The clinical translational research focus of the CTPR via the integration of basic and multidisciplinary clinical research is organised under five main research themes.
Pain Classification and Clinical Pain Phenotyping
Dr Catherine Doody
Research is focussed on the identification and classification of Musculoskeletal related pain states according to underlying neurophysiological pain mechanisms. The effects of Physiotherapy and other multidisciplinary interventions are investigated using quantitative sensory testing, clinical testing and patient reported outcome measures.
Pain Management-Rehabilitation and Intervention
Dr Brona Fullen
Collaborations between physiotherapists, occupational therapists, anaesthetists and psychologists to investigate the impact of rehabilitation strategies (cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy programmes) on function, mood, sleep and quality of life in people with chronic pain, diabetic neuropathy and spinal cord injuries using questionnaires and objective testing.
Pain Measurement and Outcome Assessment
Dr Catherine Blake
Assessment of the multidimensional nature of pain is required for descriptive, discriminative, prognostic and evaluative purposes. This underpins the ability to measure change and evaluate intervention efficacy. Collaboration between clinicians and statisticians to test and develop robust measurement protocols, determine clinically important change and develop algorithms to identify predictors and prognostic indicators for treatment outcome in people of all ages.
Basic Science Pain Research
Professor Gerry Wilson
Personalised medicine will be promoted through the use of biomarker profiling with patient stratification and therapeutic targeting to maximise health and minimise disability. Research into the genetic basis of musculoskeletal diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis), discovery of biomarkers predictive of disease outcome, pharmacogenetics of anti-rheumatic therapies and epigenetic regulation of inflammatory cytokines
Evidence Based Medicine
Dr Keith Smart
Exploring the multidimensional pain experiences of different patient groups is required in order to better understand their pain and meet their needs. Understanding how children and adolescents understand pain may facilitate the development of pain education tools that help them to understand their pain experiences in a way that is aligned to contemporary pain science. Investigating pain education within physiotherapy training programmes and pain knowledge of physiotherapy students is required in order to enhance physiotherapists pain-related knowledge and practice.
Professor Laserina O’Connor
Collaborated with general practitioners, statisticians and physiotherapists and conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses in order to interpret research evidence which informs our programmes of research, in addition to the wider interdisciplinary scientific community and clinical colleagues. Evidence based medicine also used to develop and implement national guidelines for acute and chronic non-cancer pain.