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
2019
Journal Article
Attachment insecurity as a vulnerability factor in the development of chronic whiplash associated disorder – a prospective cohort study
Andersen, Tonny Elmose, Sterling, Michele, Maujean, Annick and Meredith, Pamela (2019). Attachment insecurity as a vulnerability factor in the development of chronic whiplash associated disorder – a prospective cohort study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 118, 56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.01.008
2019
Journal Article
Agreement is very low between a clinical prediction rule and physiotherapist assessment for classifying the risk of poor recovery of individuals with acute whiplash injury
Kelly, Joan, Ritchie, Carrie and Sterling, Michele (2019). Agreement is very low between a clinical prediction rule and physiotherapist assessment for classifying the risk of poor recovery of individuals with acute whiplash injury. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 39, 73-79. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.003
2019
Journal Article
Physiotherapist-delivered stress inoculation training integrated with exercise versus physiotherapy exercise alone for acute whiplash-associated disorder (StressModex): a randomised controlled trial of a combined psychological/physical intervention
Sterling, Michele, Smeets, Rob, Keijzers, Gerben, Warren, Jacelle and Kenardy, Justin (2019). Physiotherapist-delivered stress inoculation training integrated with exercise versus physiotherapy exercise alone for acute whiplash-associated disorder (StressModex): a randomised controlled trial of a combined psychological/physical intervention. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53 (19) 100139, 1240-1247. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-100139
2019
Conference Publication
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, Johnson, Anna Thit, Sterling, Michele and Andersen, Tonny Elmose (2019). There's nothing broken. you've had a whiplash, that's it: a qualitative study of comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and whiplash associated disorders. 16th ESTSS Conference, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 14 - 16 June 2019. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
2019
Journal Article
A retrospective descriptive observational study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury
Nikles, Jane, Khan, Subaat, Leou, John, Keijzers, Gerben, Ng, Joanna, Bond, Catherine, Nakamura, Gota, Le, Rhonda and Sterling, Michele (2019). A retrospective descriptive observational study of patients who presented to an Australian hospital Emergency Department with neck soft tissue injury. Emergency Medicine Australiasia, 31 (5) 1742-6723.13253, 805-812. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13253
2019
Journal Article
Illusion-enhanced virtual reality exercise for neck pain: a replicated single case series
Harvie, Daniel S., Smith, Ross T., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Meulders, Ann, Michiels, Bart and Sterling, Michele (2019). Illusion-enhanced virtual reality exercise for neck pain: a replicated single case series. Clinical Journal of Pain, 36 (2), 1-109. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000780
2019
Conference Publication
PTSD and pain in whiplash injury: response to intervention
Kenardy, Justin and Sterling, Michele (2019). PTSD and pain in whiplash injury: response to intervention. 16th ESTSS Conference, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 14-16 June 2019. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1613834
2019
Journal Article
Examining the validity and reliability of a portable sleep posture assessment protocol, using infrared cameras, under a variety of light and bed cover situations in the home environment
Cary, Doug, Collinson, Roger, Sterling, Michele and Briffa, Kathryn (2019). Examining the validity and reliability of a portable sleep posture assessment protocol, using infrared cameras, under a variety of light and bed cover situations in the home environment. Work, 63 (2), 291-298. doi: 10.3233/WOR-192930
2019
Book Chapter
A lawyer with whiplash
Jull, Gwendolen, Sterling, Michele, Rivett, Darren A. and Jones, Mark A. (2019). A lawyer with whiplash. Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Practice. (pp. 241-258) London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-5976-6.00019-X
2019
Journal Article
Recommendations for Core Outcome Domain Set for Whiplash Associated Disorders (CATWAD)
Chen, Kenneth, Andersen, Tonny, Carroll, Linda, Connelly, Luke, Côté, Pierre, Curatolo, Michele, Elliott, James, Grant, Genevieve, Jull, Gwendolen, Kasch, Helge, MacDermid, Joy, Malmström, Eva-Maj, Maujean, Annick, McLean, Samuel A., Nielsen, Mandy, Rebbeck, Trudy, Söderlund, Anne, Sterling, Joanna, Treleaven, Julia, Walton, David M., Westergren, Hans and Sterling, Michele (2019). Recommendations for Core Outcome Domain Set for Whiplash Associated Disorders (CATWAD). Clinical Journal of Pain, 35 (9), 1-736. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000735
2018
Book Chapter
Whiplash associated disorders: Biological, physical, psychological and pain sensitivity of motor vehicle crashes
Rebbeck, Trudy, Sterling, Michele and Elliott, James (2018). Whiplash associated disorders: Biological, physical, psychological and pain sensitivity of motor vehicle crashes. Adversity after the Crash: The Physical, Psychological and Social Burden of Motor Vehicle Crashes. (pp. 167-210) Nova Science Publishers, Inc..
2018
Journal Article
Medicine use during acute and chronic post-injury periods in whiplash injured individuals
Ritchie, Carrie, Hollingworth, Samantha A, Warren, Jacelle and Sterling, Michele (2018). Medicine use during acute and chronic post-injury periods in whiplash injured individuals. Pain, 160 (4), 1-851. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001460
2018
Journal Article
Physiotherapist-delivered stress inoculation training for acute whiplash-associated disorders: a qualitative study of perceptions and experiences
Kelly, Joan M., Bunzli, Samantha, Ritchie, Carrie, Kenardy, Justin, Smeets, Rob and Sterling, Michele (2018). Physiotherapist-delivered stress inoculation training for acute whiplash-associated disorders: a qualitative study of perceptions and experiences. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 38, 30-36. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.09.005
2018
Journal Article
A core outcome set for clinical trials in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): a study protocol
Maujean, Annick, Carroll, Linda, Curatolo, Michele, Elliott, James, Kasch, Helge, Walton, David and Sterling, Michele (2018). A core outcome set for clinical trials in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): a study protocol. Trials, 19 (1) 635, 635. doi: 10.1186/s13063-018-3019-3
2018
Journal Article
Whiplash patients' responses on the impact of events scale-R - congruent with pain or PTSD symptoms?
Bunzli, Samantha, Maujean, Annick, Andersen, Tonny Elmose and Sterling, Michele (2018). Whiplash patients' responses on the impact of events scale-R - congruent with pain or PTSD symptoms?. Clinical Journal of Pain, 35 (3), 1-237. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000665
2018
Journal Article
Use of and attitudes to the role of medication for acute whiplash injury: a preliminary survey of emergency department doctors: emergency department Whiplash Medication Survey
Nikles, Jane, Keijzers, Gerben, De Silva, Muthuwahandi Ishan Diluka, Khan, Subaat and Sterling, Michele (2018). Use of and attitudes to the role of medication for acute whiplash injury: a preliminary survey of emergency department doctors: emergency department Whiplash Medication Survey. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 31 (3), 471-474. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13190
2018
Journal Article
Associations between musculoskeletal pain experience and pressure and cold pain sensitivity: a community based cross-sectional study of young adults in the Raine study
Waller, Robert, Smith, Anne Julia, O'Sullivan, Peter Bruce, Slater, Helen, Sterling, Michele and Straker, Leon Melville (2018). Associations between musculoskeletal pain experience and pressure and cold pain sensitivity: a community based cross-sectional study of young adults in the Raine study. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 35 (1), 1-64. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000650
2018
Journal Article
Psychophysic-psychological dichotomy in very early acute mTBI pain: a prospective study
Kuperman, Pora, Granovsky, Yelena, Granot, Michal, Bahouth, Hany, Fadel, Shiri, Hyams, Gila, Ben Lulu, Hen, Aspis, Osnat, Salame, Rabia, Begal, Julia, Hochstein, David, Grunner, Shahar, Honigman, Liat, Reshef, Maya, Sprecher, Elliot, Bosak, Noam, Sterling, Michele and Yarnitsky, David (2018). Psychophysic-psychological dichotomy in very early acute mTBI pain: a prospective study. Neurology, 91 (10), e931-e938. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006120
2018
Journal Article
Do post-traumatic pain and post-traumatic stress symptomatology mutually maintain each other? A systematic review of cross-lagged studies
Ravn, Sophie Lykkegaard, Hartvigsen, Jan, Hansen, Maj, Sterling, Michele and Andersen, Tonny Elmose (2018). Do post-traumatic pain and post-traumatic stress symptomatology mutually maintain each other? A systematic review of cross-lagged studies. Pain, 159 (11), 1-2169. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001331
2018
Journal Article
Validation of an index of Sensitivity to Movement-Evoked Pain in patients with whiplash injuries
Wan, Alan K., Rainville, Pierre, O'Leary, Shaun, Elphinston, Rachel A., Sterling, Michele, Larivière, Christian and Sullivan, Michael J. L. (2018). Validation of an index of Sensitivity to Movement-Evoked Pain in patients with whiplash injuries. Pain Reports, 3 (4) e661, e661. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000661
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
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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
-
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
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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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