NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Overview
David M. Klyne PhD, MSc (MolBiol), DPhty, BAppSc) is a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Fulbright Scholar within the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health. There he leads an international team that probe the bio-psycho-social mechanisms that underlie physiological and pathological pain. His niche is in understanding the neuro-immune pathways involved and how they can be targeted with interventions using a blend of basic and clinical sciences and his skills and knowledge gained through his four degrees – neuro-immunology (PhD), molecular biology (Master), physiotherapy (Doctorate) and applied sciences (Bachelor).
David has received numerous national and international research awards that span basic and clinical sciences. These include the premier international award for spine research (ISSLS Prize) on two occasions – in Basic Science (2019) and Clinical Science (2018). In 2019, he was awarded a postdoctoral Fulbright Fellowship to continue his work elucidating the role of sleep in chronic pain at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Temple University), in the USA. He was also one of ten Australian scientists to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in 2019 and again in 2023, and has received more than $100K in research prize money and $15 million in research funding.
Research Interests
- Acute to chronic pain
- Neuro-immunology
- Sleep
- Chronic pain prevention and rehabilitation
Research Impacts
Klyne's research has attracted 15M ($6M as CIA/PI) from local, national and international funding bodies, been adopted by the world’s leading forum on pain (IASP) in the form of an online Fact Sheet (2021; >50K online visits), informed clinical guidelines and policies relating to the management of pain (e.g., American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists), and formed the basis of a chapter in one of the world’s leading physiotherapy textbooks – Grieve's (2024). His reputation is exemplified by his >40 national/international presentations (>20 funded invited and/or Keynote) and invitations to provide expertise on global matters such as at the 2019 Opioid Epidemic Consortium in Kentucky, USA. The significance of Klyne's program of research to the broader public is evidenced by features in the media, including 9 News Australia (interview), the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Academy of Science. In 2021, 9 News released a mini-documentary about Klyne's workon sleep and pain, which ranked in the top 5 stories nationally on NineMSN. From this program of work, Klyne is consitently ranked in the top 1% of experts globally in back pain (Expertscape).
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy Studies, Bond University
- Bachelor of Applied Science
Publications
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Journal Article: Is sleep the new treatment for pain? Two issues need resolving before deciding
Klyne, David M and Hall, Michelle (2024). Is sleep the new treatment for pain? Two issues need resolving before deciding. SLEEP. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsae089
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Journal Article: Poor lumbar spine coordination in acute low back pain predicts persistent long-term pain and disability
Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M., van Dieën, Jaap H., Cholewicki, Jacek and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Poor lumbar spine coordination in acute low back pain predicts persistent long-term pain and disability. European Spine Journal. doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08205-w
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Journal Article: Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury
Klyne, David M., Hilliard, Brendan A., Harris, Michele Y., Amin, Mamta, Hall, Michelle, Besomi, Manuela, Mustafa, Sanam, Farrell, Scott F., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Han, Felicity Y., Hodges, Paul W., Frara, Nagat and Barbe, Mary F. (2024). Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35 100714, 100714. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714
Grants
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The role of sleep, physical activity and central sensitisation in chronic back pain development
(2024–2028) NHMRC Investigator Grants
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PRioRTI: PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury
(2023–2028) NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
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What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed?
(2022–2027) United States National Institutes of Health
Supervision
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Disentangling the relationship between sleep, stress and pain.
Doctor Philosophy
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Relationship between motor control of the trunk and recurrence/persistence of low back pain
Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
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Disentangling the relationship between sleep and pain
We are seeking PhD students with a background in biomedical and/or rehabilitative sciences to join our team to contribute to a body of work that aims to identify if and how sleep influences pain. Projects will involve the measurement and analysis of sleep in the “real world” to understand how daily variations in sleep – one of the most important, yet modifiable health behaviors – drive the day-to-day “waxing and waning” of back pain. The work will involve a multidisciplinary team to address this challenging issue.
Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in biomedical science, physiotherapy or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; knowledge of pain physiology; experience with statistical programs for data analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.
Publications
Journal Article
-
Is sleep the new treatment for pain? Two issues need resolving before deciding
Klyne, David M and Hall, Michelle (2024). Is sleep the new treatment for pain? Two issues need resolving before deciding. SLEEP. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsae089
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Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M., van Dieën, Jaap H., Cholewicki, Jacek and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Poor lumbar spine coordination in acute low back pain predicts persistent long-term pain and disability. European Spine Journal. doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08205-w
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Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury
Klyne, David M., Hilliard, Brendan A., Harris, Michele Y., Amin, Mamta, Hall, Michelle, Besomi, Manuela, Mustafa, Sanam, Farrell, Scott F., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Han, Felicity Y., Hodges, Paul W., Frara, Nagat and Barbe, Mary F. (2024). Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35 100714, 100714. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714
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Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, Alzahrani, Hosam, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M., Vette, Albert H., Hendershot, Brad D., Roberts, Brad W. R., Larivière, Christian, Barbado, David, Vera-Garcia, Francisco J., van Dieen, Jaap H., Cholewicki, Jacek, Nussbaum, Maury A., Madigan, Michael L., Reeves, Norman Peter, Silfies, Sheri P., Brown, Stephen H. M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Trunk postural control during unstable sitting among individuals with and without low back pain: A systematic review with an individual participant data meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 19 (1) e0296968, e0296968. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296968
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Coordination of hip and spine in individuals with acute low back pain during unstable sitting
Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2023). Coordination of hip and spine in individuals with acute low back pain during unstable sitting. The Spine Journal. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.12.001
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Low back pain and osteoarthritis pain: a perspective of estrogen
Pang, Huiwen, Chen, Shihui, Klyne, David M., Harrich, David, Ding, Wenyuan, Yang, Sidong and Han, Felicity Y. (2023). Low back pain and osteoarthritis pain: a perspective of estrogen. Bone Research, 11 (1) 42, 42. doi: 10.1038/s41413-023-00280-x
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Hall, Michelle, Dobson, Fiona, Klyne, David Murray, Zheng, Carmen Jiamin, Lima, Yuri Lopes and Egorova-Brumley, Natalia (2023). Neurobiology of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 12442. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39245-9
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Plinsinga, Melanie Louise, Vuvan, Viana, Maclachlan, Liam, Klyne, David, Graven-Nielsen, Thomas, Vicenzino, Bill, Hodges, Paul and Bjarke Vaegter, Henrik (2023). Pain-related cognitions and emotional distress are not associated with conditioned pain modulation: an explorative analysis of 1142 participants with acute, subacute, and chronic pain. Pain, 164 (7), 1593-1599. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002864
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Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal and widespread pain
Farrell, Scott F., Sterling, Michele, Klyne, David M., Mustafa, Sanam, Campos, Adrián I., Kho, Pik-Fang, Lundberg, Mischa, Rentería, Miguel E., Ngo, Trung Thanh and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2023). Genetic impact of blood C-reactive protein levels on chronic spinal and widespread pain. European Spine Journal, 32 (6), 2078-2085. doi: 10.1007/s00586-023-07711-7
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Lima, Yuri Lopes, Lee, Hopin, Klyne, David M., Dobson, Fiona L., Hinman, Rana S., Bennell, Kim L. and Hall, Michelle (2023). How do nonsurgical interventions improve pain and physical function in people with osteoarthritis? A scoping review of mediation analysis studies. Arthritis Care and Research, 75 (3), 467-481. doi: 10.1002/acr.24983
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Hall, M., Dobson, F., Klyne, D., Zheng, C., Lima, Y. and Egorova-Brumley, N. (2023). Neurobiology Of Osteoarthritis - A Systematic Review And Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-Analysis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 31, S380. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.01.431
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Hall, Michelle, Allison, Kim, Hinman, Rana S., Bennell, Kim L., Spiers, Libby, Knox, Gabrielle, Plinsinga, Melanie, Klyne, David M., McManus, Fiona, Lamb, Karen E., Da Costa, Ricardo, Murphy, Nicholas J. and Dobson, Fiona L. (2022). Effects of adding aerobic physical activity to strengthening exercise on hip osteoarthritis symptoms: protocol for the PHOENIX randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23 (1) 361. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05282-0
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Balance control in unstable sitting in individuals with an acute episode of low back pain
van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Meroni, Roberto, Klyne, David M., Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Balance control in unstable sitting in individuals with an acute episode of low back pain. Gait and Posture, 95, 15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.03.014
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Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Postural control of the trunk in individuals with and without low back pain during unstable sitting: A protocol for a systematic review with an individual participant data meta-analysis. PLoS One, 17 (5) e0268381, 1-14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268381
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Risk factors for low back pain outcome: Does it matter when they are measured?
Klyne, David Murray, Hall, Leanne Marie, Nicholas, Michael K. and Hodges, Paul William (2022). Risk factors for low back pain outcome: Does it matter when they are measured?. European Journal of Pain, 26 (4), 835-854. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1911
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Klyne, David M., Barbe, Mary F. and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Relationship between systemic inflammation and recovery over 12 months after an acute episode of low back pain. The Spine Journal, 22 (2), 214-225. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.09.006
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Klyne, David M., Barbe, Mary F., James, Greg and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Does the interaction between local and systemic inflammation provide a link from psychology and lifestyle to tissue health in musculoskeletal conditions?. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (14) 7299, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/ijms22147299
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Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Coordination of hip and spine to maintain equilibrium in unstable sitting revealed by spectral analysis. Journal of Neurophysiology, 125 (5), 1814-1824. doi: 10.1152/jn.00555.2020
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Cohort profile: why do people keep hurting their back?
Klyne, David M., van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Barbe, Mary F., Cholewicki, Jacek, M. Hall, Leanne, Khan, Asaduzzaman, Meroni, Roberto, Moseley, G. Lorimer, Nicholas, Michael, O’Sullivan, Lee, Park, Rachel, Russell, Glen, Sterling, Michele and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Cohort profile: why do people keep hurting their back?. BMC Research Notes, 13 (1) 538, 538. doi: 10.1186/s13104-020-05356-z
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Trunk stiffness decreases and trunk damping increases with experimental low back pain
van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Cholewicki, Jacek, Coppieters, Michel W., Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Trunk stiffness decreases and trunk damping increases with experimental low back pain. Journal of Biomechanics, 112 110053, 110053. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110053
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Barbe, Mary F., Hilliard, Brendan A., Amin, Mamta, Harris, Michele Y., Hobson, Lucas J., Cruz, Geneva E., Dorotan, Jocelynne T., Paul, Ryan W., Klyne, David M. and Popoff, Steven N. (2020). Blocking CTGF/CCN2 reverses neural fibrosis and sensorimotor declines in a rat model of overuse-induced median mononeuropathy. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 38 (11) jor.24709, 2396-2408. doi: 10.1002/jor.24709
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Circulating adipokines in predicting the transition from acute to persistent low back pain
Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Circulating adipokines in predicting the transition from acute to persistent low back pain. Pain Medicine, 21 (11), 2975-2985. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa052
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Smith, Tianqi Tenchi Gao, Barr-Gillespie, Ann E, Klyne, David M, Harris, Michelle Y, Amin, Mamta, Paul, Ryan W, Cruz, Geneva E, Zhao, Huaqing, Gallagher, Sean and Barbe, Mary F (2020). Forced treadmill running reduces systemic inflammation yet worsens upper limb discomfort in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21 (1) 57, 57. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-3085-z
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Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2019). Letter to the editor concerning “Multiple confounders influence the association between low-grade systemic inflammation and musculoskeletal pain. A call for a prudent interpretation of the literature” by Schipholt et al. Spine Journal, 19 (11), 1899-1900. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2019.06.011
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Are signs of central sensitisation in acute low back pain a precursor to poor outcome?
Klyne, David M., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Sterling, Michele, Barbe, Mary F. and Hodges, Paul W. (2019). Are signs of central sensitisation in acute low back pain a precursor to poor outcome?. The Journal of Pain, 20 (8), 994-1009. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.03.001
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James, G., Klyne, D. M., Millecamps, M., Stone, L. S. and Hodges, P. W. (2019). ISSLS Prize in Basic science 2019: physical activity attenuates fibrotic alterations to the multifidus muscle associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. European Spine Journal, 28 (5), 893-904. doi: 10.1007/s00586-019-05902-9
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Klyne, David M., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Sterling, Michele, Barbe, Mary F. and Hodges, Paul W. (2018). Individual variation in pain sensitivity and conditioned pain modulation in acute low back pain: impact of stimulus type, sleep, psychological and lifestyle factors. The Journal of Pain, 19 (8), 942.e1-942.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.02.017
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Klyne, David M., Barbe, Mary F, van den Hoorn, Wolbert and Hodges, Paul W. (2018). ISSLS Prize in clinical science 2018: Longitudinal analysis of inflammatory, psychological, and sleep-related factors following an acute low back pain episode-the good, the bad, and the ugly. European Spine Journal, 27 (4), 763-777. doi: 10.1007/s00586-018-5490-7
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Klyne, David M., Barbe, Mary F. and Hodges, Paul W. (2017). Systemic inflammatory profiles and their relationships with demographic, behavioural and clinical features in acute low back pain. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 60, 84-92. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.10.003
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Effect of types and anatomical arrangement of painful stimuli on conditioned pain modulation
Klyne, David M., Schmid, Annina B., Moseley, G. Lorimer, Sterling, Michele and Hodges Paul W. (2015). Effect of types and anatomical arrangement of painful stimuli on conditioned pain modulation. Journal of Pain, 16 (2), 176-185. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.11.005
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Klyne, David M., Keays, Susan L., Bullock-Saxton, Joanne E. and Newcombe, Peter A. (2012). The effect of anterior cruciate ligament rupture on the timing and amplitude of gastrocnemius muscle activation: A study of alterations in EMG measures and their relationship to knee joint stability. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 22 (3), 446-455. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2012.01.013
Conference Publication
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Hall, M., Dobson, F., Klyne, D., Zheng, C., Lima, Y. and Egorova-Brumley, N. (2023). Neurobiology of Osteoarthritis - A Systematic Review and Activation Likelihood Estimation Meta-analysis. World Congress of Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), Denver, CO United States, 17-20 March 2023. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
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Uncovering the role of sleep and exercise in the transition from acute to persistent pain
Klyne, D.M., Hilliard, B., Harris, M., Amin, M., Testa, C., Hobson, L., Cruz, G., Hodges, P.W. and Barbe, M.F. (2021). Uncovering the role of sleep and exercise in the transition from acute to persistent pain. Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society's 27th Annual Meeting, Online, 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.08.099
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Klyne, D. M. (2019). Longitudinal analysis of inflammatory, psychological, and sleep-related factors following an acute low back pain episode—the good, the bad, and the ugly. PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society's 25th Annual Scientific Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, United States, 6-9 June 2018. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.11.244
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Klyne, David, Barbe, Mary, Van Den Hoorn, Wolbert and Hodges, Paul (2018). Longitudinal analysis of inflammatory, psychological, and sleep-related factors following an acute low back pain episode: a potential factor in tissue effects in low back pain. 5th International Fascia Research Congress, Berlin, Germany, 14-15 November 2018. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.09.056
Other Outputs
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Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah , van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Supplemental Data for "Coordination of hip and spine to maintain equilibrium in unstable sitting revealed by spectral analysis" paper. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/c3f49b3
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Biological factors in the transition from acute to persistent low back pain
Klyne, David Murray (2018). Biological factors in the transition from acute to persistent low back pain. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.468
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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The role of sleep, physical activity and central sensitisation in chronic back pain development
(2024–2028) NHMRC Investigator Grants
-
PRioRTI: PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury
(2023–2028) NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
-
What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed?
(2022–2027) United States National Institutes of Health
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(2021–2026) Temple University
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Understanding Acute to Chronic Back Pain Pathways and Testing New Solutions
(2020–2024) United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Disentangling the relationship between sleep, stress and pain.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Relationship between motor control of the trunk and recurrence/persistence of low back pain
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
-
Disentangling the relationship between sleep and pain
We are seeking PhD students with a background in biomedical and/or rehabilitative sciences to join our team to contribute to a body of work that aims to identify if and how sleep influences pain. Projects will involve the measurement and analysis of sleep in the “real world” to understand how daily variations in sleep – one of the most important, yet modifiable health behaviors – drive the day-to-day “waxing and waning” of back pain. The work will involve a multidisciplinary team to address this challenging issue.
Essential criteria: An undergraduate degree with first or second class division 1 Honours in biomedical science, physiotherapy or a related discipline; eligibility for admission to the PhD program at The University of Queensland; knowledge of pain physiology; experience with statistical programs for data analysis; excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.
