescribing

Nikles, C. J., Clavarino, A. M. and Del Mar, C. B. (2005). Using n-of-1 trials as a clinical tool to improve prescribing. British Journal Of General Practice, 55 (512), 175-180.

Using n-of-1 trials as a clinical tool to improve prescribing

Featured

2005

Journal Article

The role of paracetamol in chronic pain: An evidence-based approach

Nikles, C. J., Yelland, M., Del Mar, C. and Wilkinson, D. (2005). The role of paracetamol in chronic pain: An evidence-based approach. American Journal of Therapeutics, 12 (1), 80-91. doi: 10.1097/00045391-200501000-00011

The role of paracetamol in chronic pain: An evidence-based approach

Featured

2003

Journal Article

Valerian does not appear to reduce symptoms for patients with chronic insomnia in general practice using a series of randomised n-of-I trials

Coxeter, P. D., Schluter, P. J., Eastwood, H. L., Nikles, C. J. and Glasziou, P. P. (2003). Valerian does not appear to reduce symptoms for patients with chronic insomnia in general practice using a series of randomised n-of-I trials. Complementary Therapies In Medicine, 11 (4), 215-222. doi: 10.1016/S0965-2299(03)00122-5

Valerian does not appear to reduce symptoms for patients with chronic insomnia in general practice using a series of randomised n-of-I trials

Current funding

  • 2024
    Co-creation and evaluation of a culturally appropriate mHealth intervention to support management of chronic musculoskeletal pain among people from culturally and linguistically diverse background
    Health Translation Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Identifying effective self-management options for individual patients with persistent neck and/or back pain following road traffic crashes: a general practice-based feasibility study
    Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    StudyU: a personalised digital tool to improve self-management of chronic non-cancer pain and support shared decision-making in general practice
    Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Personalising non-pharmacological management of chronic non-cancer pain
    Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    PRioRTI: PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury
    NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Making it Personal: Feasibility and Acceptability of using N-of-1 Studies to Identify Personalised Fatigue Patterns and Triggers in Multiple Sclerosis
    Incubator Grant Scheme
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Early prevention of chronic musculoskeletal pain after injury: a survey of GP attitudes and behaviours
    Health Developments Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    StudyU: A Unique Tool to Self-Manage Chronic Pain
    Health Developments Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    MTP Connect REDI Bridge Industry Fellowship
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Opioids and other prescription medicines use in people presenting to Queensland emergency departments for acute minor (non-admitted) Road Traffic Crash injury: a one year community follow-up study usi
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson's disease
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Preventing chronic pain after whiplash injury
    Emergency Medicine Foundation Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2018
    Melatonin for initial insomnia in stimulant-treated pediatric ADHD
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    N-of-1 trials of stimulants compared to placebo for traumatic brain injury in children
    Motor Accident Insurance Commission
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    n-of-1 trials of pilocarpine vs placebo for dry mouth in palliative care patients
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Stimulants compared to placebo for paediatric traumatic brain inquiry
    Children's Health Foundation Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Using n-of 1 trials to determine the effectiveness of paracetamol in advanced cancer patients on opioids
    NHMRC Palliative Care Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    N-OF-1 trials of stimulant vs. placebo for paediatric traumatic brain injury
    Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2012
    Using single patient trials to determine the effectiveness of psychostimulants in end stage fatigue in cancer patients.
    NHMRC Palliative Care Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    N-OF-1 Trials comparing stimulants with placebo for traumatic brain injury in children
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Identifying priority drugs for n-of-1 trials in palliative care research
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2011
    NHMRC Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowship: What is the place of IMETs in difficult to research clinical conditions: palliative care as a case study
    NHMRC Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2006
    Can routine N-of-1 studies improve net benefits and reduce costs by better targeting chronic therapy?
    NHMRC: State Commonwealth Research Issues Forum
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Do N-of-1trials improve concordance with management decsions? Piloting a randomised controlled trial
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Single Patient Trials: Phase I - The consumer's perspective
    Dpt Health & Aged Care Pharmaceutical Ed Program
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Jane Nikles is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Opioid use and misuse following road traffic musculoskeletal injury

    Recent research by our group has shown that opioids are inappropriately prescribed for people with musculoskeletal pain after a road traffic crash. This project will explore this issue by longitudinal investigation of opioid use after injury and by using qualitative methods to explore reasons underlying opioid use in injured people and health care providers. It will also explore the physiotherapist's role in preventing opioid misuse.

  • N-of-1 trials in health care, melatonin, complementary and alternative medicines.

    N-of-1 trials in health care, melatonin, complementary and alternative medicines.

    Projects available mostly on clinical neuroscience topics – eg sleep, pain – but discussion on other topics welcome.

    Please contact me on uqjnikle@uq.edu.au to discuss several available projects.

Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Jane Nikles directly for media enquiries about:

  • ADHD
  • children
  • Clinical trials
  • General practice research
  • individualised treatments
  • melatonin
  • N-of-1 trials
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Personalised medicine
  • Single Case Experimental Designs
  • sleep

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