Overview
Background
Michele Sterling is a NHMRC Leadership Fellow (leadership level 2), Professor in the Recover Injury Research Centre, Program Lead of the Musculoskeletal Injury research program and Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury. She is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She is internationally recognised for her research on whiplash-associated disorders. Michele’s research focusses on the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic pain after injury, predictive algorithms for outcomes and developing effective interventions for musculoskeletal injury and pain. She has received over $50M in research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, ARC and industry partners, including 7 NHMRC project grants, and 2 Centres of Research Excellence. Michele holds editorial roles with several leading journals and textbooks, including being a Section Editor of PAIN and co-editors of the 4th and 5th editions of the seminal physiotherapy textbook 'Grieve's Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy). Michele has published over 325 scientific works and has received numerous awards for her research including the Research Australia Research Translation award in 2023. Examples of recognition as a national and international leader in the field include:
2024- Secretary of the Executive Council - International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
2022-2024 Chair Scientific Program Committee World Pain Congress, Amsterdam 2024
2023-2027 NHMRC Leadership Fellow (Level 2) for research of road traffic injury.
2023 Research Australia Research Translation award
2016-2022 Council member International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma, Curtin University of Technology
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Professor Sterling’s research program on the discovery of novel prognostic indicators and treatments to improve recovery led transformational change in clinical practice and compensation systems. Based on seminal research on the phenotyping of whiplash over many years, CI Sterling developed and tested the StressModex intervention for acute whiplash. StressModex is recommended by Australian Guidelines for management of Acute Whiplash (2024), is included in the physiotherapy curriculum at Australian universities and has been adapted for use internationally (e.g. Denmark). It has been taken up by insurance stakeholders (Suncorp, Allianz) resulting in improve health outcomes for injured people. To enhance translation of research, CI Sterling, in partnership with MAIC, SIRA and Allianz, co-led the establishment of MyWhiplashNavigator, a one-stop on-line resource for people with whiplash injury, training opportunities for health care providers and insurers. Sterling’s strong collaboration with key industry and government regulators in 5 states, peak professional bodies and consumers informed 2 NHMRC CRE’s [CIA] which have translated prognostic and RCT data into practice and policy via education (>2000 participants, >25 countries). CI Sterling’s research has improved management of musculoskeletal injury worldwide, cited in Clinical & Medico-legal Guidelines that are endorsed by > 10 international peak bodies and was used by the UK House of Commons Recommendations to avert escalating costs associated with fraudulent whiplash claims. Subsequently, the UK govt. established an on-line educational platform based on CI Sterling’s research to accredit medical examiners in evidence-based assessment.
Works
Search Professor Michele Sterling’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Journal Article
The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Physiological Arousal, Disability and Sensory Pain Thresholds in Patients with Chronic Whiplash
Dunne-Proctor, Rachael L., Kenardy, Justin and Sterling, Michele (2015). The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Physiological Arousal, Disability and Sensory Pain Thresholds in Patients with Chronic Whiplash. Clinical Journal of Pain, 32 (8), 645-653. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000309
2015
Journal Article
Modulation of cervical facet joint nociception and pain attenuates physical and psychological features of chronic whiplash: a prospective study
Smith, Ashley Dean, Jull, Gwendolen, Schneider, Geoff M., Frizzell, Bevan, Hooper, Robert A. and Sterling, Michele (2015). Modulation of cervical facet joint nociception and pain attenuates physical and psychological features of chronic whiplash: a prospective study. PM and R, 7 (9), 913-921. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.03.014
2015
Book Chapter
Whiplash injury pain
Sterling, M. and Curatolo, M. (2015). Whiplash injury pain. Musculoskeletal pain: basic mechanisms and implications. (pp. 1-1) Washington, DC, United States: Wolters Kluwer Health Adis (ESP).
2014
Journal Article
Physiotherapists' beliefs about whiplash-associated disorder: a comparison between Singapore and Queensland, Australia
Ng, Tze Siong, Pedler, Ashely, Vicenzino, Bill and Sterling, Michele (2014). Physiotherapists' beliefs about whiplash-associated disorder: a comparison between Singapore and Queensland, Australia. Physiotherapy Research International, 20 (2), 77-86. doi: 10.1002/pri.1598
2014
Journal Article
Comprehensive physiotherapy exercise programme or advice for chronic whiplash (PROMISE): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Michaleff, Zoe A., Maher, Chris G., Lin, Chung-Wei Christine, Rebbeck, Trudy, Jull, Gwendolen, Latimer, Jane, Connelly, Luke and Sterling, Michele (2014). Comprehensive physiotherapy exercise programme or advice for chronic whiplash (PROMISE): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 384 (9938), 133-141. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60457-8
2014
Journal Article
Physiotherapy management of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD)
Sterling, Michele (2014). Physiotherapy management of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Journal of Physiotherapy, 60 (1), 5-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2013.12.004
2014
Journal Article
Dose optimization for spinal treatment effectiveness: a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of high and low mobilization forces in patients with neck pain
Snodgrass, Suzanne J., Rivett, Darren A., Sterling, Michele and Vicenzino, Bill (2014). Dose optimization for spinal treatment effectiveness: a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of high and low mobilization forces in patients with neck pain. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 44 (3), 141-152. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.4778
2014
Journal Article
Measuring pain intensity in patients with neck pain: does it matter how you do it?
Kamper, Steven J., Grootjans, Sanneke J., Michaleff, Zoe A., Maher, Christopher G., Mcauley, James H. and Sterling, Michele (2014). Measuring pain intensity in patients with neck pain: does it matter how you do it?. Pain Practice, 15 (2), 159-167. doi: 10.1111/papr.12169
2014
Other Outputs
Guidelines for the management of acute whiplash associated disorders for health professionals
Cameron, Ian, Harvey, Lisa, Ierano, Joe, Jagnoor, Jagnoor, Nicholson Perry, Kathryn, Rebbeck, Trudy, Sterling, Michele, Sun, Clive, Wilcock, Simon, Cooley, Katie, Quinn, Naomi, Bidese, Tina, Gee, Liz and Weiss, Penny (2014). Guidelines for the management of acute whiplash associated disorders for health professionals. Sydney, Australia: State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
2014
Book Chapter
The problem of whiplash injuries: aetiology, assessment and treatment
Sterling, Michele (2014). The problem of whiplash injuries: aetiology, assessment and treatment. Handbook of musculoskeletal pain and disability disorders in the workplace. (pp. 121-142) edited by Robert J. Gatchel and Izabela Z. Schultz. New York, NY, United States: Springer New York. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0612-3_7
2014
Journal Article
Cervical radiofrequency Neurotomy reduces psychological features in individuals with chronic whiplash symptoms
Smith, Ashley D., Jull, Gwendolen, Schneider, Geoff, Frizzell, Bevan, Hooper, Robert Allen, Dunne-Proctor, Rachel and Sterlin, Michele (2014). Cervical radiofrequency Neurotomy reduces psychological features in individuals with chronic whiplash symptoms. Pain Physician, 17 (3), 265-274. doi: 10.36076/ppj.2014/17/264
2014
Journal Article
The University of Queensland study of physical and psychological outcomes for claimants with minor and moderate injuries following a road traffic crash (UQ SuPPORT): design and methods
Kenardy, Justin, Heron-Delaney, Michelle, Bellamy, Nicholas, Sterling, Michele and Connelly, Luke (2014). The University of Queensland study of physical and psychological outcomes for claimants with minor and moderate injuries following a road traffic crash (UQ SuPPORT): design and methods. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5 (SUPPL), 22612.1-22612.11. doi: 10.3402/ejpt.v5.22612
2014
Conference Publication
The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms does not influence response to cervical radiofrequency neurotomy
Smith, A., Jull, G., Schneider, G., Frizzell, B., Hooper, R. and Sterling, M. (2014). The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms does not influence response to cervical radiofrequency neurotomy. 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, Tampa, Fl United States, 30 April-3 May 2014. Philadelphia, PA United States: Churchill Livingstone. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.01.300
2014
Journal Article
Cervical radiofrequency neurotomy reduces central hyperexcitability and improves neck movement in individuals with chronic whiplash
Smith, Ashley Dean, Jull, Gwendolen, Schneider, Geoff, Frizzell, Bevan, Hooper, Robert Allen and Stirling, Michele (2014). Cervical radiofrequency neurotomy reduces central hyperexcitability and improves neck movement in individuals with chronic whiplash. Pain Medicine, 15 (1), 128-141. doi: 10.1111/pme.12262
2013
Journal Article
The course of serum infammatory biomarkers following whiplash injury and their relationship to sensory and muscle measures: a longitudinal cohort study
Sterling, Michele, Elliott, James M. and Cabot, Peter J. (2013). The course of serum infammatory biomarkers following whiplash injury and their relationship to sensory and muscle measures: a longitudinal cohort study. PLoS ONE, 8 (10) e77903, e77903.1-e77903.8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077903
2013
Journal Article
Challenges to decrease the burden of spinal pain
Sterling, Michele M. (2013). Challenges to decrease the burden of spinal pain. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 15 (3), 101-102. doi: 10.3109/21679169.2013.832869
2013
Journal Article
Derivation of a clinical prediction rule to identify both chronic moderate/severe disability and full recovery following whiplash injury
Ritchie, Carrie, Hendrikz, Joan, Kenardy, Justin A. and Sterling, Michele M. (2013). Derivation of a clinical prediction rule to identify both chronic moderate/severe disability and full recovery following whiplash injury. Pain, 154 (10), 2198-2206. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.07.001
2013
Journal Article
An overview of systematic reviews on prognostic factors in neck pain: results from the International Collaboration on Neck Pain (ICON) project
Walton, David M., Carroll, Linda J., Kashe, Helge, Sterling, Michele, Verhagen, Arianne P., MacDermid, Joy C., Gross, Anita, Santaguida, P. Lina, Carlesso, Lisa and International Collaboration on Neck (ICON) (2013). An overview of systematic reviews on prognostic factors in neck pain: results from the International Collaboration on Neck Pain (ICON) project. Open Journal of Orthopedics, 7 (Supp. 4: M9), 494-505. doi: 10.2174/1874325001307010494
2013
Journal Article
Patients with chronic whiplash can be subgrouped on the basis of symptoms of sensory hypersensitivity and posttraumatic stress
Pedler, Ashley and Sterling, Michele (2013). Patients with chronic whiplash can be subgrouped on the basis of symptoms of sensory hypersensitivity and posttraumatic stress. Pain, 154 (9), 1640-1648. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.05.005
2013
Journal Article
Authors' reply to the comment by Ferrari
Ng, Tze Siong and Sterling, Michele (2013). Authors' reply to the comment by Ferrari. European Journal of Pain, 17 (8), 1261-1262. doi: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00361.x
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Neurological factors underlying chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early biopsychosocial intervention for people experiencing traumatic injuries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary, Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multidimensional recovery after road traffic injury.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Psychologically informed physiotherapy for chronic pain after trauma.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early interventions to prevent chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing engagement in digital psychological interventions for patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying the public health burden of road traffic injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Effectiveness and Nature of Psychological Interventions Delivered by Physiotherapists for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash Associated Disorders: A Prospective Investigation of the Effects of Cervical Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy on Sensory, Motor and Psychological Features
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash-associated disorders: a cross-cultural comparison between Australia and Singapore
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Somatosensory disturbances following whiplash injury: Relationship with signs and symptoms in both acute and chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Are mechanical pain thresholds useful in defining symptoms of advanced knee osteoarthritis and predicting patient satisfaction following total knee replacement?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying lateral epicondylalgia and its management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
An Investigation of the Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain due to Whiplash Injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Justin Kenardy
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Headache in the elderly: cervical musculoskeletal, sensory and psychological features
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Michele Sterling directly for media enquiries about:
- musculoskeletal pain
- phyiotherapy
- road traffic injury
- whiplash injury
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