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
2002
Journal Article
Pressure pain thresholds in chronic whiplash associated disorder: Further evidence of altered central pain processing
Sterling, M., Treleaven, Julia, Edwards, Sandra and Jull, Gwendolen (2002). Pressure pain thresholds in chronic whiplash associated disorder: Further evidence of altered central pain processing. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 10 (3), 69-81. doi: 10.1300/J094v10n03_05
2002
Journal Article
Responses to a clinical test of mechanical provocation of nerve tissue in whiplash associated disorder
Sterling, M., Treleaven, J. and Jull, G. (2002). Responses to a clinical test of mechanical provocation of nerve tissue in whiplash associated disorder. Manual Therapy, 7 (2), 89-94. doi: 10.1054/math.2002.0443
2002
Journal Article
Are cervical physical outcome measures influenced by the presence of symptomatology?
Sterling, Michele, Jull, Gwendolen, Carlsson, Ylva and Crommert, Louise (2002). Are cervical physical outcome measures influenced by the presence of symptomatology?. Physiotherapy Research International, 7 (3), 113-121. doi: 10.1002/pri.248
2002
Conference Publication
Whiplash injury induced change in the pain system: Preliminary analysis of a prospective longitudinal psychophysical study
Sterling, M. M., Jull, G. A., Vicenzino, B.G.T. and Murison, R. (2002). Whiplash injury induced change in the pain system: Preliminary analysis of a prospective longitudinal psychophysical study. Rehabilitation: A Global Perspective, Sheraton, Brisbane, 7-10 May, 2002.
2002
Conference Publication
The development of motor dysfunction following whiplash injury
Sterling, M. M., Jull, G. A., Vicenzino, B.G.T. and Murison, R. (2002). The development of motor dysfunction following whiplash injury. 10th World Conference on Pain, San Diego, California, 17th - 22nd August, 2002. Seattle, USA: IASP Press.
2001
Journal Article
Cervical mobilisation: concurrent effects on pain, sympathetic nervous system activity and motor activity
Sterling, M., Jull, G. and Wright, A. (2001). Cervical mobilisation: concurrent effects on pain, sympathetic nervous system activity and motor activity. Manual Therapy, 6 (2), 72-81. doi: 10.1054/math.2000.0378
2001
Conference Publication
Characterisation of chronic whiplash associated disorders
Sterling, M. M., Treleaven, J. and Jull, G. A. (2001). Characterisation of chronic whiplash associated disorders. From Science to Practice, Cairns Convention Centre, 8-12 April, 2001.
2001
Journal Article
Cervical range of motion discriminates between asymptomatic persons and those with whiplash
DallAlba, P. T., Sterling, M. M., Treleaven, J. M., Edwards, S. L. and Jull, G. A. (2001). Cervical range of motion discriminates between asymptomatic persons and those with whiplash. Spine, 26 (19), 2090-2094. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200110010-00009
2001
Journal Article
Kinaesthetic exercise does not improve outcome (or kinaesthesia) in patients with acute whiplash - Commentary
Sterling, M (2001). Kinaesthetic exercise does not improve outcome (or kinaesthesia) in patients with acute whiplash - Commentary. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 47 (1), 67-67.
2001
Journal Article
The effect of musculoskeletal pain on motor activity and control
Sterling, M., Jull, G.. and Wright, A. (2001). The effect of musculoskeletal pain on motor activity and control. Journal of Pain, 2 (3), 135-145. doi: 10.1054/jpai.2001.19951
2000
Journal Article
Pressure pain thresholds of upper limb peripheral nerve trunks in asymptomatic subjects
Sterling, Michelle, Treleaven, Julia, Edwards, Sandra L. and Jull, Gwendolen (2000). Pressure pain thresholds of upper limb peripheral nerve trunks in asymptomatic subjects. Physiotherapy Research International, 5 (4), 220-229.
2000
Other Outputs
Cervical mobilisation : concurrent effects on pain levels, motor function and sympathetic nervous system activity
Sterling, Michele (2000). Cervical mobilisation : concurrent effects on pain levels, motor function and sympathetic nervous system activity. Master's Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/323785
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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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
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
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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
-
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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