
Overview
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
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Clinical trials, n-of-1 trials, research methodology, personalised medicine, individual treatments
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Single Case Experimental Designs
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Whiplash, minor musculoskeletal injury, opioid prescribing
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ADHD, children, sleep
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Melatonin
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Parkinson's Disease
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Skin cancer prevention, improving children's sun protection practices
Works
Search Professor Jane Nikles’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2001
Journal Article
Bias Influencing Maternal Reports of Child Behaviour and Emotional State
Najman, J. M., Williams, G. M., Nikles, J., Spence, S., Bor, W., O'Callaghan, M., Le Brocque, R., Andersen, M. J. and Shuttlewood, G. J. (2001). Bias Influencing Maternal Reports of Child Behaviour and Emotional State. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 36 (4), 186-194. doi: 10.1007/s001270170062
Featured
2000
Journal Article
Preliminary experiences with a single-patient trials service in general practice
Nikles, C. J., Glasziou, P. P., Del Mar, C. B., Duggan, C. M., Clavarino, A. M. and Yelland, M. J. (2000). Preliminary experiences with a single-patient trials service in general practice. Medical Journal of Australia, 173 (2), 100-103. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb139254.x
Featured
2000
Journal Article
Mothers' mental illness and child behavior problems: Cause-effect association or observation bias
Najman, J. M., Williams, G. M., Nikles, J., Spence, S. H., Bor, W., O'Callaghan, M., Le Brocque, R. M. and Andersen, M.J. (2000). Mothers' mental illness and child behavior problems: Cause-effect association or observation bias. Journal of The American Academy of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry, 39 (5), 592-602. doi: 10.1097/00004583-200005000-00013
Featured
2000
Journal Article
N of 1 trials: practical tools for medication management
Nikles, C. J., Glasziou, P. P., Del Mar, C. B., Duggan, C. and Mitchell, G. K. (2000). N of 1 trials: practical tools for medication management. Australian Family Physician, 29 (11), 1108-1112.
Featured
2000
Journal Article
Managing ADHD in general practice: N of 1 trials can help
Duggan, C., Mitchell, G., Nikles, J., Glasziou, P. and Del Mar, C. (2000). Managing ADHD in general practice: N of 1 trials can help. Australian Family Physician, 29, 1205-1209.
Featured
2000
Journal Article
Managing ADHD in general practice. N of 1 trials can help!
Duggan, C. M., Mitchell, G. K., Nikles, C. J., Glasziou, P. P., Del Mar, C. B. and Clavarino, A. M. (2000). Managing ADHD in general practice. N of 1 trials can help!. Australian Family Physician, 29 (12), 1205-1209.
2024
Conference Publication
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder
Ezedinma, U., Burgess, S., Singh, J., Jones, E., Nikles, J., Ladmas, A., Campell, G., Fjaagesund, S., Swierkowski, P., Metse, A., Downer, T. and Oprescu, F. (2024). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.045
2024
Journal Article
The potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for addressing sleep difficulties in children with autism – A brief communication
Ezedinma, Uchenna, Burgess, Scott, Nikles, Jane, Downer, Terri, Jones, Evan, Metse, Alexandra, Fjaagesund, Shauna and Oprescu, Florin (2024). The potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for addressing sleep difficulties in children with autism – A brief communication. Sleep Medicine, 118, 78-80. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.04.005
2024
Journal Article
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stimulant trial in children: an N-of-1 pilot trial to compare stimulant to placebo (FASST): protocol
Crichton, Alison, Harris, Katrina, McGree, James M., Nikles, Jane, Anderson, Peter J. and Williams, Katrina (2024). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stimulant trial in children: an N-of-1 pilot trial to compare stimulant to placebo (FASST): protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (4) e071266, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071266
2024
Book Chapter
N-of-1 research designs
Nikles, Jane, Hams, Andrea, Sterling, Michele and Evans, Kerrie (2024). N-of-1 research designs. Grieve's modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy. (pp. 95-101) edited by Deborah Falla, Jeremy Lewis, Christopher McCarthy, Chad E. Cook and Michele Sterling. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-8089-0.00016-1
2023
Journal Article
Serial cross‐sectional observations of sun‐protective behaviors at an annual outdoor motorsport event in Tropical Queensland, Australia
Dexter, Ben, Smith, Annika, King, Rachel, Downs, Nathan J., Nikles, Catherine Jane, Parisi, Alfio V., Ho, Yik‐Hong and Harrison, Simone Lee (2023). Serial cross‐sectional observations of sun‐protective behaviors at an annual outdoor motorsport event in Tropical Queensland, Australia. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 99 (5), 1352-1356. doi: 10.1111/php.13773
2023
Book Chapter
N-of-1 research designs
Nikles, J., Hams, A., Sterling, M. and Evans, K. (2023). N-of-1 research designs. Grieve's modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy. (pp. 1-20) London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
2022
Journal Article
A systematic review of N-of-1 trials and single case experimental designs in physiotherapy for musculoskeletal conditions
Nikles, J., Evans, K., Hams, A. and Sterling, M. (2022). A systematic review of N-of-1 trials and single case experimental designs in physiotherapy for musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 62 102639, 102639. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102639
2022
Conference Publication
A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain
Nikles, J., Johnston, A., van Driel, M., Perez, S., Ritchie, C., Elphinston, R. and Sterling, M. (2022). A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain. Recover Injury Research Centre Conference, Brisbane, Australia, October 2022.
2022
Journal Article
The effectiveness of aerobic versus strengthening exercise therapy in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a randomised single case experimental design study
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Nikles, Jane, Coombes, Jeff S., Onghena, Patrick and Sterling, Michele (2022). The effectiveness of aerobic versus strengthening exercise therapy in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a randomised single case experimental design study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45 (21), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2127937
2022
Journal Article
Pregabalin vs placebo to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals: Results of a feasibility study for a large randomised controlled trial
Nikles, Jane, Keijzers, Gerben, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Farrell, Scott F., Perez, Siegfried, Schug, Stephan, Ware, Robert S., McLean, Samuel A., Connelly, Luke B. and Sterling, Michele (2022). Pregabalin vs placebo to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals: Results of a feasibility study for a large randomised controlled trial. Pain, 163 (2), E274-E284. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002362
2021
Journal Article
Comparing pregabalin and gabapentin for persistent neuropathic pain: a protocol for a pilot N-of-1 trial series
Bashford, Guy, Tan, Samuel X., McGree, James, Murdoch, Veronica and Nikles, Jane (2021). Comparing pregabalin and gabapentin for persistent neuropathic pain: a protocol for a pilot N-of-1 trial series. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 24 100852, 100852. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100852
2021
Conference Publication
Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease
Nikles, J., Mitchell, G. K., Smith, S. S., McGree, J. M., McDonald, S., Poli, N., Senior, H., Tan, S., Dissanyaka, N., Ritchie, A. and O'Sullivan, J. D. (2021). Using N-of-1 tests to identify responders to melatonin for sleep disturbance in Parkinson’s Disease. Australian Clinical Trials Alliance conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, November 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Identified Personalised Patterns and Triggers of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis using Insights from Patient-Centred N-of-1 Observational Studies: A Protocol
McDonald, S., Pickering, G., McGree, J., Mitchell, G. and Nikles, J. (2021). Identified Personalised Patterns and Triggers of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis using Insights from Patient-Centred N-of-1 Observational Studies: A Protocol. Progress in MS Research Scientific Conference, Hobart, TAS, Australia, November 2021.
2021
Journal Article
N-of-1 trials in neurology: a systematic review
Stunnenberg, Bas C, Berends, Joost, Griggs, Robert C, Statland, Jeffrey, Drost, Gea, Nikles, Jane, Groenewoud, Hans, van Engelen, Baziel G.M., Jan van der Wilt, Gert and Raaphorst, Joost (2021). N-of-1 trials in neurology: a systematic review. Neurology, 98 (2), e174-e185. doi: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012998
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Jane Nikles is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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.
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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
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
N-of-1 Trials as a Bioequivalence Method to assess local medicines in resources limited countries: the case of Anti-hypertensive Medicines in Ethiopia
Associate Advisor
Media
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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