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
2005
Journal Article
Physical and psychological factors predict outcome following whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill, Kenardy, Justin and Darnell, Ross (2005). Physical and psychological factors predict outcome following whiplash injury. Pain, 114 (1-2), 141-148. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2004.12.005
2005
Journal Article
The Neck Disability Index (NDI): commentary
Sterling, Michele and Rebbeck, Trudy (2005). The Neck Disability Index (NDI): commentary. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 51 (4), 271-271. doi: 10.1016/S0004-9514(05)70017-9
2005
Journal Article
Widespread sensory hypersensitivity is a feature of chronic whiplash-associated disorder but not chronic idiopathic neck pain
Scott, D, Jull, G and Sterling, M (2005). Widespread sensory hypersensitivity is a feature of chronic whiplash-associated disorder but not chronic idiopathic neck pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, 21 (2), 175-181. doi: 10.1097/00002508-200503000-00009
2005
Conference Publication
Balancing the 'bio' with the psychosocial in whiplash associated disorders
Sterling, M. M. (2005). Balancing the 'bio' with the psychosocial in whiplash associated disorders. 2nd International Conference on Movement Dysfunction Pain and Performance: Evidence & Effect, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK, 23-25 September, 2005. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2006.02.001
2005
Journal Article
Central hypersensitivity in whiplash: Implications for physiotherapy assessment and management
Chien, Andy and Sterling, Michele (2005). Central hypersensitivity in whiplash: Implications for physiotherapy assessment and management. Physical Therapy Reviews, 10 (4), 237-245. doi: 10.1179/108331905X68574
2004
Journal Article
Proposal of a classification system for patients with neck pain
Sterling, Michele M. (2004). Proposal of a classification system for patients with neck pain. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 34 (11), 697-698. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2004.1451
2004
Journal Article
Response to Drs Greve and Bianchini - More on the clinical and scientific relevance of 'symptom amplification' and psychological factors in pain
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill and Kenardy, Justin (2004). Response to Drs Greve and Bianchini - More on the clinical and scientific relevance of 'symptom amplification' and psychological factors in pain. Pain, 110 (1-2), 501-502. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2004.04.005
2004
Journal Article
Response to Dr Ferrari's Letter to the Editor “The clinical relevance of symptom amplification”
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill and Kenardy, Justin (2004). Response to Dr Ferrari's Letter to the Editor “The clinical relevance of symptom amplification”. Pain, 107 (3), 278-279. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2003.11.011
2004
Book Chapter
A therapeutic exercise approach for cervical disorders
Jull, G. A., Falla, D. L., Treleaven, J. M., Sterling, M. M. and O'Leary, S. P. (2004). A therapeutic exercise approach for cervical disorders. Grieve's Modern Manual Therapy. (pp. 451-470) edited by J. Boyling and G. Jull. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone - Elsevier Science.
2004
Journal Article
The clinical relevance of symptom amplification [1] (multiple letters)
Ferrari, Robert, Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill and Kenardy, Justin (2004). The clinical relevance of symptom amplification [1] (multiple letters). Pain, 107 (3), 276-279. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2003.11.014
2004
Journal Article
Characterization of acute whiplash-associated disorders
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill and Kenardy, Justin (2004). Characterization of acute whiplash-associated disorders. Spine, 29 (2), 182-188. doi: 10.1097/01.BRS.0000105535.12598.AE
2004
Book Chapter
Mechanisms underlaying pain and dysfunction in whiplash associated disorders: Implications for physiotherapy management
Sterling, M. M., Treleaven, J.M. and Jull, G. A. (2004). Mechanisms underlaying pain and dysfunction in whiplash associated disorders: Implications for physiotherapy management. Grieve's Modern Manual Therapy. (pp. 275-289) edited by J. Boyling and G. Jull. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone - Elsevier Science.
2004
Journal Article
A proposed new classification system for whiplash associated disorders - implications for assessment and management
Sterling, M. (2004). A proposed new classification system for whiplash associated disorders - implications for assessment and management. Manual Therapy, 9 (2), 60-70. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2004.01.006
2003
Journal Article
The development of psychological changes following whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele, Kenardy, Justin, Jull, Gwendolen and Vicenzino, Bill (2003). The development of psychological changes following whiplash injury. Pain, 106 (3), 481-489. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2003.09.013
2003
Journal Article
Response to comment by Kwan and Friel
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen and Vicenzino, Bill (2003). Response to comment by Kwan and Friel. Pain, 105 (3), 507-508. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3959(03)00289-6
2003
Journal Article
Sensory hypersensitivity occurs soon after whiplash injury and is associated with poor recovery
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen A., Vicenzino, Bill and Kenardy, Justin (2003). Sensory hypersensitivity occurs soon after whiplash injury and is associated with poor recovery. Pain, 104 (3), 509-517. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3959(03)00078-2
2003
Journal Article
Development of motor system dysfunction following whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Vicenzino, Bill, Kenardy, Justin and Darnell, Ross (2003). Development of motor system dysfunction following whiplash injury. Pain, 103 (1-2), 65-73. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3959(02)00420-7
2003
Journal Article
Control subjects in whiplash studies - Response
Sterling, M (2003). Control subjects in whiplash studies - Response. Manual Therapy, 8 (1), 54-55. doi: 10.1054/math.2002.0494
2003
Journal Article
Dizziness and unsteadiness following whiplash injury: Characteristic features and relationship with cervical joint position error
Treleaven, Julia, Jull, Gwendolen and Sterling, Michele (2003). Dizziness and unsteadiness following whiplash injury: Characteristic features and relationship with cervical joint position error. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 35 (1), 36-43. doi: 10.1080/16501970306109
2003
Other Outputs
Motor, sensory and psychological impairments following whiplash injury : development and predictive function
Sterling, Michele (2003). Motor, sensory and psychological impairments following whiplash injury : development and predictive function. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/106492
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
Quantifying the public health burden of road traffic injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
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
-
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
-
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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