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
2016
Journal Article
General practitioners knowledge and management of whiplash associated disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder: implications for patient care
Brijnath, Bianca, Bunzli, Samantha, Xia, Ting, Singh, Nabita, Schattner, Peter, Collie, Alex, Sterling, Michele and Mazza, Danielle (2016). General practitioners knowledge and management of whiplash associated disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder: implications for patient care. BMC Family Practice, 17 (1) 82. doi: 10.1186/s12875-016-0491-2
2016
Journal Article
Effect of verbal persuasion on self-efficacy for pain-related diagnostic sensory testing in individuals with chronic neck pain and healthy controls - a randomized, controlled trial
Soderlund, Anne and Sterling, Michele (2016). Effect of verbal persuasion on self-efficacy for pain-related diagnostic sensory testing in individuals with chronic neck pain and healthy controls - a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Pain Research, 9, 115-122. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S98956
2016
Journal Article
Implementation of a guideline-based clinical pathway of care to improve health outcomes following whiplash injury (Whiplash ImPaCT): protocol of a randomised, controlled trial
Rebbeck, Trudy, Leaver, Andrew, Bandong, Aila Nica, Kenardy, Justin, Refshauge, Kathryn, Connelly, Luke, Cameron, Ian, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Willcock, Simon, Ritchie, Carrie, Jagnoor, Jagnoor and Sterling, Michele (2016). Implementation of a guideline-based clinical pathway of care to improve health outcomes following whiplash injury (Whiplash ImPaCT): protocol of a randomised, controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 62 (2), 111-111. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2016.02.006
2016
Journal Article
Serum C-reactive protein levels predict regional brain responses to noxious cold stimulation of the hand in chronic whiplash associated disorders
Sterling, Michele, Head, Jessica, Cabot, Peter J. and Farrell, Michael (2016). Serum C-reactive protein levels predict regional brain responses to noxious cold stimulation of the hand in chronic whiplash associated disorders. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 11 (1), 19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2015.11.003
2016
Journal Article
Erratum to 'StressModEx - Physiotherapist-led Stress Inoculation Training integrated with exercise for acute whiplash injury: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial' [JPHYS 61/3 (2015) 157] DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.04.003
Ritchie, Carrie, Kenardy, Justin, Smeets, Rob and Sterling, Michele (2016). Erratum to 'StressModEx - Physiotherapist-led Stress Inoculation Training integrated with exercise for acute whiplash injury: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial' [JPHYS 61/3 (2015) 157] DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.04.003. Journal of Physiotherapy, 62 (2), 59-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.12.002
2016
Conference Publication
Using FATIMA - a Robot Mannequin Head - for Validation of Head Tracking Software
Basteris, Angelo, Pedler, Ashley and Sterling, Michele (2016). Using FATIMA - a Robot Mannequin Head - for Validation of Head Tracking Software. 3rd International Conference on Biomedical Engineering (BME-HUST), Hanoi, Vietnam, 5-6 October 2016. Piscataway, NJ, United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/BME-HUST.2016.7782104
2016
Book Chapter
Neck pain
Sterling, Michele (2016). Neck pain. Mechanisms and management of pain for the physical therapist. (pp. 351-362) Philadelphia, United States: Wolters Kluwer Health Adis (ESP).
2015
Journal Article
Diagnostic requirements are necessary before dry needling in the treatment of chronic pain Reply
Sterling, Michele, Vicenzino, Bill and Souvlis, Tina (2015). Diagnostic requirements are necessary before dry needling in the treatment of chronic pain Reply. Pain, 156 (9), 1827-1828. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000242
2015
Journal Article
The Clinical Prediction Rule for Whiplash-Associated Disorders Response
Sterling, Michele and Ritchie, Carrie (2015). The Clinical Prediction Rule for Whiplash-Associated Disorders Response. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45 (9), 722-723. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.0204
2015
Journal Article
Trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and exercise for chronic whiplash: protocol of a randomised, controlled trial
Campbell, Letitia, Kenardy, Justin, Andersen, Tonny, McGregor, Leanne, Maujean, Annick and Sterling, Michele (2015). Trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and exercise for chronic whiplash: protocol of a randomised, controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 61 (4), 1-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.07.003
2015
Journal Article
StressModEx - physiotherapist-led stress inoculation training integrated with exercise for acute whiplash injury: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Ritchie, Carrie, Kenardy, Justin, Smeets, Rob and Sterling, Michele (2015). StressModEx - physiotherapist-led stress inoculation training integrated with exercise for acute whiplash injury: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 61 (3), 157-157. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.04.003
2015
Journal Article
The rapid and progressive degeneration of the cervical multifi dus in whiplash: An MRI study of fatty infi ltration
Elliott, James M., Courtney, Mark, Rademaker, Alfred, Pinto, Daniel, Sterling, Michele M. and Parrish, Todd B. (2015). The rapid and progressive degeneration of the cervical multifi dus in whiplash: An MRI study of fatty infi ltration. Spine, 40 (12), E694-E700. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000891
2015
Journal Article
Comprehensive physiotherapy exercise programme or advice for chronic whiplash (PROMISE): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Michaleff, Z., Maher, C., Lin, C.-W.C., Rebbeck, T., Jull, G., Latimer, J., Connelly, L. and Sterling, M. (2015). Comprehensive physiotherapy exercise programme or advice for chronic whiplash (PROMISE): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy, 101. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1865
2015
Journal Article
The geography of fatty infiltrates within the cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders
Abbott, Rebecca, Pedler, Ashley, Sterling, Michele, Hides, Julie, Murphey, Todd, Hoggarth, Mark and Elliott, James (2015). The geography of fatty infiltrates within the cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45 (4), 281-288. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5719
2015
Journal Article
External validation of a clinical prediction rule to predict full recovery and ongoing moderate/severe disability following acute whiplash injury
Ritchie, Carrie, Hendrikz, John, Jull, Gwendolen, Elliott, James and Sterling, Michele (2015). External validation of a clinical prediction rule to predict full recovery and ongoing moderate/severe disability following acute whiplash injury. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45 (4), 242-250. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5642
2015
Journal Article
Dry-needling and exercise for chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial
Sterling, Michele, Vicenzino, Bill, Souvlis, Tina and Connelly, Luke B. (2015). Dry-needling and exercise for chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial. Pain, 156 (4), 635-643. doi: 10.1097/01.j.pain.0000460359.40116.c1
2015
Journal Article
Exercise therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain: innovation by altering pain memories
Nijs, Jo, Lluch Gires, Enrique, Lundberg, Mari, Malfliet, Anneleen and Sterling, Michele (2015). Exercise therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain: innovation by altering pain memories. Manual Therapy, 20 (1), 216-220. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.07.004
2015
Journal Article
Effect of types and anatomical arrangement of painful stimuli on conditioned pain modulation
Klyne, David M., Schmid, Annina B., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Sterling, Michele and Hodges Paul W. (2015). Effect of types and anatomical arrangement of painful stimuli on conditioned pain modulation. Journal of Pain, 16 (2), 176-185. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.11.005
2015
Journal Article
Addressing sleep problems and cognitive dysfunctions in comprehensive rehabilitation for chronic musculoskeletal pain
Nijs, Jo, Girbes, Enrique Lluch, Lundberg, Mari, Malfliet, Anneleen and Sterling, Michele (2015). Addressing sleep problems and cognitive dysfunctions in comprehensive rehabilitation for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Manual Therapy, 20 (1), E3-E4. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.10.007
2015
Journal Article
Low pain catastrophization and disability predict successful outcome to radiofrequency neurotomy in individuals with chronic whiplash
Smith, Ashley D., Jull, Gwendolen A., Schneider, Geoffery M., Frizzell, Bevan, Hooper, Robert A. and Sterling, Michele M. (2015). Low pain catastrophization and disability predict successful outcome to radiofrequency neurotomy in individuals with chronic whiplash. Pain Practice, 16 (3), 311-319. doi: 10.1111/papr.12282
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
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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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