Core executive

This page has information about the NPRN's core executive covering professional and academic details of its members:

Professor Ann P Moore, Chair of the NPRN Core Executive

Professor Moore is Director of the Clinical Research Centre for Health Professions at the University of Brighton. She qualified as a physiotherapist in 1973, and was one of the first few members of the profession in the UK to be awarded a PhD in Physiotherapy. She is an internationally renowned scholar, educator and researcher. She was made Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Brighton in 1998, received a Fellowship of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (FCSP) in 1999 and a fellowship of the Manipulation Association of CSP. She is Executive Editor of Manual Therapy journal.

Some of Professor Moore's more recent professional activities have included acting as chair for the CSP's Whiplash Guideline Development Group, sitting on the Ministerial Review Panel for teaching and research in Primary Care and chairing the CSP's Professional Awards Panel. Recently she accepted a place on one of the National Institute for Health Research's Research for Patient Benefit funding programme committees. She is involved extensively in own account research, in doctoral level teaching, supervision, advising and examining (including both professional doctorates and traditional route PhDs) and has examined in Australia and the Netherlands. She plays an active role in university committees and the management group.

Her current musculoskeletal research interests include spinal dysfunction, standardised data collection, clinical trials and patient focussed research. She also has research interests in wellbeing, health and occupation for older people. She speaks regularly at conferences and seminars in the UK and many other countries. She has given over 100 presentations, the majority of which are invited. She has published 3 books, 5 chapters in books, over 70 peer reviewed articles and 30 editorials.

Recent publications

Some of her recent publications include:

  • Hurley DA, McDonough SM, Dempster M, Moore AP, Baxter GD. A randomized clinical trial of manipulative therapy and interferential therapy for acute low back pain. Spine. 2004 Oct 15;29(20):2207-16.
  • Sofaer B, Moore AP, Holloway I, Lamberty JM, Thorp TA, O'Dwyer J. Chronic pain as perceived by older people: a qualitative study. Age Ageing. 2005 Sep;34(5):462-6.
  • Goldby LJ, Moore AP, Doust J, Trew ME. A randomized controlled trial investigating the efficiency of musculoskeletal physiotherapy on chronic low back disorder. Spine. 2006 May 1;31(10):1083-93.
  • Hurley DA, McDonough SM, Baxter GD, Dempster M, Moore AP. A descriptive study of the usage of spinal manipulative therapy techniques within a randomized clinical trial in acute low back pain. Man Ther. 2005 Feb;10(1):61-7.
  • Troke M, Moore AP, Maillardet FJ, Cheek E. A normative database of lumbar spine ranges of motion. Man Ther. 2005 Aug;10(3):198-206.
  • Moore A, Jackson A, Jordan J, Hammersley S, Hill J, Mercer C, et al. Clinical guidelines for the physiotherapy management of whiplash associated disorder. London: The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; 2005.
  • Sofaer-Bennett B, Walker J, Moore A, Lamberty J, Thorp T, O'Dwyer J. The social consequences for older people of neuropathic pain: a qualitative study. Pain Med. 2007 Apr;8(3):263-70.
  • Hough AD, Moore AP, Jones MP. Reduced longitudinal excursion of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007 May;88(5):569-76.
  • Sofaer-Bennett B, Holloway I, Moore A, Lamberty J, Thorp T, O'Dwyer J. Perseverance by older people in their management of chronic pain: a qualitative study. Pain Med. 2007 Apr;8(3):271-80.
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Professor Julius Sim

Julius Sim BA MSc(Soc) MSc(Stat) PhD FRSA is Professor of Health Care Research and Director of Postgraduate Research in the Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences at Keele University. He teaches primarily research methods and statistics on postgraduate research training programmes in social science and health. His principal research activity is centred in musculoskeletal pain (in particular fibromyalgia) and social gerontology. Currently, he is involved in a number of randomized controlled trials of conservative management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, laboratory studies of stimulation induced analgesia, and two longitudinal studies of health and well-being in retirement communities in the UK.

Julius is on the editorial boards of Physiotherapy Theory and Practice and Physiotherapy Canada, and is chair of Sub-Panel 12 for RAE 2008.

Recent publications

These include:

  • Sim J, Wright CC. The kappa statistic in reliability studies: use, interpretation, and sample size requirements. Phys Ther. 2005 Mar;85(3):257-68.
  • Dziedzic K, Hill J, Lewis M, Sim J, Daniels J, Hay EM. Effectiveness of manual therapy or pulsed shortwave diathermy in addition to advice and exercise for neck disorders: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in physical therapy clinics. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Apr 15;53(2):214-22.
  • Hay EM, Mullis R, Lewis M, Vohora K, Main CJ, Watson P, et al. Comparison of physical treatments versus a brief pain-management programme for back pain in primary care: a randomised clinical trial in physiotherapy practice. Lancet. 2005 Jun 11-17;365(9476):2024-30.
  • Barlas P, Ting SL, Chesterton LS, Jones PW, Sim J. Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture upon experimental pain in healthy human volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Pain. 2006 May;122(1-2):81-9.
  • Richardson JC, Ong BN, Sim J. Is chronic widespread pain biographically disruptive? Soc Sci Med. 2006 Sep;63(6):1573-85.
  • Sim J, Jordan K, Lewis M, Hill J, Hay EM, Dziedzic K. Sensitivity to change and internal consistency of the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and derivation of a minimal clinically important difference. Clin J Pain. 2006 Nov-Dec;22(9):820-6.
  • Hay EM, Foster NE, Thomas E, Peat G, Phelan M, Yates HE, et al. Effectiveness of community physiotherapy and enhanced pharmacy review for knee pain in people aged over 55 presenting to primary care: pragmatic randomised trial. BMJ. 2006 Nov 11;333(7576):995.
  • Coar L, Sim J. Interviewing one's peers: methodological issues in a study of health professionals. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2006 Dec;24(4):251-6.
  • Sim J, Lacey RJ, Lewis M. The impact of workplace risk factors on the occurrence of neck and upper limb pain: a general population study. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:234.
  • Madden S, Sim J. Creating meaning in fibromyalgia syndrome. Soc Sci Med. 2006 Dec;63(11):2962-73.
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Dr Elizabeth White

Elizabeth White worked for many years in clinical practice, specializing in amputee management, wheelchair and special seating provision and pressure management. In 1997 she completed her PhD in Social Policy at the University of Kent. In 2000, Elizabeth moved to higher education, where she taught on the post-graduate occupational therapy course at Bart's and the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry. She served as Chair of the College of Occupational Therapists' Research and Development Board from 1998-2001, and during this time contributed to the HEFCE/DH project 'Promoting research in nursing and the professions allied to medicine'.

In January 2002, Elizabeth was appointed as Research and Development Officer at the College, and assumed her present role as Head of Research and Development at the beginning of 2003. Her current remit includes the strategic promotion of occupational therapy R&D, knowledge management and facilitating research activity amongst the College's membership. She represents the profession on the NICE Partners' Council, the SDO Programme Board and is convenor of the Research Forum for Allied Health Professions.

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Professor Maria Stokes

Professor Stokes is Director of Research in the School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Southampton, and Chair in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation. She trained as a physiotherapist at the London Hospital and studied for a doctorate in Neuromuscular Physiology at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Oxford. This work involved using ultrasound imaging of muscle and was awarded a PhD (CNAA) in 1985.

Her post-doctoral training was as a Research Fellow at the Muscle Research Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Liverpool, where her research focused on investigating physiological mechanisms of muscle weakness and fatigue. In 1988, she took up the post of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland. Studies with students and funded projects included developing the ultrasound imaging technique for measuring various muscles and a technique for recording muscle sounds (vibrations) known as mechanomyography, and investigating muscle fatigue mechanisms (peripheral and central).

In 1992 Prof. Stokes became Director of Research and Development at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney, London. She set up an R&D Support Unit for clinical staff and implemented research governance systems. She was made a Visiting Professor at St George's Hospital Medical School in 1998. She sat on several national and regional funding panels, including for the Department of Health.

The theme of her current research is investigating physiological mechanisms of normal neuromusculoskeletal function, dysfunction and recovery, informing development of treatments in rehabilitation. This includes further development of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) and she took part in the first Symposium on RUSI in Texas in 2006, to set international guidelines for clinical practice, research and training. Another area is using brain-computer interfacing (BCI) technology to examine mechanisms of neuromuscular dysfunction and as an aid to rehabilitation. Her research lies within a cross-faculty initiative at the University of Southampton, the Life Sciences Interfaces Forum, mainly collaborating with engineering sciences.

Prof. Stokes is a Sub-Editor of Clinical Rehabilitation and is on the Editorial Board and acts as a reviewer for several journals. She has over 180 publications, including 3 books, 78 peer reviewed papers, 13 book chapters and 87 abstracts and letters.

Recent publications

Examples include:

  • Curran E, Sykacek P, Stokes M, Roberts SJ, Penny W, Johnsrude I, et al. Cognitive tasks for driving a brain-computer interfacing system: a pilot study. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2004 Mar;12(1):48-54.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Size and shape of the posterior neck muscles measured by ultrasound imaging: normal values in males and females of different ages. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):108-15.
  • Stokes M, Rankin G, Newham DJ. Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus muscle: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):116-26.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Abdominal muscle size and symmetry in normal subjects. Muscle Nerve. 2006 Sep;34(3):320-6.
  • O'Sullivan C, Bentman S, Bennett K, Stokes M. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging of the lower trapezius muscle: technical description and reliability. J Orthop Sports Phys Therap. 2007; In Press.
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Professor Di Newham

Professor Newham is Director of the Applied Biomedical Research Division in the School of Biomedical and Health Sciences at King's College London (KCL). This Division is an association of researchers from a number of disciplines in basic and clinical sciences, bioengineering and psychology who have the common aim of applying fundamental biomedical research to real, whole person, problems. Links with basic science research provide the building blocks for providing an integrated approach to clinical and human problems. The Division is interested not only in the scientific problems themselves, but also how to apply these solutions and methodologies to the community. The common aim is to:
  1. improve understanding of underlying mechanisms,
  2. develop rational physical interventions and
  3. evaluate the outcome of new and existing interventions and rehabilitation at all levels of impairment and function.

Before becoming head of the research Division she was the first Head of the Academic Physiotherapy Department at KCL. She qualified in physiotherapy as a mature student in1976. After some years working clinically she developed a real interest in research and worked as a researcher in the Departments of Medicine and Physiology at University College London on grant support for ten years, being awarded an MPhil in 1982 and a PhD in 1985.

Professor Newham has published extensively in high quality journals that span clinical through to human physiology. Her research focus is on skeletal muscle function and control in health and disease with an emphasis on rehabilitation and ageing. She sits on research and strategy committees for medical research charities (Arthritis Research Campaign and Research into Ageing), has an editorial role for a number of journals (European Journal of Applied Physiology, Disability and Rehabilitation, Journal of Sports Sciences, Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy Reviews, Physiotherapy Theory & Practice, Sports Exercise & Injury). She was a panel member for the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise and is performing the same role in 2008.

Recent publications

These include:

  • Garland SW, Newham DJ, Turner DL. The amplitude of the slow component of oxygen uptake is related to muscle contractile properties. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004 Mar;91(2-3):192-8.
  • McMeeken JM, Beith ID, Newham DJ, Milligan P, Critchley DJ. The relationship between EMG and change in thickness of transversus abdominis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2004 May;19(4):337-42.
  • Main E, Castle R, Newham D, Stocks J. Respiratory physiotherapy vs. suction: the effects on respiratory function in ventilated infants and children. Intensive Care Med. 2004 Jun;30(6):1144-51.
  • Jones A, Tilling K, Wilson-Barnett J, Newham DJ, Wolfe CD. Effect of recommended positioning on stroke outcome at six months: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2005 Mar;19(2):138-45.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Size and shape of the posterior neck muscles measured by ultrasound imaging: normal values in males and females of different ages. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):108-15.
  • Stokes M, Rankin G, Newham DJ. Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus muscle: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):116-26.
  • Woledge RC, Birtles DB, Newham DJ. The variable component of lateral body sway during walking in young and older humans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005 Nov;60(11):1463-8.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Abdominal muscle size and symmetry in normal subjects. Muscle Nerve. 2006 Sep;34(3):320-6.
  • Carville SF, Rutherford OM, Newham DJ. Power output, isometric strength and steadiness in the leg muscles of pre- and postmenopausal women; the effects of hormone replacement therapy. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006 Feb;96(3):292-8.
  • Robb KA, Williams JE, Duvivier V, Newham DJ. A pain management program for chronic cancer-treatment-related pain: a preliminary study. J Pain. 2006 Feb;7(2):82-90.
  • Smith IC, Newham DJ. Fatigue and functional performance of human biceps muscle following concentric or eccentric contractions. J Appl Physiol. 2007 Jan;102(1):207-13.

Papers in Press

  • Carville SF, Perry MC, Rutherford OM, Smith IC & Newham DJ Steadiness of quadriceps contractions in young and older adults with and without a history of falling Eur J Appl Physiol. In Press
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Dr Gabrielle Rankin

Gabrielle works three days as a research adviser at the CSP and two days in clinical practice.

As a research adviser, her main roles are to identify and influence policy development that impacts on physiotherapy research, to raise the profile of physiotherapy to a wide range of organisations including government and research funders, and working in collaboration with the NPRN, to support and advise members on all aspects of research. Gabrielle has produced reports and lobbied in relation to a range of national research consultations such as the Department of Health research strategy, reviews of research funding, research capacity, ethics and the RAE. This often results in opportunities for representation on influential R&D committees and funding panels. Gabrielle sits on the Research Forum for Allied Health Professions and the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Policy Committee.

Clinical and research interests are in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, in particular rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), which was the topic of her PhD, muscle rehabilitation and the classification and management of low back pain. Gabrielle is an Associate Editor of Physiotherapy and a member of the International Advisory Board of Manual Therapy.

Recent publication

  • Stokes M, Rankin G, Newham DJ. Ultrasound imaging of lumbar multifidus muscle: normal reference ranges for measurements and practical guidance on the technique. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):116-26.
  • Rankin G. What can be learnt from the BMJ back pain study and where do we go from here? Physiotherapy. 2005;91(1):4-5.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Size and shape of the posterior neck muscles measured by ultrasound imaging: normal values in males and females of different ages. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):108-15.
  • Rankin G, Stokes M, Newham DJ. Abdominal muscle size and symmetry in normal subjects. Muscle Nerve. 2006 Sep;34(3):320-6.
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Professor Jackie Campbell

Professor Jackie Campbell BSc (Hons), MSc(MedPhys), MSc(AppStat) PhD, MInstP, CPhys is Professor of Neurophysiology (part-time) at The University of Northampton, Research Coordinator for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, Chair of the Research Forum for Allied Health Professions and a freelance health research consultant. She is a qualified statistician and chartered physicist.

She is an academic hybrid, initially qualifying as a physicist. She applied this in the field of medicine and healthcare as a researcher into the processes of pain and pain relief at the Walton Hospital in Liverpool, which also confirmed her belief in multi-disciplinary working. She returned to her academic roots as a physics lecturer at Nene College in 1987 but soon ended up as head of a department of health and life sciences, which included the School of Podiatry, and was subsequently the Head of Research for what is now the School of Health until 2004. She has wide-ranging research interests and experience but is particularly involved in pain research and research relating to the professions allied to medicine, especially podiatry.

She has made a major contribution to the development of research in the professions allied to medicine, being involved in this work at national level in occupational therapy, arts therapy, podiatry, physiotherapy and ambulance services as well as representing the interests of all AHPs on the Faculty Implementation Group of the National Institute for Health Research and within the Trent Research Development and Support Unit. She has considerable experience of research governance and sits as the external member of the Northampton General Hospital Research Governance sub-committee, having previously been the statistician member of an NHS Research Ethics Committee. She is the Chair of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Research Ethics Committee.

She has a substantial publications record, publishing in journals relating to medicine, physiology, nursing, podiatry, computing, occupational therapy and psychiatry amongst others and has presented her work at many prestigious international conferences. She is a member of the International Advisory Board of The Foot (International Journal of Foot Science) and is a referee for many journals and grant-awarding bodies.

Recent publications

These include:
  1. Campbell JA. Modelling deterioration of foot health in older people following discharge from NHS podiatry services. The Foot. 2007;17(2): 76-83.
  2. Campbell JA. Designing a podiatry service to meet the needs of the population: a service simulation. Australian Health Review. 2007;31(1):63-72.
  3. Vernon W and Campbell J. The establishment of an ultra-long-term plan for podiatry research. British Journal of Podiatry. 2006;9(3):72-76.
  4. Curran MJ, Rugg G and Campbell J. Would podiatrists benefit from an expert system for clinical diagnosis and reasoning? A study using laddering. The Foot. 2006;16(2):71-75.
  5. Curran MJ, Campbell J and Rugg G. An investigation into the clinical reasoning of both expert and novice podiatrists. The Foot. 2006;16(1):28-32.
  6. Campbell JA. Characteristics of the foot health of 'low risk' older people: a principal components analysis of foot health measures. The Foot. 2006; 16(1):44-50.
  7. Prince K, Campbell JA, Picton P and Turner SJ, A computational model simulating how pain modulation can occur through transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in Computer Science and Information Systems, Petratos P and Michalopoulos D (Eds). 2005: pp15-32, Pub ATINER: Athens (ISBN 960-88672-3-1).
  8. Campbell JA, Corr S and Jones R. Effective reporting of quantitative data. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2005; 68(11): 495-500.
  9. Jones R, Campbell JA, Lindsey L, Hanks C, McMullan M, Evans J and Cooke M. Best Foot Forward: Older people and foot care. 2005: pp44, Help the Aged (ISBN 1-904528-97-X).
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This text on this page was last updated on 25 Jun 2007.