Neck and Head Research Unit (NAHRU)
This research team investigates the physiological and psychosocial features associated with head, neck and jaw pain in the general population, the working population, those who have suffered head, neck or jaw trauma and recognition of those with serious pathology related to the head or neck.
Findings assist in the development of innovative approaches and clinically relevant measures to assist differential diagnosis and management of pain and features associated with persistent head, neck or jaw problems such as headache, dizziness, visual disturbances, postural instability, vascular or autonomic disturbances.
Volunteer for a research study
Contact the Neck and Head research Unit. neckandheadresearch@uq.edu.au
Group members
Team leaders
The major theme of my research to date has been in the role of the cervical spine in producing symptoms other than pain such as dizziness and visual disturbances and the cervical spine’s role in head and eye movement control and postural stability. I am particularly interested in differential diagnosis and investigating clinical tests that can help physiotherapists identify when the cervical spine is implicated in these symptoms and signs. This research has led me to consider populations with neck pain, headache, concussion, visual and vestibular impairments. My research and it’s translation to clinical practice have gained the attention of clinicians and researchers internationally and has had a significant impact on, and uptake in, clinical practice internationally. I have a consistent publishing record in quality journals in the musculoskeletal and related multidisciplinary and professional fields. Since 2008, I have received over one half a million dollars in competitive research funding from agencies including Queensland Health (HMR), ARC and University of Queensland funding. I have sought and been sought for several international and national collaborations with leading researchers in the areas of neck pain, whiplash, concussion and proprioception. These collaborations have resulted in several publications with the majority of the collaborators with the others currently in progress. To date I have supervised 4 PhDs to completion, and have supervised over 100 honours, GEMS and/or Masters research students to project completion. I am currently supervising 2 PhD students and 2 MPhil students,
Dr Thomas is a researcher, academic and Co-Director of the Neck, and Headache Research Unit at the University of Queensland. She is a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and holds an honorary appointment at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Lucy has worked as a manipulative physiotherapist for 34 years and taught in musculoskeletal therapy since 2005. She completed her PhD in 2013, ' Minimising risk factors for cervical spine manipulation' and MMedSc in 2005. She led development of the APA ‘Clinical guide to safe manual therapy practice in the cervical spine’ in 2018 and her research also informed the revised 2020 IFOMPT framework. Her main research focus is on early identification of craniocervical arterial dissection and red flag conditions in headache and neck pain, evaluation of the role of the neck in headache and dizziness and validating screening tools for the cervical region for use in clinical practice.
Lucy has been an invited keynote speaker at conferences, delivering workshops and webinars nationally and internationally in safe practice, evaluation and management of the cervical spine. She has published widely in peer reviewed journals and contributed chapters to two textbooks on cervical spine management. She teaches extensively into undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy programs and supervises several doctoral students.
Team members
Dr Lucy Thomas
Dr Julia Treleaven
A/Prof Shaun O’Leary
Dr Zhiqi Liang
Dr Viana Vuvan
Katrina Williams
Dr Alana Dinsdale
Dr Elise Gane
Team founder
Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
Clinical Interface
The Neck and Head Research Unit houses two patient clinics where patients can attend for specialised assessment for a fee for service.
Whiplash Assessment Clinic
Headache Clinic
Key research activities
Our research looks at the inter-relationships between pain processing, motor and kinematic function, sensorimotor function and psychosocial responses in traumatic and idiopathic models of neck, head or jaw pain including:
- whiplash associated disorders
- insidious onset neck pain
- cervical and axio-scapular muscle function
- nerve mechanosensitivity
- temporomandibular disorders
- cervicogenic headache
- migraine/ tension type headache/ vestibular migraine
- cervicogenic dizziness
- concussion/ mild traumatic brain injury
- cervical artery dissection
- vertebrobasilar insufficiency
- occupational neck conditions - prevention and management
- neck pain and dysfunction in the elderly
- neck pain and dysfunction in head and neck cancer
- neck pain and dysfunction in peripheral and central vestibular conditions
- neck pain and dysfunction and visual disorders
- recognition of red flag disorders
- safety in manual therapy
- translational education research
- development of physiotherapy interventions for cervical spine (neck) and temporomandibular disorders.
Research methods
Self-reported
- Questionnaires- pain, disability, pain on movement, other symptoms, psychosocial factors, trauma related factors
- Qualitative studies/ Focus groups
- Risk criteria- clinical decision tool
- Pain diary/ Pain mapping
Musculoskeletal measures
- Cervical kinematics- range, velocity and accuracy
- Posture
- Manual examination
- Neuromuscular control
- Strength and endurance testing
Sensorimotor
- Proprioception - Joint position sense
- Movement sense
- Force sense
- Balance - Static, Dynamic, Gait and Functional
- Oculomotor
- Smooth pursuit.
- Gaze stability
- Nystagmus
- NPC/Accommodation
- Stereognosis
- Reaction time
- Eye head co-ordination
- Trunk head co-ordination
- Neck jaw co-ordination
- Vestibular suite of measures
Sensory
- Pressure, vibration, thermal pain thresholds/detection
- Laterality
- Two point discrimination
- Cold pain modulation
- Temporal summation
- Exercise induced analgesia
Others
- Cadaver anatomical studies
- Vascular ultrasound elastography
- MRI studies
- Autonomic/Physiological -Heart rate variability, Buffalo concussion treadmill test
Equipment available
- EMG
- Virtual reality
- Strength gauges
- Pressure sensors
- Ultrasound
- CPM
- PPT
- Thermal testing
- Force Bite sensors
- ENG
- VNG
- RAF rule
- Motion sensors
- Laser
- Force plates/ Wii board
- HRV
- Treadmill
Research higher degree candidates
Current Research Higher Degree candidates
| Candidate | Degree | Supervisor/s | Project Title/Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Chalomjai Pensri | PhD | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas Dr Zhiqi Liang E/Prof Gwen Jull | Nature of neck pain and function in Tension type headache |
Harry Troung | MPhil | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas | Relationship between sleep and neck pain. |
Bryden Leung | MPhil | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas | Serious adverse events associated with management of the cervical spine. |
| Amy Papinniemi | PhD | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas | Upper cervical anatomy and dysfunction |
Recently completed Research Higher Degree candidates
Candidate | Degree | Supervisor/s | Project Title/Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Alana Dinsdale | PhD | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas Dr Roma Forbes | Self-reported limitations and musculoskeletal impairments in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders |
Zhiqi Liang | PhD | Dr Julia Treleaven Dr Lucy Thomas E/Prof Gwen Jull | The Nature of Neck Pain in Migraine |
Yanfei Xie | PhD | A/Prof Venerina Johnston Dr Brooke Coombes Dr Lucy Thomas | Characterization of muscle, sensory and psychosocial features of idiopathic neck pain among sonographers |
Ameer Alhusuny | PhD | A/Prof Venerina Johnston Dr Margaret Cook | Neck/Shoulder and Vision Problems in Surgical Team Performing Minimally Invasive Surgeries |
Olivia Galea | PhD | A/Prof Shaun O’Leary Dr Julia Treleaven | Do impairments exist beyond expected recovery time following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and what is their relationship with self-reported symptoms
|
Michelle Cottrell | PhD | Professor Trevor Russell A/Prof Shaun O’Leary Dr Annie Hill | Evaluation of a telerehabilitation model of care for the multidisciplinary management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions within N/OPSC & MDS. |
Khalid Jaber | MPhil | A/Prof Shaun O’Leary Dr Michael MacAuliffe Professor Michelle Sterling | Psychological, social and sensory predictors of a poor response to total knee replacement |
Deokhoon Hun | PhD | A/Prof Shaun O’Leary A/Prof Venerina Johnston | A longitudinal study of risk factors for non-specific neck pain in office workers. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:690540 |
Xiaoqi Chen | PhD | A/Prof Venerina Johnston A/Prof Shaun O’Leary | Prevention and reduction of neck pain in office workers: characteristics, contributing factors, and impact of a workplace-based exercise and ergonomic intervention https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:690623 |
Michelle Pereira | PhD | A/Prof Venerina Johnston, A/Prof Tracy Comans | Workplace intervention for productivity enhancement of office workers |
Yaheli Bet-or | MPhil / PhD | A/Prof Venerina Johnston A/Prof Shaun O’Leary | Characteristics of scapula-thoracic kinematics in a healthy population and those with chronic non-specific neck pain. |
June Quek | PhD | Dr Julia Treleaven Professor Sandy Brauer Dr Ross Clark | The Influence of Cervical Spine Dysfunction on Postural Control. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:721150
|
Peter Window | PhD | A/Prof Shaun O’Leary Dr Kylie Tucker Professor Paul Hodges | Can Kinematic based measures of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex detect differences in motor function in individuals with chronic low back pain and healthy controls? |
Elise Gane | PhD | A/Prof Shaun O’Leary Dr Steven McPhail Dr Anna Hatton | Identifying risk factors for poor functional recovery of the neck and shoulder (neck/shoulder) after neck dissection surgery in patients with head and neck cancer. |
Research projects
Project Title | Funding | Investigators | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Validation of a diagnostic tool for recognition of CAD in primary care | Promoting women fellowship | L Thomas | Lucy Thomas l.thomas2@uq.edu.au |
| Australian and New Zealand Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Symptoms | MRFF Stream 4 $500,000 | Prof Karen Barlow Prof Jennie Ponsford Prof Franz Babl Prof Vicky Anderson Prof John Oliver Prof Gavin Davis Dr Julia Treleaven Gill Cowan | Dr Julia Treleaven |
| Influences of cervical and temporomandibular musculoskeletal disorders and pain sensitivity on response to Onabotulinumtoxin A treatment for migraine | Liang | ||
Nature of headache in migraine 2018-2019 | PRF | Z Liang, G Jull, J Treleaven, L Thomas | Zhiqi Liang Completed 2021 |
A longitudinal study of risk factors for neck pain in office workers
| Office Ergonomic Research Committee | Jun H, Johnston V, O’Leary S. | Completed 2017 |
Is there a difference in scapular kinematics between healthy controls and people with chronic neck pain? | Physiotherapy Research Foundation seeding grant
| Bet-or Y, Johnston V, O’Leary S. | Completed 2017 |
Remote kinematic e-training/healthcare for patients with chronic neck pain, a randomised clinical trial | Health and Medical Research Queensland Health 2014 HMR | Treleaven J, Sarig-Bahat H. | Completed 2017 |
Factors associated with laterality/ implicit motor imagery performance in chronic neck pain and whiplash | No funding | Treleaven J, Rebbeck T, Stanton T. | |
An investigation of the mechanical properties of the cervical arteries using ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography | SHRS New staff Research Set-Up Fund | Thomas, L | l.thomas2@uq.edu.au |
Identifying risk factors for poor functional recovery of the neck and shoulder after neck dissection surgery in patients with head and neck cancer | Physiotherapy Research Foundation 2015 Seeding Grant. | Gane E, O'Leary S, McPhail S, Hatton A, Panizza B. | |
Validation of a diagnostic support tool for the early recognition of cervical arterial dissection in patients with acute onset of neck pain or headache | No funding | Thomas L, Wong A, Holliday E, Attia J | l.thomas2@uq.edu.au |
Optimising patient selection and resource utilization for the non-surgical management of common orthopaedic conditions | RBWH Research Grant. | O’Leary, McPhail, Comans, Raymer, Khan. | |
Clinical guide for safe manual therapy practice in the cervical spine | Australian Physiotherapy Association | Thomas L, Shirley D, Refshauge K, Rivett D |
|
In the media
- Neck pain in migraine, 9 News.
- Neck pain in migraine, Australian Physio.
- Virtual reality research to help neck pain: Queensland Researchers, Sydney Morning Herald.
- Professor Gwen Jull on being made an Officer in the Order of Australia, UQ News.
- Neck pain and office workers, ABC News.
Collaborators
International collaborators
- Professor Deborah Falla, Chair in rehab science and Physiotherapy, Director , Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for spinal pain. University of Birmingham.
- Professor Gisela Sjøgaard, Institute of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
- Professor Markus Melloh, Director Centre for Health Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Science
- Professor Anneli Peolsson, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Sweden
- Dr Hilla Sarig Bahat, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Haifa
- A/Prof Jinny Uthaikup, Chaing Mai University Thailand
- Dr Marco Barbero, University of Applied sciences University of Switzerland
- Dr Ulrik Röijezon, Department of Health Sciences Lulea University Sweden
- Dr Peter Michaelson, Department of Health Sciences, Lulea University Sweden
- Dr Martin Björklund, Umeo University, Sweden
- Matt Hammerle, Physical Therapist Brain Injury and Vestibular Rehabilitation BIR Clinic Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas USA.
- Dr Nicholas Clark, St Marys University London
- Dr Alison Rushton, University of Birmingham
- Dr Markus Ernst, ZHAW School of Health Professions, Switzerland
- Dr Rik Kranenberg, Hanze University of Applied Science, Groningen, Netherlands
National collaborators
- Professor James Elliott, Allied Health NSLHD The University of Sydney
- Professor Leon Straker, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow, Curtin University of Technology, Perth
- A/Prof Trudy Rebbeck, University of Sydney
- A/Professor Tasha Stanton, University of South Australia
- Dr Sue Reid, ACU Sydney
- Professor Julie Hides, Deputy Head of School Allied Health Griffith University Nathan Brisbane.
- Professor Chris Levi, Hunter Medical Research Unit, John Hunter Hospital, The University of Newcastle
- Professor John Attia, Hunter Medical Research Unit, The University of Newcastle
- Dr Elizabeth Holliday, Hunter Medical Research Unit, The University of Newcastle
- Dr Andrew Wong, Director of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
- Dr Rebecca Crawford, Adj. Assoc. Prof. Curtin University, Perth, Australia
The University of Queensland
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences collaborators
- Professor Michele Sterling, RECOVER Injury Research Centre,
- Professor Sandy Brauer - Physiotherapy
- Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
- Dr Roma Forbes
Inter-School/Faculty collaborators
- Gail Durbridge, HERTH
Volunteer for a research study
Contact the Neck and Head Research Unit for information on studies currently recruiting participants.