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
2020
Journal Article
Small fibre pathology in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional study
Farrell, Scott F., Sterling, Michele, Irving-Rodgers, Helen and Schmid, Annina B. (2020). Small fibre pathology in chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional study. European Journal of Pain, 24 (6) ejp.1549, 1045-1057. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1549
2020
Journal Article
Spinal cord injury is not a feature of chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Farrell, Scott F., Cowin, Gary, Pedler, Ashley, Durbridge, Gail and Sterling, Michele (2020). Spinal cord injury is not a feature of chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. European Spine Journal, 29 (6), 1212-1218. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06407-6
2020
Conference Publication
Genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for chronic pain revealed through GWAS
Lundberg, Mischa, Campos, Adrian I., Farrell, Scott F., Wang, Geng, Sterling, Michele M., Rentería, Miguel E., Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2020). Genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for chronic pain revealed through GWAS. 50th Annual Meeting of the Behavior Genetics Association, Online, 26 June 2020. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.
2020
Journal Article
Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions for chronic non-specific neck pain: A systematic review with network meta-analysis of 40 randomised controlled trials
De Zoete, Rutger M.J., Armfield, Nigel R., McAuley, James H., Chen, Kenneth and Sterling, Michele (2020). Comparative effectiveness of physical exercise interventions for chronic non-specific neck pain: A systematic review with network meta-analysis of 40 randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55 (13), 1-14. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102664
2020
Journal Article
The association of early life stressors with pain sensitivity and pain experience at 22 years
Waller, Robert, Smith, Anne J., OʼSullivan, Peter B., Slater, Helen, Sterling, Michele and Straker, Leon M. (2020). The association of early life stressors with pain sensitivity and pain experience at 22 years. Pain, 161 (1), 220-229. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001704
2019
Journal Article
Evaluation of a novel intervention to improve physical activity for adults with whiplash associated disorders: Protocol for a multiple-baseline, single case experimental study
Clanchy, Kelly M., Tweedy, Sean M., Tate, Robyn L., Sterling, Michele, Day, Melissa A., Nikles, Jane and Ritchie, Carrie (2019). Evaluation of a novel intervention to improve physical activity for adults with whiplash associated disorders: Protocol for a multiple-baseline, single case experimental study. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 16 100455, 100455. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100455
2019
Conference Publication
A retrospective descriptive study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury
Nikles, J., Khan, S., Leou, J., Ng, J., Bond, C., Nakamura, G., Le, R. and Sterling, M. (2019). A retrospective descriptive study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury. Brispain, Brisbane, Australia, December 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Personalised treatments for acute whiplash injuries: A pilot study of nested N-of-1 trials in a multiple baseline single-case experimental design
Nikles, J., Tate, R. L., Mitchell, G., Perdices, M., McGree, J. M., Freeman, C., Jacob, S., Taing, M. W. and Sterling, M. (2019). Personalised treatments for acute whiplash injuries: A pilot study of nested N-of-1 trials in a multiple baseline single-case experimental design. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 16 100480, 100480. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100480
2019
Journal Article
Evidence-based care in high- and low-risk groups following whiplash injury: a multi-centre inception cohort study
Griffin, Alexandra, Jagnoor, Jagnoor, Arora, Mohit, Cameron, Ian D., Kifley, Annette, Sterling, Michele, Kenardy, Justin and Rebbeck, Trudy (2019). Evidence-based care in high- and low-risk groups following whiplash injury: a multi-centre inception cohort study. BMC Health Services Research, 19 (1) 806, 806. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4623-y
2019
Journal Article
Systematic review of the measurement properties of performance-based functional tests in patients with neck disorders
McGee, Steven, Sipos, Taylor, Allin, Thomas, Chen, Celia, Greco, Alexandra, Bobos, Pavlos, MacDermid, Joy, CATWAD, Sterling, Michele, Soderlund, Anne, Curatolo, Michele, Elliott, James M., Walton, David M., Kasch, Helge, Carroll, Linda, Westergren, Hans, McLean, Samuel A., Jull, Gwendolen, Grant, Genevieve, MacDermid, Joy C., Connelly, Luke, Nielsen, Mandy, Cote, Pierre, Andersen, Tonny Elmose, Rebbeck, Trudy, Maujean, Annick, Robins, Sarah, Chen, Kenneth and Treleaven, Julia (2019). Systematic review of the measurement properties of performance-based functional tests in patients with neck disorders. BMJ Open, 9 (11) e031242, 1-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031242
2019
Journal Article
Are physical factors associated with poor prognosis following a whiplash trauma?: a protocol for a systematic review and data synthesis
Alalawi, Ahmed, Gallina, Alessio, Sterling, Michele and Falla, Deborah (2019). Are physical factors associated with poor prognosis following a whiplash trauma?: a protocol for a systematic review and data synthesis. BMJ Open, 9 (11) e033298, e033298. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033298
2019
Journal Article
Psychometric properties of the global rating of change scales in patients with neck disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression
Bobos, Pavlos, MacDermid, Joy, Nazari, Goris, Furtado, Rochelle, CATWAD, Sterling, Michele, Soderlund, Anne, Curatolo, Michele, Elliott, James M., Walton, David M., Kasch, Helge, Carroll, Linda, Westergren, Hans, Jull, Gwendolen, Malmstrom, Eva-Maj, Connelly, Luke B., MacDermid, Joy C., Nielsen, Mandy, Cote, Pierre, Andersen, Tonny Elmose, Rebbeck, Trudy, Maujean, Annick, Robins, Sarah, Chen, Kenneth and Treleaven, Julia (2019). Psychometric properties of the global rating of change scales in patients with neck disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. BMJ Open, 9 (11) e033909, 1-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033909
2019
Journal Article
The whole pie? Maybe-but let's compare apples with apples
Sterling, Michele (2019). The whole pie? Maybe-but let's compare apples with apples. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 49 (11), 866-866. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2019.0202
2019
Journal Article
How are pain and traumatic stress symptoms related in acute whiplash-associated disorders? An investigation of the role of pain-related fear in a daily diary study
Eather, Adele, Kenardy, Justin, Healy, Karyn L., Haynes, Michele and Sterling, Michele (2019). How are pain and traumatic stress symptoms related in acute whiplash-associated disorders? An investigation of the role of pain-related fear in a daily diary study. Pain, 160 (9), 1954-1966. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001581
2019
Journal Article
An Interactive Website for Whiplash Management (My Whiplash Navigator): Process Evaluation of Design and Implementation
Bandong, Aila Nica, Mackey, Martin, Leaver, Andrew, Ingram, Rodney, Sterling, Michele, Ritchie, Carrie, Kelly, Joan and Rebbeck, Trudy (2019). An Interactive Website for Whiplash Management (My Whiplash Navigator): Process Evaluation of Design and Implementation. JMIR Formative Research, 3 (3) e12216, e12216. doi: 10.2196/12216
2019
Journal Article
Best Evidence Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Part 4: Neck Pain
Sterling, Michele, de Zoete, Rutger M. J., Coppieters, Iris and Farrell, Scott F. (2019). Best Evidence Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Part 4: Neck Pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8 (8) 1219, 1219. doi: 10.3390/jcm8081219
2019
Journal Article
Are signs of central sensitisation in acute low back pain a precursor to poor outcome?
Klyne, David M., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Sterling, Michele, Barbe, Mary F. and Hodges, Paul W. (2019). Are signs of central sensitisation in acute low back pain a precursor to poor outcome?. The Journal of Pain, 20 (8), 994-1009. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.03.001
2019
Journal Article
Cervical spine findings on MRI in people with neck pain compared with pain-free controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Farrell, Scott F., Smith, Ashley D., Hancock, Mark J., Webb, Alexandra L. and Sterling, Michele (2019). Cervical spine findings on MRI in people with neck pain compared with pain-free controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 49 (6), 1638-1654. doi: 10.1002/jmri.26567
2019
Conference Publication
A retrospective descriptive study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury.
Nikles, J., Khan, S., Leou, J., Keizjers, G., Ng, J., Bond, C., Nakamura, G., Le, J., Le, R. and Sterling, M. (2019). A retrospective descriptive study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury. . Australian Pain Society multidisciplinary conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, April 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms after whiplash: a prospective cohort study
Ravn, Sophie L., Karstoft, Karen-Inge, Sterling, Michele and Andersen, Tonny E. (2019). Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms after whiplash: a prospective cohort study. European Journal of Pain (United Kingdom), 23 (3), 515-525. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1325
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
-
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
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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
-
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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