
Overview
Background
From 2020 Andrew has led research development at the Tess Cramond Pain and Research Centre (Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital). Topics including clinical outcome measures, service evaluation and strategic planning, clinical trials employing pain education, opioid management, quantitative sensory testing and medical procedures. Current and recent projects include:
- Initiating the Pelvic Exenteration Pain Management Research Collaboration in 2024: A multidisciplinary community of clinicians and researchers at the Tess Cramond Pain and Research Centre, the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and the STARS Hospital, to study how the quality of life can be improved for people who have pelvic organs and tissues removed to manage cancer.
- Collaboration with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health, to embed multidisciplinary research and quality improvement in the co-design and implementation of collaborative care between the TCPRC- IUIH, at the Moreton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service in Caboolture through 2023-2024.
- Contributing to the non-surgical pain management stream for the NHMRC-NIHR Collaborative Research Grant, for a multicentre RCT on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with persistent, severe low back pain: Short: FusiOn veRsus bEst coNServatIve Care (the FORENSIC trial)
- The LIDOPAIN RCT in 2023: Lidocaine Infusion Dose Optimisation for Pain After Injury to Nerves, was a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot feasibility study for lidocaine infusions, with comprehensive pre-post evaluation of patient questionnaires and sensory testing profiles, to identify which patients do and to not respond to this infusion. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=382966&isReview=true
- Advisor for Phoebe Ng, oral thesis defense 2024: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Insights into health profile and paraspinal muscle activation.
- Advisor for Fraser Labrom, thesis awarded 2023: Three dimensional analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during growth.
- Collaboration with UQ RECOVER Injury Research Centre have
- Currently completing a project funded by the RBWH Foundation, to examine small nerve fibre expression acutely and subacutely after motor vehicle accident, as a marker associated with the transition from acute to chronic pain.
- Developed a chatbot for providing pain education for children and for adults,
- Investigated the validity of phone apps for measuring the 6-minute walk test in people with persistent pain.
- Locally at the Tess Cramond Pain and Research Centre I co-lead annual projects for
- quality improvement: UQ PHRM4071 student placement and Pain Medicine Trainee projects.
- audit: ePPOC annual data reporting.
- systematic reviews: UQ HRSS7801 group physiotherapy student project.
From 2004-2019 Andrew's PhD and postgraduate supervision as a lecturer in physiotherapy, focussed on how the brain controls posture and movement. This included studies of sitting, standing, stepping, squatting, pushing and postural control with low back pain and with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Extending understanding of postural control continues with colleagues at QUT Biomechanics and Spine Research Group (Prof Peter Pivonka, Maree Izatt and Assoc Prof Paige Little), the UQ Schools of ITEE (Dr Pauline Pounds) and SBMS Motor Control and Pain laboratory (Assoc Prof Kylie Tucker), and with Curtin University / UWA Raine cohort study (Prof Leon Straker).
Availability
- Dr Andrew Claus is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Physiotherapy Studies, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Andrew Claus’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Conference Publication
Clinical predictors of treatment success for patients with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review
Matthews, M., Claus, A. and Vicenzino, B. (2015). Clinical predictors of treatment success for patients with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review. Australian Physiotherapy Association, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 3-6 October 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
Healthy athletes within normal weight range are susceptible to DVT: 5 case studies
Claus, A., Mellor, R. and McLean, R. (2015). Healthy athletes within normal weight range are susceptible to DVT: 5 case studies. Australian Physiotherapy Association, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 3-6 October 2015.
2014
Journal Article
Manual handling: differences in perceived effort, success rate and kinematics between three different pushing techniques
Varcin, Lynn, Claus, Andrew, Van Den Hoorn, Wolbert and Hodges, Paul (2014). Manual handling: differences in perceived effort, success rate and kinematics between three different pushing techniques. Ergonomics, 58 (2), 268-277. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.970586
2014
Journal Article
Two examples of "cuboid syndrome" with active bone pathology: why did manual therapy help?
Matthews, Mark Lewis Gordon and Claus, Andrew Philip (2014). Two examples of "cuboid syndrome" with active bone pathology: why did manual therapy help?. Manual Therapy, 19 (5), 494-498. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2013.11.007
2013
Journal Article
Recruitment of Discrete Regions of the Psoas Major and Quadratus Lumborum Muscles Is Changed in Specific Sitting Postures in Individuals With Recurrent Low Back Pain
Park, Rachel J., Tsao, Henry, Claus, Andrew, Cresswell, Andrew G. and Hodges, Paul W. (2013). Recruitment of Discrete Regions of the Psoas Major and Quadratus Lumborum Muscles Is Changed in Specific Sitting Postures in Individuals With Recurrent Low Back Pain. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 43 (11), 833-840. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4840
2013
Journal Article
Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with voluntary trunk and hip tasks and different spinal curvatures in sitting
Park, Rachel J., Tsao, Henry, Claus, Andrew, Cresswell, Andrew G. and Hodges, Paul W. (2013). Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with voluntary trunk and hip tasks and different spinal curvatures in sitting. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 43 (2), 74-82. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4292
2013
Conference Publication
Optimum biomechanics to reduce the slip risk in manual handling push tasks
Varcin-Coad, L., Claus, A., van den Hoorn, W. and Hodges, P. (2013). Optimum biomechanics to reduce the slip risk in manual handling push tasks. Australian Physiotherapy Association, Melbourne, Australia, 17-20 October 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Do people who report low back pain with sitting, sit in a different posture to those without pain? An observational study
Chia KL, Claus AP and Hodges PW (2013). Do people who report low back pain with sitting, sit in a different posture to those without pain? An observational study. Australian Physiotherapy Association, Melbourne, Australia, 17-20 October 2013.
2011
Conference Publication
Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with different trunk and hip tasks and spinal curvatures in sitting
Park, Rachel, Tsao, Henry, Claus, Andrew, Cresswell, Andrew and Hodges, Paul (2011). Changes in regional activity of the psoas major and quadratus lumborum with different trunk and hip tasks and spinal curvatures in sitting. XXIIIrd Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Brussels, Belgium, 3-7 July 2011.
2009
Journal Article
Is ‘ideal’ sitting posture real?: Measurement of spinal curves in four sitting postures
Claus, Andrew P., Hides, Julie A., Moseley, G. Lorimer and Hodges, Paul W. (2009). Is ‘ideal’ sitting posture real?: Measurement of spinal curves in four sitting postures. Manual Therapy, 14 (4), 404-408. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2008.06.001
2009
Journal Article
Different ways to balance the spine: Subtle changes in sagittal spinal curves affect regional muscle activity
Claus, Andrew P., Hides, Julie A., Moseley, G. Lorimer and Hodges, Paul W. (2009). Different ways to balance the spine: Subtle changes in sagittal spinal curves affect regional muscle activity. Spine, 34 (6), E208-E214. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181908ead
2009
Conference Publication
Spinal posture in sitting: How do we sit and how should we sit?
Claus A, Hides J, Moseley L and Hodges P (2009). Spinal posture in sitting: How do we sit and how should we sit?. International Society for Postural and Gait Research, Bologna Italy, 25-29 June 2009. http://ispgr.silkstart.com/cpages/italy-2009-1:
2008
Other Outputs
Physiology of sitting
Claus, Andrew (2008). Physiology of sitting. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/179355
2008
Journal Article
Sitting versus standing: Does the intradiscal pressure cause disc degeneration or low back pain?
Claus, Andrew, Hides, Julie, Moseley, G. Lorimer and Hodges, Paul (2008). Sitting versus standing: Does the intradiscal pressure cause disc degeneration or low back pain?. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 18 (4), 550-558. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2006.10.011
2007
Conference Publication
Neutral lumbar spine posture in sitting: Examining spinal curves and muscle activity
Claus, Andrew P., Hides, Julie A., Moseley, G. Lorimer and Hodges, Paul W. (2007). Neutral lumbar spine posture in sitting: Examining spinal curves and muscle activity. World Confederation for Physical Therapy 15th International Conference, 2007, Vancouver, Canada, June 2-6, 2007. London, UK: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0031-9406(07)60001-7
2007
Conference Publication
Spinal postures in sitting: Can researchers and subjects differentiate postures at lumbar and thoraco-lumbar regions?
Claus, A., Hides, J., Moseley, L. and Hodges, P. (2007). Spinal postures in sitting: Can researchers and subjects differentiate postures at lumbar and thoraco-lumbar regions?. ISPGR 18th International Conference, Burlington, USA, 14-18 July 2007. ISPGR.
2004
Conference Publication
Differential Activation of Lumbar Multifidus with Cognitive Contraction and Upright Postures: A Multifidus Manifesto
Claus, Andrew, Hides, Julie, Moseley, G. Lorimer and Kippers, Vaughan (2004). Differential Activation of Lumbar Multifidus with Cognitive Contraction and Upright Postures: A Multifidus Manifesto. The University of Queensland School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Postgraduate Research Conference Day, Emmanuel College, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld., 14 July 2004. St. Lucia, Qld.: The University of Queensland.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Andrew Claus is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Foot orthoses versus hip exercises and the effect of greater foot mobility in the management of patellofemoral pain
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Insights into Health Profile and Paraspinal Muscle Activation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kylie Tucker
-
2023
Master Philosophy
Three-Dimensional Segmental Analysis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis During Growth
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Postural control in children with cerebral palsy: a comprehensive definition, framework and reproducible assessment.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kylie Tucker
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Andrew Claus directly for media enquiries about:
- Ergonomics of workplace pushing tasks
- Human spinal posture
- Low back pain
- Muscles - activity and movement
- Posture - spinal
- Sitting posture
- Spinal health
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