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
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
2011
Journal Article
Pressure algometry: What does it really tell us?
Sterling, Michele (2011). Pressure algometry: What does it really tell us?. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 41 (9), 623-624. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.0106
2011
Journal Article
Central hyperexcitabiity as measured with nociceptive flexor reflex threshod in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review
Lim, Edwin Choon Wyn, Sterling, Michele, Stone, Andrew and Vicenzino, Bill (2011). Central hyperexcitabiity as measured with nociceptive flexor reflex threshod in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review. Pain, 152 (8), 1811-1820. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.03.033
2011
Journal Article
Relationships between pressure pain thresholds and pain ratings in patients with whiplash-associated disorders
Kamper, Steven J., Maher, Christopher G., Hush, Julia M., Pedler, Ashley and Sterling, Michele M. (2011). Relationships between pressure pain thresholds and pain ratings in patients with whiplash-associated disorders. Clinical Journal of Pain, 27 (6), 495-501. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31820e1185
2011
Journal Article
Assessing fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with whiplash-associated disorders: A comparison of 2 measures
Pedler, Ashley and Sterling, Michele M. (2011). Assessing fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with whiplash-associated disorders: A comparison of 2 measures. Clinical Journal of Pain, 27 (6), 502-507. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31820d97b0
2011
Journal Article
The temporal development of fatty infiltrates in the neck muscles following whiplash injury: An association with pain and posttraumatic stress
Elliott, James, Pedler, Ashley, Kenardy, Justin A., Galloway, Graham J., Jull, Gwendolen A. and Sterling, Michele M. (2011). The temporal development of fatty infiltrates in the neck muscles following whiplash injury: An association with pain and posttraumatic stress. PLoS One, 6 (6) e21194, e21194-1-e21194-6. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021194
2011
Journal Article
Similar factors predict disability and posttraumatic stress disorder trajectories after whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele, Hendrikz, Joan and Kenardy, Justin (2011). Similar factors predict disability and posttraumatic stress disorder trajectories after whiplash injury. Pain, 156 (6), 1272-1278. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.01.056
2011
Journal Article
General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28)
Sterling, Michele (2011). General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Journal of Physiotherapy, 57 (4), 259-259. doi: 10.1016/S1836-9553(11)70060-1
2011
Journal Article
Whiplash-associated disorder: Musculoskeletal pain and related clinical findings
Sterling, Michele (2011). Whiplash-associated disorder: Musculoskeletal pain and related clinical findings. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 19 (4), 194-200. doi: 10.1179/106698111X13129729551949
2011
Book Chapter
Primary care management of acute whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele and Kenardy, Justin (2011). Primary care management of acute whiplash injury. Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. (pp. 108-119) edited by Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7295-3946-3.10011-9
2011
Book Chapter
Whiplash associated disorders
Sterling, Michele M. (2011). Whiplash associated disorders. Neck and Arm Pain Syndromes. Evidence-informed screening, diagnosis and management. (pp. 112-122) edited by César Fernández de las Peñas, Joshua A. Cleland and Peter A. Huijbregts.. Maryland Heights, MO, U.S.A.: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-3528-9.00008-X
2011
Book Chapter
Pain-processing mechanisms in whiplash associated disorders
Curatolo, Michele and Sterling, Michele (2011). Pain-processing mechanisms in whiplash associated disorders. Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. (pp. 40-51) edited by Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7295-3946-3.10005-3
2011
Book
Whiplash injury recovery: a self help guide
Jull, Gwendolen and Sterling, Michele (2011). Whiplash injury recovery: a self help guide. 2nd ed. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2011
Book Chapter
Case descriptions
Sterling, Michele, Rebbeck, Trudy and Kenardy, Justin (2011). Case descriptions. Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. (pp. 180-186) edited by Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7295-3946-3.10017-x
2011
Book Chapter
Pain and sensory system impairments that may be amenable to Mobilisation with Movement
Sterling, Michele and Vicenzino, Bill (2011). Pain and sensory system impairments that may be amenable to Mobilisation with Movement. Mobilisation with Movement: The art and the science. (pp. 86-92) Chatswood, N.S.W., Australia: Elsevier Australia.
2011
Book
Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice
Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy eds. (2011). Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia.
2011
Journal Article
Strain-counterstrain therapy combined with exercise is not more effective than exercise alone on pain and disability in people with acute low back pain: a randomised trial
Lewis, Cynan, Souvlis, Tina and Sterling, Michele M. (2011). Strain-counterstrain therapy combined with exercise is not more effective than exercise alone on pain and disability in people with acute low back pain: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 57 (2), 91-98. doi: 10.1016/S1836-9553(11)70019-4
2011
Book Chapter
Prognostic indicators of non-recovery following whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele (2011). Prognostic indicators of non-recovery following whiplash injury. Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. (pp. 101-107) edited by Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7295-3946-3.10010-7
2011
Book Chapter
Future directions
Sterling, Michele and Kenardy, Justin (2011). Future directions. Whiplash: Evidence base for clinical practice. (pp. 187-191) edited by Michele Sterling and Justin Kenardy. Chatswood, NSW, Australia: Elsevier Australia. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-7295-3946-3.10018-1
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
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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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