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
2013
Journal Article
Laypersons' expectations of recovery and beliefs about whiplash injury: a cross-cultural comparison between Australians and Singaporeans
Ng, T. S., Bostick, G., Pedler, A., Buchbinder, R., Vicenzino, B. and Sterling, M. (2013). Laypersons' expectations of recovery and beliefs about whiplash injury: a cross-cultural comparison between Australians and Singaporeans. European Journal of Pain, 17 (8), 1234-1242. doi: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2012.00265.x
2013
Journal Article
Management of acute whiplash: A randomized controlled trial of multidisciplinary stratified treatments
Jull, Gwendolen, Kenardy, Justin, Hendrikz, Joan, Cohen, Milton and Sterling, Michele (2013). Management of acute whiplash: A randomized controlled trial of multidisciplinary stratified treatments. Pain, 154 (9), 1798-1806. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.05.041
2013
Journal Article
Less efficacious conditioned pain modulation and sensory hypersensitivity in chronic whiplash-associated disorders in Singapore
Ng, Tze Siong, Pedler, Ashley, Vicenzino, Bill and Sterling, Michele (2013). Less efficacious conditioned pain modulation and sensory hypersensitivity in chronic whiplash-associated disorders in Singapore. Clinical Journal of Pain, Published Ahead-of-Print (5), 1-7. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e3182a03940
2013
Journal Article
An investigation of the use of a numeric pain rating scale with ice application to the neck to determine cold hyperalgesia
Maxwell, Samuel and Sterling, Michele M. (2013). An investigation of the use of a numeric pain rating scale with ice application to the neck to determine cold hyperalgesia. Manual Therapy, 18 (2), 172-174. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.07.004
2013
Journal Article
Laterality judgments are not impaired in patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders
Pedler, Ashley, Motlagh, Helena and Sterling, Michele (2013). Laterality judgments are not impaired in patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders. Manual Therapy, 18 (1), 72-76. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.07.006
2013
Journal Article
Emergency department treatments and physiotherapy for acute whiplash: a pragmatic, two-step, randomised controlled trial
Lamb, Sarah E., Gates, Simon, Williams, Mark A., Williamson, Esther M., Mt-Isa, Shahrul, Withers, Emma J., Castelnuovo, Emanuela, Smith, Jessica, Ashby, Deborah, Cooke, Matthew W., Petrou, Stavros, Underwood, Martin R., Managing Injuries of the Neck Trial (MINT) Study Team and Sterling, Michele (2013). Emergency department treatments and physiotherapy for acute whiplash: a pragmatic, two-step, randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 381 (9866), 546-556. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61304-X
2013
Journal Article
Measures of Central hyperexcitability in chronic whiplast associated disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Stone.Andrew M., Vicenzino, Bill, Lim, Edwin C. W. and Sterling, Michele (2013). Measures of Central hyperexcitability in chronic whiplast associated disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Manual Therapy, 18 (2), 111-117. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.07.009
2013
Journal Article
A comparison of physical and psychological features of responders and non-responders to cervical facet blocks in chronic whiplash
Smith, Ashley Dean, Jull, Gwendolen, Schneider, Geoff, Frizzell, Bevan, Hooper, Robert Allen and Sterling, Michele (2013). A comparison of physical and psychological features of responders and non-responders to cervical facet blocks in chronic whiplash. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14 (1) 313, 313.1-313.14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-313
2012
Journal Article
A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of PTSD in the context of chronic whiplash
Dunne, Rachael Louise, Kenardy, Justin and Sterling, Michele (2012). A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of PTSD in the context of chronic whiplash. Clinical Journal of Pain, 28 (9), 755-765. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e318243e16b
2012
Journal Article
Muscle trigger points, pressure pain threshold, and cervical range of motion in patients with high level of disability related to acute whiplash injury
Fernandez-Perez, Antonio Manuel, Villaverse-Gutierrez, Carmen, Mora-Sanchez, Aurora, Alonso-Blanco, Cristina, Sterling, Michele and Fernandez-de-las-Penas, Cesar (2012). Muscle trigger points, pressure pain threshold, and cervical range of motion in patients with high level of disability related to acute whiplash injury. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 42 (7), 634-641. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.4117
2012
Journal Article
Does injury compensation lead to worse health after whiplash? A systematic review
Spearing, Natalie Mary, Connelly, Luke B., Gargett, Susan and Sterling, Michele M. (2012). Does injury compensation lead to worse health after whiplash? A systematic review. Pain, 153 (6), 1274-1282. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.03.007
2012
Journal Article
Spinal cord metabolism and muscle water diffusion in whiplash
Elliott, J. M., Pedler, A.R,., Cowin, G., Sterling, M. M. and McMahon, K. (2012). Spinal cord metabolism and muscle water diffusion in whiplash. Spinal Cord, 50 (6), 474-476. doi: 10.1038/sc.2011.17
2012
Journal Article
Does fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain intensity and disability in patients following whiplash injury? A prospective longitudinal study
Kamper, Steven J., Maher, Christopher G., Menezes Costs, Luciola da C., McAuley, James H., Hush, Julia M. and Sterling, Michele (2012). Does fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain intensity and disability in patients following whiplash injury? A prospective longitudinal study. Pain, 153 (1), 113-119. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.09.023
2012
Journal Article
Assessment and validation of prognostic models for poor functional recovery 12 months after whiplash injury: A multicentre inception cohort study
Sterling, Michele, Hendrikz, Joan, Kenardy, Justin, Kristjansson, Eythor, Dumas, Jean-Pierre, Niere, Ken, Cote, Julie, deSerres, Sophie, Rivest, Karine and Jull, Gwendolen (2012). Assessment and validation of prognostic models for poor functional recovery 12 months after whiplash injury: A multicentre inception cohort study. Pain, 153 (8), 1727-1734. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.05.004
2012
Conference Publication
Processes underlying the transition to chronicity following whiplash injury
Sterling, M. (2012). Processes underlying the transition to chronicity following whiplash injury. RACP Future Directions in Health Congress 2012, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 6-9 May 2012. Richmond Vic., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2012.02783.x
2012
Book Chapter
Pain, whiplash disorder and traffic safety
Sterling, Michele M. (2012). Pain, whiplash disorder and traffic safety. Handbook of pain and palliative care: biobehavioural approaches for the life course. (pp. 213-229) edited by Rhonda J. Moore. New York, USA: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1651-8_15
2012
Journal Article
Evidence of spinal cord hyperexcitability as measured with nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold in chronic lateral epicondylalgia with or without a positive neurodynamic test
Lim, Edwin Choon Wyn, Sterling, Michele, Pedler, Ashley, Coombes, Brooke K. and Vicenzino, Bill (2012). Evidence of spinal cord hyperexcitability as measured with nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold in chronic lateral epicondylalgia with or without a positive neurodynamic test. Journal of Pain, 13 (7), 676-684. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.04.005
2011
Journal Article
Potential processes involved in the initiation and maintenance of whiplash-associated disorders: discussion paper 3.
Sterling, Michele M., McLean, Samuel A., Sullivan, Michael J. L., Elliott, James M., Buienhuis, Jan and Kamper, Steven J. (2011). Potential processes involved in the initiation and maintenance of whiplash-associated disorders: discussion paper 3.. Spine, 36 (25 Supp.1), S322-S329. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318238853f
2011
Journal Article
Toward lessening the rate of transition of acute whiplash to a chronic disorder
Jull, Gwendolen A., Sterling, Michele M., Curatolo, Michele, Carroll, Linda and Hodges, Paul (2011). Toward lessening the rate of transition of acute whiplash to a chronic disorder. Spine, 36 (25S), S173-S174. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e31823883e6
2011
Journal Article
Prognosis after whiplash injury: Where to from here? Discussion paper 4.
Sterling, Michele M., Carroll, Linda J., Kasch, Helge, Kamper, Steven J. and Stemper, Brian (2011). Prognosis after whiplash injury: Where to from here? Discussion paper 4.. Spine, 36 (25 Supp.1), S330-S334. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182388523
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
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
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
-
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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
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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
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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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