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
2021
Journal Article
Comparison of the accuracy of WhipPredict to that of a modified version of the short-form Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire to predict poor recovery after whiplash injury
Sterling, Michele, Ritchie, Carrie, Rebbeck, Trudy, Cameron, Ian D., Griffin, Alex, Jagnoor, Jagnoor, Nicholas, Michael, Nguyen, Ha and Warren, Jacelle (2021). Comparison of the accuracy of WhipPredict to that of a modified version of the short-form Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire to predict poor recovery after whiplash injury. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 51 (5), 207-215. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.9987
2021
Journal Article
Clinimetrics: Neck Disability Index
Jones, Caitlin and Sterling, Michele (2021). Clinimetrics: Neck Disability Index. Journal of Physiotherapy, 67 (2), 144-144. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2020.09.001
2021
Journal Article
Impact of a policy change restricting access to codeine on prescription opioid-related emergency department presentations: an interrupted time series analysis
Elphinston, Rachel A., Connor, Jason P., de Andrade, Dominique, Hipper, Linda, Freeman, Chris, Chan, Gary and Sterling, Michele (2021). Impact of a policy change restricting access to codeine on prescription opioid-related emergency department presentations: an interrupted time series analysis. Pain, 162 (4), 1095-1103. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002115
2021
Journal Article
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise for chronic whiplash with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomised controlled trial
Andersen, Tonny Elmose, Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, Armfield, Nigel, Maujean, Annick, Requena, Simone Scotti and Sterling, Michele (2021). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise for chronic whiplash with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomised controlled trial. Pain, 162 (4), 1221-1232. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002117
2021
Journal Article
Brief psychological interventions for reducing prescription opioid use, related harm and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and assessment of patient interest
Elphinston, Rachel A., Sterling, Michele, Leung, Janni, Gray, Paul D., Requena, Simone Scotti and Connor, Jason P (2021). Brief psychological interventions for reducing prescription opioid use, related harm and pain intensity in patients with chronic pain: a systematic review and assessment of patient interest. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 37 (4), 270-280. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000908
2021
Journal Article
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of brain metabolite concentrations in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorder: a cross-sectional study
Farrell, Scott F., Cowin, Gary J., Pedler, Ashley, Durbridge, Gail, de Zoete, Rutger M. J. and Sterling, Michele (2021). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment of brain metabolite concentrations in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorder: a cross-sectional study. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 37 (1), 28-37. doi: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000890
2021
Journal Article
Increased GABA+ in people with migraine, headache, and pain conditions- a potential marker of pain
Peek, Aimie L, Leaver, Andrew M, Foster, Sheryl, Oeltzschner, Georg, Puts, Nicolaas A., Galloway, Graham, Sterling, Michele, Ng, Karl, Refshauge, Kathryn, Aguila, Maria-Eliza R. and Rebbeck, Trudy (2021). Increased GABA+ in people with migraine, headache, and pain conditions- a potential marker of pain. Journal of Pain, 22 (12), 1631-1645. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.06.005
2020
Journal Article
Cohort profile: why do people keep hurting their back?
Klyne, David M., van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Barbe, Mary F., Cholewicki, Jacek, M. Hall, Leanne, Khan, Asaduzzaman, Meroni, Roberto, Moseley, G. Lorimer, Nicholas, Michael, O’Sullivan, Lee, Park, Rachel, Russell, Glen, Sterling, Michele and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Cohort profile: why do people keep hurting their back?. BMC Research Notes, 13 (1) 538, 538. doi: 10.1186/s13104-020-05356-z
2020
Journal Article
A comparison of perceptions of reassurance in patients with nontraumatic neck pain and whiplash-associated disorders in consultations with primary care practitioners—an online survey
Silva Guerrero, Alma Viviana, Setchell, Jenny, Maujean, Annick and Sterling, Michele (2020). A comparison of perceptions of reassurance in patients with nontraumatic neck pain and whiplash-associated disorders in consultations with primary care practitioners—an online survey. Pain Medicine, 21 (12), 3377-3386. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa277
2020
Journal Article
Description and psychometric properties of a prototype to test tactile acuity in the neck
Olthof, Nick A., Harvie, Daniel S., Henderson, Courtney, Thompson, Brendan, Sharp, Robert, Craig-Ward, Lauren, Weermeijer, Jeroen D., Sterling, Michele, Moseley, G. Lorimer and Coppieters, Michel W. (2020). Description and psychometric properties of a prototype to test tactile acuity in the neck. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 51 102259, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102259
2020
Journal Article
Introduction to special issue on new directions in physical rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain conditions
Sterling, Michele (2020). Introduction to special issue on new directions in physical rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain conditions. Pain Reports, 5 (5) e852, e852. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000852
2020
Journal Article
The mechanisms of effect of a physiotherapist-delivered integrated psychological and exercise intervention for acute whiplash-associated disorders: secondary mediation analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Elphinston, Rachel A., Sterling, Michele, Kenardy, Justin, Smeets, Rob and Armfield, Nigel R. (2020). The mechanisms of effect of a physiotherapist-delivered integrated psychological and exercise intervention for acute whiplash-associated disorders: secondary mediation analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Pain Reports, 5 (5) e835, e835. doi: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000835
2020
Journal Article
There's nothing broken. You've had a whiplash, that's it: A qualitative study of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and whiplash associated disorders
Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, Eskildsen, Nanna Bjerg, Johnsen, Anna Thit, Sterling, Michele and Andersen, Tonny Elmose (2020). There's nothing broken. You've had a whiplash, that's it: A qualitative study of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and whiplash associated disorders. Pain Medicine, 21 (8), 1676-1689. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz369
2020
Journal Article
Central neurobiological effects of physical exercise in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review
de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Chen, Kenneth and Sterling, Michele (2020). Central neurobiological effects of physical exercise in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. BMJ Open, 10 (7) e036151, e036151. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036151
2020
Journal Article
Systemic inflammatory markers in neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Farrell, Scott F., de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Cabot, Peter J. and Sterling, Michele (2020). Systemic inflammatory markers in neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. European Journal of Pain, 24 (9) ejp.1630, 1666-1686. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1630
2020
Journal Article
A qualitative comparison of reassurance approaches used by physical therapists to address fears and concerns of patients with nonspecific neck pain and whiplash associated disorders: an online survey
Guerrero, Alma Viviana Silva, Setchell, Jenny, Maujean, Annick and Sterling, Michele (2020). A qualitative comparison of reassurance approaches used by physical therapists to address fears and concerns of patients with nonspecific neck pain and whiplash associated disorders: an online survey. Physical Therapy, 100 (7), 1132-1141. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa058
2020
Journal Article
Psycho-sensory relationships in chronic pain
Harvie, Daniel S, Vasco, Daniela, Sterling, Michele, Low-Choy, Samantha and Niederstrasser, Nils G (2020). Psycho-sensory relationships in chronic pain. British Journal of Pain, 15 (2), 204946372093392-146. doi: 10.1177/2049463720933925
2020
Journal Article
Exercise induced hypoalgesia is impaired in chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) with both aerobic and isometric exercise
Smith, Ashley, Ritchie, Carrie, Warren, Jacelle and Sterling, Michele (2020). Exercise induced hypoalgesia is impaired in chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) with both aerobic and isometric exercise. Clinical Journal of Pain, 36 (8), 601-611. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000845
2020
Journal Article
The comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain: protocol for a network meta-analysis
de Zoete, Rutger Mj, McAuley, James H., Armfield, Nigel R. and Sterling, Michele (2020). The comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain: protocol for a network meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 10 (5) e034846, 1-5. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034846
2020
Journal Article
Medical and allied health service use during acute and chronic post-injury periods in whiplash injured individuals
Ritchie, Carrie, Smith, Ashley and Sterling, Michele (2020). Medical and allied health service use during acute and chronic post-injury periods in whiplash injured individuals. BMC Health Services Research, 20 (1) 260, 260. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05146-0
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
-
-
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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