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
2022
Conference Publication
A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain
Nikles, Jane, Johnston, Amy, van Driel, Mieke, Perez, Siegfried, Ritchie, Carrie, Elphinston, Rachel and Sterling, Michele (2022). A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain. Recover Injury Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 6 October 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain
Nikles, J., Johnston, A., van Driel, M., Perez, S., Ritchie, C., Elphinston, R. and Sterling, M. (2022). A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to improve opioid prescribing in ED for acute non-admitted musculoskeletal pain. Recover Injury Research Centre Conference, Brisbane, Australia, October 2022.
2022
Journal Article
The effectiveness of aerobic versus strengthening exercise therapy in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a randomised single case experimental design study
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Nikles, Jane, Coombes, Jeff S., Onghena, Patrick and Sterling, Michele (2022). The effectiveness of aerobic versus strengthening exercise therapy in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a randomised single case experimental design study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45 (21), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2127937
2022
Journal Article
Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi expert consensus study
Shraim, Muath A., Sluka, Kathleen A., Sterling, Michele, Arendt-Nielsen, Lars, Argoff, Charles, Bagraith, Karl S., Baron, Ralf, Brisby, Helena, Carr, Daniel B., Chimenti, Ruth L., Courtney, Carol A., Curatolo, Michele, Darnall, Beth D., Ford, Jon J., Graven-Nielsen, Thomas, Kolski, Melissa C., Kosek, Eva, Liebano, Richard E., Merkle, Shannon L., Parker, Romy, Reis, Felipe J. J., Smart, Keith, Smeets, Rob J. E. M., Svensson, Peter, Thompson, Bronwyn L., Treede, Rolf-Detlef, Ushida, Takahiro, Williamson, Owen D. and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi expert consensus study. Pain, 163 (9), 1812-1828. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002577
2022
Journal Article
Reply to Russo et al
Kosek, Eva, Baron, Ralf, Clauw, Daniel, Gilron, Ian, Harris, Richard E., Nijs, Jo, Rice, Andrew S.C. and Sterling, Michele (2022). Reply to Russo et al. Pain, 163 (8), E964-E965. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002672
2022
Journal Article
A systematic review shows minimal evidence for measurement properties of psychological functioning outcomes in whiplash
Ritchie, Carrie, Andersen, Tonny Elmose, Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, Söderlund, Anne, Sterling, Michele, Carroll, Linda, Connelly, Luke B., Cote, Pierre, Curatolo, Michele, Grant, Genevieve, Jull, Gwendolen, Kasch, Helge, MacDermid, Joy, Malmström, Eva Maj, Rebbeck, Trudy, Treleaven, Julia, Walton, David and Westergren, Hans (2022). A systematic review shows minimal evidence for measurement properties of psychological functioning outcomes in whiplash. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 151, 29-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.07.011
2022
Other Outputs
Interest in digital peer-delivered interventions and preferences to improve pain self-efficacy amongst patients with chronic pain: a mixed methods co-design study
Yates, Eloise, Buckley, Lisa, Sterling, Michele, Cruwys, Tegan, Ashton-James, Claire, Rankin, Renee and Elphinston, Rachel (2022). Interest in digital peer-delivered interventions and preferences to improve pain self-efficacy amongst patients with chronic pain: a mixed methods co-design study.
2022
Other Outputs
The first step in co-design of a digital brief intervention to reduce prescription opioid related harm, informed by patient lived experiences: a qualitative analysis
Elphinston, Rachel A., Pager, Sue, Brown, Kelly, Sterling, Michele, Fatehi, Farhad, Gray, Paul, Hipper, Linda, Cahill, Linda and Connor, Jason P. (2022). The first step in co-design of a digital brief intervention to reduce prescription opioid related harm, informed by patient lived experiences: a qualitative analysis.
2022
Journal Article
Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Fundaun, Joel, Kolski, Melissa, Baskozos, Georgios, Dilley, Andrew, Sterling, Michele and Schmid, Annina B. (2022). Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain, 163 (7), e789-e811. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509
2022
Other Outputs
Applying patient and health professional preferences as part of co-designing a new digital brief intervention to reduce prescription opioid harm
Elphinston, Rachel A., Pager, Sue, Fatehi, Farhad, Sterling, Michele, Brown, Kelly, Gray, Paul, Hipper, Linda, Cahill, Lauren , Ziadni, Maisa, Worthy, Peter and Connor, Jason P. (2022). Applying patient and health professional preferences as part of co-designing a new digital brief intervention to reduce prescription opioid harm.
2022
Journal Article
Selective acceptance of acute whiplash guidelines: a qualitative analysis of perceptions of health professionals in Australia
Bandong, Aila Nica, Rebbeck, Trudy, Mackey, Martin, Sterling, Michele, Kelly, Joan, Ritchie, Carrie and Leaver, Andrew (2022). Selective acceptance of acute whiplash guidelines: a qualitative analysis of perceptions of health professionals in Australia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45 (12), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2080286
2022
Journal Article
Further exploring the relationship between pressure pain thresholds and function in knee osteoarthritis
Jaber, Khalid, McAuliffe, Michael, Pedler, Ashley, Sterling, Michele and O'Leary, Shaun (2022). Further exploring the relationship between pressure pain thresholds and function in knee osteoarthritis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 59 102542, 102542. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102542
2022
Journal Article
Psychological therapy using virtual reality for treatment of driving phobia: a systematic review
Elphinston, Rachel A., Vaezipour, Atiyeh, Fowler, James A., Russell, Trevor G. and Sterling, Michele (2022). Psychological therapy using virtual reality for treatment of driving phobia: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45 (10), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2069293
2022
Journal Article
Do expectations of recovery improve risk assessment for people with whiplash-associated disorders? Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study
Griffin, Alexandra R., Sterling, Michele, Ritchie, Carrie, Kifley, Annette, Jagnoor, Jagnoor, Cameron, Ian D. and Rebbeck, Trudy (2022). Do expectations of recovery improve risk assessment for people with whiplash-associated disorders? Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23 (1) 395, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05242-8
2022
Journal Article
Reply to Cohen
Kosek, Eva, Clauw, Daniel, Nijs, Jo, Baron, Ralf, Gilron, Ian, Harris, Richard E., Mico, Juan-Antonio, Rice, Andrew S C and Sterling, Michele (2022). Reply to Cohen. Pain, 163 (4), e607-e608. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002504
2022
Journal Article
Are measures of physical function of the neck region associated with poor prognosis following a whiplash trauma?: A systematic review
Alalawi, Ahmed, Mazaheri, Masood, Gallina, Alessio, Luque-Suarez, Alejandro, Sterling, Michele and Falla, Deborah (2022). Are measures of physical function of the neck region associated with poor prognosis following a whiplash trauma?: A systematic review. Clinical Journal of Pain, 38 (3), 208-221. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000001015
2022
Journal Article
Pain medication beliefs mediate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and opioid prescription use in patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Elphinston, Rachel A., Sullivan, Michael J. L., Sterling, Michele, Connor, Jason. P., Baranoff, John A., Tan, Dylan and Day, Melissa A. (2022). Pain medication beliefs mediate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and opioid prescription use in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Journal of Pain, 23 (3), 379-389. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.08.009
2022
Journal Article
Pregabalin vs placebo to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals: Results of a feasibility study for a large randomised controlled trial
Nikles, Jane, Keijzers, Gerben, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Farrell, Scott F., Perez, Siegfried, Schug, Stephan, Ware, Robert S., McLean, Samuel A., Connelly, Luke B. and Sterling, Michele (2022). Pregabalin vs placebo to prevent chronic pain after whiplash injury in at-risk individuals: Results of a feasibility study for a large randomised controlled trial. Pain, 163 (2), E274-E284. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002362
2022
Journal Article
The role of population-based cohorts in understanding the emergence and progression of musculoskeletal pain
Waller, Robert, Smith, Anne Julia, Graven-Nielsen, Thomas, Arendt-Nielsen, Lars, Sterling, Michele, Karppinen, Jaro Ilari, O'Sullivan, Peter Bruce, Straker, Leon Melville and Slater, Helen (2022). The role of population-based cohorts in understanding the emergence and progression of musculoskeletal pain. Pain, 163 (1), 58-63. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002316
2022
Journal Article
A core outcome measurement set for whiplash associated disorders—Editorial
Sterling, Michele (2022). A core outcome measurement set for whiplash associated disorders—Editorial. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 24 (5), 260-261. doi: 10.1080/21679169.2022.2117448
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
-
-
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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