An integrated Biopsychosocial approach to understanding physical activity patterns in people living with chronic low back pain

This is a full-time, self-funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is open to both home and overseas students.

PROJECT CONTACT

Dr Andy Sanderson (a.sanderson@mmu.ac.uk)

PROJECT ADVERT

Chronic, non-specific low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability globally. CLBP is believed to be maintained by a combination of biopsychosocial factors – where pain is influenced by biological, psychological and social elements. Rehabilitation approaches rely on this biopsychosocial framework. However, limited research has investigated how all three elements affect the way in which people with CLBP approach simple tasks.

This study will allow individuals with CLBP to modify the weight lifted in a repeated lifting task; and aims to investigate the decision-making process underlying their alterations, and the impact of these changes on biological and pain outcomes. Before and after the task, participants will be asked about things that act as barriers and facilitators to completing the task, their decision-making processes around lifting, and how this is influenced by their views on social norms surrounding CLBP. A range of biological, psychological and social approaches will be used to comprehensively investigate how these factors influence task performance.

A successful candidate will work with experts in chronic pain at the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport and collaborate with leading researchers across the globe. The results of this project will underpin the development of novel rehabilitation approaches to improve pain-related outcomes.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This project aims to apply an integrated biopsychosocial approach to understand the influence of CLBP on decision-making and the performance of a functional lifting task. Within this broad aim, there are several key objectives which relate to individual studies within the PhD program:

• Investigate the influence of personality type on the selected lifting approach
• Investigate the decision-making process for selecting a lifting approach using eye gaze tracking
• Investigate the influence of a chosen lifting approach on muscle activity using high-density electromyography
• Qualitatively investigate the individual lifting priorities, barriers to lifting, and perceptions of social norms which might influence the choice of lifting approach

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

The ideal candidate will have a degree in a field related to sport and exercise sciences, kinesiology, physiotherapy or psychology; a master’s degree will be looked favourably on, but is not essential.

Lab experience and prior experience collecting data, using one of the key methods in this project, are both desirable.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Andy Sanderson for an informal discussion.

Associated project costs (in addition to fees) will be £2,000 or £5,000 a year depending on the nature of the finalised project; this has no bearing on the review of the applicants. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal /Narrative CV form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Closing date: 15 July 2024.

Expected start date October 2024

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AS-2024-Chronic-back-pain