Professor Deborah Falla BPhty(Hons), PhD

Professor Deborah Falla

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Rehabilitation & Motor Control Theme Lead
Chair in Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy
Director, Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain

Contact details

Telephone
+44 (0)121 41 47253
Email
d.falla@bham.ac.uk
Twitter
@Deb_Falla
View my research portal
Address
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Professor Falla is an expert in rehabilitation science and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her research utilises state of the art electrophysiological measures to evaluate the control of human movement and how it is affected or adapted in response to various states including pain, injury, fatigue and training. Her research interests also include optimising the management of musculoskeletal conditions with a particular interest in neck pain, low back pain, whiplash and headache.

Qualifications

BPhty (First Class Honors) - Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Australia
PhD - Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Australia

Previous Positions

  • 2003 – 2005 Research Officer, Department of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, Australia
  • 2005 – 2007 Assistant Professor, Centre for Sensorimotor Interaction, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
  • 2007 – 2011 Associate Professor, Centre for Sensorimotor Interaction, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
  • 2011  - 2016 Professor, Center for Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine and the Institute for Neurorehabilitation Systems, Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, University Hospital Göttingen, Germany,

Biography

Deborah Falla received her PhD in Physiotherapy from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2003. In 2005 she was awarded Fellowships from the International Association for the Study of Pain and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia to undertake postdoctoral research at the Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Denmark. From 2007 to 2010 she was an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark and from 2012 to 2016 she was a Professor at the Center for Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine and Institute for Neurorehabilitation Systems, University Hospital Göttingen, Germany.

Since April 2016, Professor Falla is Chair in Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. Professor Falla is also the Director of the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine) which was established at the University of Birmingham in 2016 following a ~£1M investment. She is also a Senior PI for the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (SRMRC) (£6 million received for 2016 –2019). 

Her research utilises state of the art electrophysiological measures to evaluate the control of human movement and how it is affected or adapted in response to various states (e.g. injury, fatigue, training, pain). Her research interests also include optimising management of musculoskeletal conditions with a particular interest in spinal pain. She has published over 145 papers in international, peer-reviewed journals, more than 100 conference papers/abstracts including 30 invited/keynote lectures. Moreover, Professor Falla has delivered over 100 invited post-graduate workshops on the management of spinal pain to health care practitioners in over 20 countries ensuring translation of her research to the benefit of the patient. 

She has received several recognitions and awards for her work including the German Pain Research Prize in 2014, the George J. Davies - James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award in 2009 and the Delsys Prize for Electromyography Innovation in 2004. Professor Falla is an author of the book entitled “Whiplash, Headache and Neck Pain: Research Based Directions for Physical Therapies” and is co-editor of the 4th Edition of “Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy”; a core textbook of evidence-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders which brings together the latest state-of-the-art research.

Professor Falla acts as an Associate Editor for Musculoskeletal Science & Practice (formerly Manual Therapy) and the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. Since 2016, she is President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK). 

Teaching

Teaching Experience / Topics

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Physiotherapy. Topics: Manual Therapy, Pain (Physiology and Assessment), Spine (Anatomy) , Therapeutic Exercise, Electrophysiology

Undergraduate Medicine. Topics: Upper and Lower Limb (Functional Anatomy, Injury and Rehabilitation), Electrophysiology. Facilitator Case Base Learning: Disease processes, nutrition, metabolism, disease and excretion, musculoskeletal and nervous systems, excretion and homeostasis, cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Organizer and teacher of PhD courses on the neurophysiology of human movement, motor control, motor learning, motor adaptations to pain and training

Semester Coordinator Medicine: Musculoskeletal and Nervous Systems and Psychological Health

Masters in Orthobionics. Topic: Research methodology, clinical trials

Professor Falla has delivered over 90 Invited Postgraduate Courses on the management of neck pain, whiplash and headache to health care practitioners in over 20 countries

Postgraduate supervision

Professor Falla is interested in supervising doctoral research students in the following areas:

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, low back pain, neck pain, whiplash associated disorders, headache, muscle fatigue, neuromuscular adaptations to training, mechanisms underlying motor adaptations to pain, efficacy of physiotherapy interventions for musculoskeletal pain

If you are interesting in studying any of these subject areas please contact Deborah on the contact details above.

Research

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, low back pain, neck pain, whiplash associated disorders, headache, muscle fatigue, neuromuscular adaptations to training, mechanisms underlying motor adaptations to pain, efficacy of physiotherapy interventions for musculoskeletal pain.

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Deborah_Falla

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=XDsMg4YAAAAJ&hl=en

Other activities

  • Since 2016  Associate Editor of the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology (Elsevier)
  • Since 2015  Visiting Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland                         
  • Since 2014  Vice President of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK)
  • 2010:  Congress Chair: XVIII Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, 2010, Aalborg, Denmark
  • Since 2010  Council member of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK)
  • Since 2008  Associate Editor of Manual Therapy (Elsevier)
  • Since 2006  Member of the Society for Neuroscience
  • Since 2004  Member of the International Association for the Study of Pain
  • Since 2004  Member of the International Society for Electromyography and Kinesiology

Publications

List of Published Books (2)

  1. Jull G, Sterling M, Falla D, Treleaven J, O’Leary S.Whiplash, Headache and Neck Pain: Research Based Directions for Physical Therapies. Elsevier, Edinburgh, 2008
  2. Jull G, Moore A, Falla D, Lewis J, McCarthy C, Sterling M. Grieves Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (4th Ed). Elsevier. Edinburgh, 2015

List of Book Chapters  (15)

  1. Jull G, Falla D. Neck Pain.In: Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine. 5th Edition, Mcgraw-Hill, 2017
  2. Gallina A., Gazzoni M., Falla D., Merletti R. EMG biofeedback. In: Merletti R, Farina D (Eds). Electromyography: Physiology, Engineering, and Non-Invasive Applications. 2nd Edition. Wiley-IEEE Press, 2016
  3. Falla D. Applications in musculoskeletal physical therapy. In: Merletti R, Farina D (Eds). Electromyography: Physiology, Engineering, and Non-Invasive Applications. 2nd Edition. Wiley-IEEE Press, 2016
  4. Falla D, Jull G. Reorganized motor and sensorimotor control in whiplash: implications for training. In: Kasch H, Turk D, Jensen TS. Whiplash Injury: A model for the development of chronic pain. IASP Press, 2015
  5. Hodges P, Falla D. Interaction between pain and sensorimotor control. In: Jull, G, Moore A, Falla D, Lewis J, McCarthy, C, Sterling M. Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 4th Edition, Elsevier UK, 2015
  6. Falla D, Whiteley R, Cardinale M, Hodges PW. Therapeutic exercise: clinical prescription. In: Jull, G, Moore A, Falla D, Lewis J, McCarthy, C, Sterling M. Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 4th Edition, Elsevier UK, 2015
  7. Falla D, Farina D. Advances in measurement methods: EMG. In: Jull, G, Moore A, Falla D, Lewis J, McCarthy, C, Sterling M. Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 4th Edition, Elsevier UK, 2015
  8. Falla D.  Neck pain and sensorimotor control. In: Casser, Hasenbring, Becker, Baron: Rückenschmerzen und Nackenschmerz aus interdisziplinärer Sicht, 1. Auflage. Springer Medizin, Heidelberg, 2015
  9. Hodges P, Schabrun S, Falla D. Reorganized Motor-Control at Spinal and Cortical Level in Neck and Low Back Pain. In: Arendt-Nielsen L, Graven-Nielsen T (Eds) Musculoskeletal pain – basic mechanisms and implications. Seattle: IASP Press, 2015
  10. Falla D, Jull G. Neuromuscular adaptations in neck pain and the role of training in rehabilitation. In: Röijezon U (Ed). Motor control and motor learning in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. Studentlitteratur, Sweden, 2015
  11. Falla D,Elliott J, Jull G.Neuromuscular Dysfunction in Whiplash Associated Disorders. In: Sterling M, Kennardy J. Whiplash: evidence base for clinical practice. Elsevier, 2010
  12. Falla D. Motor impairment in cervicogenic headache. In: Fernández de las Peñas C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Gerwin R. (Eds) Diagnosis and Management of tension type and cervicogenic headache. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, USA, 2009
  13. Falla D. Neuromuscular control of the cervical spine in neck pain disorders. In: Graven-Nielsen T, Arendt-Nielsen L, Mense S (Eds) Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Pain. Seattle : IASP Press, 417-430, 2008
  14. Falla D. Muscle deficits in neck pain disorders: Implications for the rehabilitation of people with neck pain. In: Torres Cueco R (Ed) Sindromes articulares cervicales y tratamiento manipulativo. Panamericana (In Spanish), 2008
  15. Jull G, Falla D, Treleaven J, Sterling M, O’Leary S. A therapeutic exercise approach for cervical disorders.  In Boyling J, Jull G (Eds) Grieve’s Modern Manual Therapy: The Vertebral Column.  3rd edn., Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 2005

Peer-reviewed Papers in International Journals (146)

  1. Falla D, Hodges PW. Individualized Exercise Interventions for Spinal Pain. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2017 Jan 13. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000103. [Epub ahead of print]
  2. Dieterich A, Botter A, Martins Vieira T, Peolsson A, Petzke F, Davey P, Falla D. Spatial variation and inconsistency between estimates of onset of muscle activation from EMG and ultrasound. Sci Rep. In Press
  3. Martinez-Valdes E, Falla D, Negro F, Mayer F, Farina D. Differential motor unit changes after endurance or high-intensity interval training. Med Sci Sport Ex. In Press
  4. Testa M, Geri T, Gizzi L, Falla D. High-density EMG reveals novel evidence of altered masseter muscle activity during symmetrical and asymmetrical bilateral jaw clenching tasks in people with chronic non-specific neck pain. Clin J Pain, 2017 Feb;33(2):148-159.
  5. Martinez-Valdes E, Negro F, Laine CM, Falla D, Mayer F, Farina D. Tracking motor units longitudinally across experimental sessions with high-density surface electromyography. J Physiol. 2016 Dec 28. doi: 10.1113/JP273662. [Epub ahead of print]
  6. Dieterich AV, Andrade RJ, Le Sant G, Falla D, Petzke F, Hug F, Nordez A. Shear wave elastography reveals different degrees of passive and active stiffness of the neck extensor muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2016 Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print]
  7. Barbero M, Falla D, Clijsen R, Ghirlanda F, Schneebeli A, Ernst MJ, Cescon C. Can parameters of the helical axis be measured reliably during active cervical movements? Man Ther. 2016 Oct 21. pii: S1356-689X(16)30752-4. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.10.008. [Epub ahead of print]
  8. Martinez-Valdes E, Guzman-Venegas RA, Silvestre RA, Macdonald JH, Falla D, Araneda OF, Haichelis D. Electromyographic adjustments during continuous and intermittent incremental fatiguing cycling. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2016 Nov;26(11):1273-1282. doi: 10.1111/sms.12578.
  9. Barbero M, Falla D, Cescon C. The Location of Peak Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity During Submaximal Contractions is Not Associated with the Location of Myofascial Trigger Points: New Insights Revealed by High Density Surface EMG. Clin J Pain. 2016 Sep 10. In Press
  10. Halvorsen M, Falla D, Gizzi L, Harms-Ringdahl K, Peolsson A, Dedering Å. Short- and long-term effects of exercise on neck muscle function in cervical radiculopathy: A randomized clinical trial. J Rehabil Med. 2016 Oct 5;48(8):696-704.
  11. Cerezo-Téllez E, Torres-Lacomba M, Fuentes-Gallardo I, Perez-Muñoz M, Mayoral-Del-Moral O, Lluch-Girbés E, Prieto-Valiente L, Falla D. Effectiveness of dry needling for chronic nonspecific neck pain: a randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial. Pain. 2016 Sep;157(9):1905-17.
  12. Crawford RJ, Gizzi L, Mhuiris ÁN, Falla D. Are regions of the lumbar multifidus differentially activated during walking at varied speed and inclination? J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2016 Oct;30:177-83.
  13. Gram M, Erlenwein J, Petzke F, Falla D, Przemeck M, Emons MI, Reuster M, Olesen SS, Drewes AM. Prediction of postoperative opioid analgesia using clinical-experimental parameters and electroencephalography. Eur J Pain. 2016 Jul 29. doi: 10.1002/ejp.921. [Epub ahead of print]
  14. Jull G, Falla D. Does increased superficial neck flexor activity in the craniocervical flexion test reflect reduced deep flexor activity in people with neck pain? Man Ther. 2016 Sep;25:43-7.
  15. Florencio LL, Oliveira AS, Lemos TW, Carvalho GF, Dach F, Bigal ME, Falla D, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Bevilaqua-Grossi D. Patients with chronic, but not episodic, migraine display altered activity of their neck extensor muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2016 Oct;30:66-72.
  16. Florencio LL, Ferracini GN, Chaves TC, Palacios-Ceña M, Ordás-Bandera C, Speciali JG, Falla D, Grossi DB, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. Active Trigger Points in the Cervical Musculature Determine Altered Activation of Superficial Neck and Extensor Muscles in Women with Migraine. Clin J Pain. 2016 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]
  17. Dideriksen JL, Holobar A, Falla D. Preferential distribution of nociceptive input to motoneurons with muscle units in the cranial portion of the upper trapezius muscle. J Neurophysiol. 2016 Aug 1;116(2):611-8.
  18. Falla D, Peolsson A, Peterson G, Ludvigsson ML, Soldini E, Schneebeli A, Barbero M. Perceived pain extent is associated with disability, depression and self-efficacy in individuals with whiplash-associated disorders. Eur J Pain. 2016 Oct;20(9):1490-501.
  19. Luedtke, K, Boissonnault, W, Caspersen N, Castien, R,  Chaibi, A, Falla D, Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C.; Hall, T,  Hirsvang, J.R, Horre, T, Hurley, D.; Jull, G.; Krøll, L.S, Madsen, B.K. 4; Mallwitz, J.; Miller, C.; Schäfer, B, Schöttker-Königer, T.; Starke, W.; von Piekartz, H.; Watson , D.; Westerhuis, P.; May, A.International consensus on the most useful physical examination tests used by physiotherapists for patients with headache: A Delphi study. Man Ther. 2016 Jun;23:17-24.
  20. Barbero M, Falla D, Mafodda L, Cescon C, Gatti R. The Location of Peak Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity During Submaximal Contractions is not Associated With the Location of Myofascial Trigger Points: New Insights Revealed by High-density Surface EMG. Clin J Pain. 2016 Apr 22. [Epub ahead of print]
  21. Piancino MG, Falla D, Merlo A, Vallelonga T, de Biase C, Dalessandri D, Debernardi C. Effects of therapy on masseter activity and chewing kinematics in patients with unilateral posterior crossbite. Arch Oral Biol. 2016 Jul;67:61-7.
  22. Pecos-Martín D, de Melo Aroeira AE, Verás Silva RL, Martínez de Tejada Pozo G, Rodríguez Solano LM, Plaza-Manzano G, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Falla D. Immediate effects of thoracic spinal mobilisation on erector spinae muscle activity and pain in patients with thoracic spine pain: a preliminary randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy. 2015 Dec 12. pii: S0031-9406(15)03859-6. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.10.016. [Epub ahead of print]
  23. Leoni D, Falla D, Heitz C, Capra G, Clijsen R, Egloff M, Cescon C, Baeyens JP, Barbero M.Test-retest Reliability in Reporting the Pain Induced by a Pain Provocation Test: Further Validation of a Novel Approach for Pain Drawing Acquisition and Analysis. Pain Pract. 2016 Mar 15. doi: 10.1111/papr.12429. [Epub ahead of print]
  24. Espi-Lopez GV, Zurriaga-Llorens R, Monzani L, Falla D. The effect of manipulation plus massage therapy versus massage therapy alone in people with tension-type headache. a randomized controlled clinical trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2016 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]
  25. Christiansen DH, Frost P, Frich LH, Falla D, Svendsen SW. The Use of Physiotherapy among Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Impact of Sex, Socio-Demographic and Clinical Factors. PLoS One. 2016 Mar 8;11(3):e0151077. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151077. eCollection 2016.
  26. Lluch Girbés E, Dueñas L, Barbero M, Falla D, Baert IA, Meeus M, Sánchez-Frutos J, Aguilella L, Nijs J. Expanded Distribution of Pain as a Sign of Central Sensitization in Individuals With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Phys Ther. 2016 Aug;96(8):1196-207.
  27. Espi-Lopez GV, Rodríguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Á, Molina-Martinez FJ, Falla D. Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2016 Aug;52(4):447-56.
  28. Christiansen DH, Frost P, Falla D, Haahr JP, Frich LH, Andrea LC, Svendsen SW. Effectiveness of Standardized Physical Therapy Exercises for Patients With Difficulty Returning to Usual Activities After Decompression Surgery for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2016 Jun;96(6):787-96
  29. Martinez-Valdes E, Laine CM, Falla D, Mayer F, Farina D. High-density surface electromyography provides reliable estimates of motor unit behavior. Clin Neurophysiol. 2016 Jun;127(6):2534-41
  30. Izquierdo TG, Pecos-Martin D, Girbés EL, Plaza-Manzano G, Caldentey R, Rodríguez Melús RM, Mariscal DB, Falla D. Comparison of cranio-cervical flexion training versus cervical proprioception training in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Rehabil Med. 2016 Jan;48(1):48-55
  31. Vila-Chã C, Falla D. Strength training, but not endurance training, reduces motor unit discharge rate variability. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2016 Feb;26:88-93.
  32. Hedayatpour N, Falla D. Physiological and Neural Adaptations to Eccentric Exercise: Mechanisms and Considerations for Training. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:193741.
  33. Testa M Geri T, Gizzi L, Petzke F, Falla D. Alterations in Masticatory Muscle Activation in People with Persistent Neck Pain Despite the Absence of Orofacial Pain or Temporomandibular Disorders. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2015 Fall;29(4):340-8.
  34. Peterson G, Nilsson D, Trygg J, Falla D, Dedering Å, Wallman T, Peolsson A.  Novel insights into the interplay between ventral neck muscles in individuals with whiplash-associated disorders. Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 16;5:15289
  35. Erlenwein J, Przemeck M, Degenhart A, Budde S, Falla D, Quintel M, Pfingsten M, Petzke F The influence of chronic pain on post-operative pain and function after hip surgery: a prospective observational cohort study. J Pain. 2016 Feb;17(2):236-47.
  36. Martinez-Valdes E, Guzman-Venegas RA, Silvestre RA, Macdonald JH, Falla D, Araneda OF, Haichelis D. Electromyographic adjustments during continuous and intermittent incremental fatiguing cycling. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015 Oct 23. doi: 10.1111/sms.12578.
  37. Gizzi L, Muceli S, Petzke F, Falla D. Experimental muscle pain impairs the synergistic modular control of neck muscles. PLoS One 2015 10(9):e0137844.
  38. Laine CM, Martinez-Valdes E, Falla D, Mayer F, Farina D. Motor Neuron Pools of Synergistic Thigh Muscles Share Most of Their Synaptic Input. J Neurosci. 2015 Sep 2;35(35):12207-16.
  39. Brage K, Ris I, Falla D, Søgaard K, Juul-Kristensen B. Pain education combined with neck- and aerobic training is more effective at relieving chronic neck pain than pain education alone - A preliminary randomized controlled trial. Man Ther. 2015 Oct;20(5):686-93
  40. Christiansen DH, Frost P, Falla D, Haahr JP, Frich LH, Svendsen SW.  Responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Change: A Comparison Between 2 Shoulder Outcome Measures J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Aug;45(8):620-5
  41. Yavuz UŞ, Negro F, Falla D, Farina D. Experimental muscle pain increases variability of neural drive to muscle and decreases motor unit coherence in tremor frequency band. J Neurophysiol. 2015 Aug;114(2):1041-7
  42. Schomacher J, Erlenwein J, Dieterich A, Petzke F, Falla D. Can neck exercises enhance the activation of the semispinalis cervicis relative to the splenius capitis at specific spinal levels? Man Ther. 2015 Oct;20(5):694-702
  43. Dieterich A, Petzke F, Pickard C, Davey P, Falla D. Differentiation of gluteus medius and minimus activity in weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises by M-mode ultrasound imaging. Man Ther. 2015 Oct;20(5):715-22
  44. Ludvigsson ML, Petersen G, Dedering A, Falla D, Peolsson A. Factors associated with pain and disability reduction following exercise interventions in chronic whiplash. Eur J Pain 2015;In Press.
  45. Segarra V, Dueñas L, Torres R, Falla D, Jull G, Lluch E. Inter-and intra-tester reliability of a battery of cervical movement control dysfunction tests. Man Ther. 2015, In Press
  46. Christiansen D, Falla D, Frost P, Frich LH, Wulff Svendsen S. Physiotherapy after subacromial decompression surgery: development of a standardised exercise intervention. Physiotherapy, In Press
  47. Dieterich A, Petzke F, Pickard C, Davey P, Falla D. Differentiation of gluteus medius and minimus activity in weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises by m-mode ultrasound imaging. Man Ther, In Press
  48. Barbero M, Moresi F, Leoni D, Gatti R, Egloff M, Falla D. Test-retest reliability of pain extent and pain location using a novel method for pain drawing analysis. Eur J Pain, In Press
  49. Vaisy M, Gizzi L, Petzke F, Consmüller T, Pfingsten M, Falla D. Measurement of lumbar spine functional movement in low back pain. Clin J Pain, In Press
  50. Struyf F, Lluch E, Falla D, Meeus M, Noten S, Nijs J. Influence of shoulder pain on muscle function: implications for the assessment and therapy of shoulder disorders. Eur J Appl Physiol, 2015;115(2):225-34
  51. Jørgensen R, Ris I, Falla D, Juul-Kristensen B. Reliability, construct and discriminative validity of clinical testing in subjects with and without chronic neck pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2014; 4;15:408.
  52. Falla D, Gizzi L, Tschapek M, Erlenwein J, Petzke F. Reduced task-induced variations in the distribution of activity across back muscle regions in individuals with low back pain. Pain. 2014;155(5):944-53.
  53. Hedayatpour N, Falla D. Delayed onset of vastii muscle activity in response to rapid postural perturbations following eccentric exercise: a mechanism that underpins knee pain after eccentric exercise? Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(6):429-34.
  54. Muceli S, Falla D, Farina D. Reorganization of muscle synergies during multidirectional reaching in the horizontal plane with experimental muscle pain. J Neurophysiol. 2014;111(8):1615-30.
  55. Dideriksen JL, Gizzi L, Petzke F, Falla D. Deterministic accessory spinal movement in functional tasks characterizes individuals with low back pain. Clin Neurophysiol. 2014;125(8):1663-8.
  56. Hedayatpour N, Arendt-Nielsen L, Falla D. Facilitation of quadriceps activation is impaired following eccentric exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014 Apr;24(2):355-62
  57. Hassanlouei H, Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Kersting UG. The effect of six weeks endurance training on dynamic muscular control of the knee following fatiguing exercise. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2014;24(5):682-8
  58. Boudreau SA, Falla D. Chronic neck pain alters muscle activation patterns to sudden movements. Exp Brain Res. 2014 Jun;232(6):2011-20.
  59. Lluch E, Schomacher J, Gizzi L, Petzke F, Seegar D, Falla D. Immediate effects of active cranio-cervical flexion exercise versus passive mobilisation of the upper cervical spine on pain and performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test. Man Ther. 2014;19(1):25-31.
  60. Lluch E, Arguisuelas MD, Calvente Quesada O, Martínez Noguera E, Peiró Puchades M, Pérez Rodríguez JA, Falla D. Immediate Effects of Active Versus Passive Scapular Correction on Pain and Pressure Pain Threshold in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014;37(9):660-6
  61. Chiarotto A, Fortunato S, Falla D. Predictors of outcome following a short multimodal rehabilitation program for patients with whiplash associated disorders. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2014 Jun 4. [Epub ahead of print]
  62. Espí-López G, Rodríguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, Benítez-Martínez J, Lluch E, Falla D. The effect of manual therapy techniques on headache disability in patients with tension-type headache. Randomized controlled trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2014 Dec;50(6):641-7
  63. Lluch E, Arguisuelas MD, Coloma PS, Palma F, Rey A, Falla D. Effects of deep cervical flexor training on pressure pain thresholds over myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013;36(9):604-11
  64. Falla D, Lindstrøm R, Rechter L, Boudreau S, Petzke F. Effectiveness of an 8-week exercise programme on pain and specificity of neck muscle activity in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled study. Eur J Pain. 2013;17(10):1517-28
  65. Schomacher J, Boudreau SA, Petzke F, Falla D. Localized Pressure Pain Sensitivity is Associated with Lower Activation of the Semispinalis Cervicis Muscle in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain. Clin J Pain. 2013;29(10):898-906
  66. Schomacher J, Falla D. Function and structure of the deep cervical extensor muscles in patients with neck pain. Man Ther. 2013;18(5):360-6.
  67. Thoomes EJ, Scholten-Peeters W, Koes B, Falla D, Verhagen AP. The Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review. Clin J Pain. 2013;29(12):1073-86.
  68. Schomacher  J, Petzke F, Falla D. Localised resistance selectively activates the semispinalis cervicis muscle in patients with neck pain. Man Ther. 2012;17(6):544-8
  69. Lindstroem R, Graven-Nielsen T, Falla D. Current Pain and Fear of Pain Contribute to Reduced Maximum Voluntary Contraction of Neck Muscles in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Nov; (11):2042-8.
  70. Castroflorio T, Falla D, Tartaglia GM, Sforza C, Deregibus A. Myoelectric manifestations of jaw elevator muscle fatigue and recovery in healthy and TMD subjects. J Oral Rehabil. 2012;39(9):648-658.
  71. Hassanlouei H, Arendt-Nielsen L, Kersting UG, Falla D. Effect Of Exercise-Induced Fatigue On Postural Control Of The Knee. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2012;22(3):342-7
  72. Hedayatpour N, Falla D. Non-uniform muscle adaptations to eccentric exercise and the implications for training and sport. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012;22(3):329-33.
  73. Schomacher J, Dideriksen J, Farina D, Falla D. Recruitment Of Motor Units In Two Fascicles Of The Semispinalis Cervicis Muscle. J Neurophysiol, 2012;107(11):3078-85
  74. Schomacher J, Farina D, Lindstroem R, Falla D. Chronic trauma-induced neck pain impairs the neural control of the deep semispinalis cervicis muscle. Clin Neurophysiol., 2012;123(7):1403-8.
  75. Falla D, O'Leary S, Farina D, Jull G. The change in deep cervical flexor activity following training is associated with the degree of pain reduction in patients with chronic neck pain. Clin J Pain. 2012;28(7):628-34.
  76. Vila-Chã C, Hassanlouei H, Farina D, Falla D. Eccentric exercise and delayed onset muscle soreness of the quadriceps induce adjustments in agonist-antagonist activity, which are dependent on the motor task. Exp Brain Res, 216(3):385-95
  77. Farina D, Negro N, Gizzi L, Falla D. Low frequency oscillations of the neural drive to the muscle are increased with experimental muscle pain. J Neurophysiol, 2012;107(3):958-65.
  78. Vila-Chã C, Falla D, Correia MV, Farina D. Changes in H-reflex and V-wave following short-term endurance and strength training. J Appl Physiol. 2012;112(1):54-63.
  79. Vila-Cha C, Falla D, Correia MV, Farina D. Adjustments in Motor Unit Properties during Fatiguing Contractions Following Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012;44(4):616-24.
  80. Castroflorio T, Falla D, Wang K, Svensson P, Farina D. Effect of experimental jaw-muscle pain on the spatial distribution of surface EMG activity of the human masseter muscle during tooth clenching. J Oral Rehabil. 2012; 39(2):81-92
  81. Farina D, Lanzetta M, Falla D. Assessment of the Electrophysiological Properties of the Muscle Fibers of a Transplanted Hand. Transplantation. 2011; 92(11):1202-7.
  82. Boudreau S, Farina D, Kongstad L, Buus D, Redder J, Sverrisdóttir E, Falla D. The relative timing of trunk muscle activation is retained in response to unanticipated postural- perturbations during acute low back pain.  Exp Brain Res. 2011;210(2):259-67
  83. Muceli S, Farina D, Kirkesola G, Katch F, Falla D. Reduced force steadiness in women with neck pain and the effect of short term vibration. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2011;21(2):283-90
  84. Falla D, O'Leary S, Farina D, Jull G. Association Between Intensity of Pain and Impairment in Onset and Activation of the Deep Cervical Flexors in Patients With Persistent Neck Pain. Clin J Pain. 2011;27(4):309-14.
  85. O'Leary S, Falla D, Jull G. The relationship between superficial muscle activity during the cranio-cervical flexion test and clinical features in patients with chronic neck pain. Man Ther. 2011;16(5):452-5
  86. Falla D, Moore AP Editorial for the special issue of manual therapy based on the third international conference on movement dysfunction. Man Ther. 2011;16(1):1-2
  87. Hedayatpour N, Hassanlouei H, Arendt-Nielsen L, Kersting UG, Falla D. Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Alters the Response to Postural Perturbations. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(6):1010-6
  88. Vila-Chã C, Riis S, Lund D, Møller A, Farina D, Falla D.  Effect of unaccustomed eccentric exercise on proprioception of the knee in weight and non-weight bearing tasks. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2011;21(1):141-7
  89. Lindstrøm R, Schomacher J, Farina D, Rechter L, Falla D. Association between neck muscle coactivation, pain, and strength in women with neck pain. Man Ther. 2011;16(1):80-6
  90. Vila-Chã C, Falla D, Farina D Motor unit behavior during submaximal contractions following six weeks of either endurance or strength training. J Appl Physiol. 2010;109(5):1455-66
  91. Boudreau SA, Farina D, Falla D. The role of motor learning and neuroplasticity in designing rehabilitation approaches for musculoskeletal pain disorders. Man Ther.  2010;15(5):410-4
  92. Jiang N, Falla D, d'Avella A, Graimann B, Farina D. Myoelectric control in neurorehabilitation. Crit Rev Biomed Eng. 2010;38(4):381-91
  93. Gonzalez-Izal M, Malanda A, Rodríguez-Carreño I, Navarro-Amézqueta I, Gorostiaga EM, Farina D, Falla D, Izquierdo M. Linear vs. non-linear mapping of peak power using surface EMG features during dynamic fatiguing contractions. J Biomech. 2010;43(13):2589-94
  94. Gonzalez-Izal M, Falla D, Izquierdo M, Farina D. Predicting force loss during dynamic fatiguing exercises from non-linear mapping of features of the surface electromyogram. J Neurosci Methods. 2010;190(2):271-8
  95. Falla D, Lindstrøm R, Rechter L, Farina D. Effect of pain on the modulation in discharge rate of sternocleidomastoid motor units with force direction Clin Neurophysiol. 2010;121(5):744-53
  96. Falla D, Andersen H, Danneskiold-Samsøe B, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D.Adaptations of upper trapezius muscle activity during sustained contractions in women with fibromyalgia. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010;20(3):457-64
  97. Hedayatpour N, Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Effect of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness on Muscle Recovery after a Fatiguing Isometric Contraction. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010;20(1):145-53
  98. Hedayatpour N, Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Motor unit conduction velocity during sustained contraction after eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2009;41(10):1927-33
  99. Dideriksen JL, Falla D, Baekgaard M, Mogensen ML, Steimle KL, Farina D. Comparison between the degree of motor unit short-term synchronization and recurrence quantification analysis of the surface EMG in two human muscles. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009;120(12):2086-92
  100. Farina D, Falla D. Discharge rate of sternohyoid motor units activated with surface EMG feedback. J Neurophysiol, 2009;101:624-632
  101. Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. The pain-induced change in relative activation of upper trapezius muscle regions is independent of the site of noxious stimulation. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009;120:150-157
  102. Jull GA, Falla D, Vicenzino B, Hodges PW. The effect of therapeutic exercise on activation of the deep cervical flexor muscles in people with chronic neck pain. Man Ther. 2009;14(6):696-701.
  103. O'Leary SP, Falla D, Elliott J, Jull GA. Muscle dysfunction in cervical spine pain: implications for assessment and management. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(5):324-33
  104. Arendt-Nielsen L, Falla D. Motor control adjustments in musculoskeletal pain and the implications for pain recurrence. Pain. 2009;142(3):171-2
  105. Tucker K, Falla D, Graven-Nielsen T, Farina D. Electromyographic Mapping of the Erector Spinae Muscle with Varying Load and During Sustained Contraction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2009;19:373-379.
  106. Falla D, Farina D. Non-uniform adaptation of motor unit discharge rates during sustained static contraction of the upper trapezius muscle. Exp Brain Res, 2008;191: 363-370
  107. Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Gender-specific adaptations of upper trapezius muscle activity to acute nociceptive stimulation. Pain, 2008;138:217-25
  108. Jull GA, O'Leary SP, Falla D. Clinical assessment of the deep cervical flexor muscles: the craniocervical flexion test. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 2008;31: 525-33
  109. Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Cervical muscle co-activation in isometric contractions is enhanced in chronic tension type headache patients. Cephalalgia, 28:744-751 (2008)
  110. Farina D, Falla D. Effect of muscle-fiber velocity recovery function on motor unit action potential properties in voluntary contractions. Muscle Nerve, 2008;37: 650-658
  111. Falla D, Farina D. Motor Units In Cranial And Caudal Regions Of The Upper Trapezius Muscle Have Different Discharge Rates During Brief Static Contractions. Acta Physiol (Oxf), 2008;192: 551-558
  112. Hedayatpour N, Falla D, Arendt-Nielsen L, Farina D. Sensory and Electromyographic Mapping during Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Med Sci Sports Ex, 2008;40: 326-334
  113. Falla D, Jull G, Hodges, P. Training the cervical muscles with prescribed motor tasks does not change muscle activation during a functional activity. Man Ther, 2008;13: 507-512
  114. Rainoldi A, Falla D, Mellor R, Bennell K, Hodges P. Myoelectric manifestations of fatigue in vastus lateralis, medialis obliquus and medialis longus muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2008;18: 1032-1037
  115. Falla D, Farina D. Neuromuscular adaptation in experimental and clinical neck pain.J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2008;18: 255-261
  116. Farina D, Falla D. Estimation of Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity from Two-Dimensional Surface EMG Recordings in Dynamic Tasks. Biomed Sig Proc Con, 2008;3:138-144
  117. Falla D, Farina D, Kanstrup Dahl M, Graven-Nielsen T.Pain-induced changes in cervical muscle activation do not affect muscle fatigability during sustained isometric contraction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2008;18:938-46
  118. Falla D, Farina D. Neural and Muscular Factors Associated with Motor Impairment in Neck Pain. Curr Rheumatol Rep, 2007; 9: 497-502
  119. Falla D, Farina D. Periodic increases in force during sustained contraction reduce fatigue and facilitate spatial redistribution of trapezius muscle activity. Exp Brain Res, 2007;182: 99-107
  120. O’Leary S, Falla D, Hodges P, Jull G, Vicenzino B. Specific therapeutic exercise of the neck produces immediate local hypoalgesia. J Pain, 2007;8:832-9
  121. Falla D, Farina D, Kanstrup Dahl M, Graven-Nielsen T. Muscle pain induces task-dependent changes in cervical agonist/antagonist activity. J Appl Physiol, 2007;102(2):601-609
  122. Falla D, Farina D, Graven-Nielsen T. Experimental muscle pain results in reorganization of coordination among trapezius muscle subdivisions during repetitive shoulder flexion. Exp Brain Res, 2007;178(3):385-93
  123. Falla D, Jull G, Russell T, Vicenzino B, Hodges P. Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Phys Ther, 2007;87(4):408-17
  124. Falla D, Farina D, Graven-Nielsen T.Spatial dependency of trapezius muscle activity during repetitive shoulder flexion. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2007;17(3):299-306
  125. Falla D, O’Leary S, Fagan A, Jull G. Recruitment of the deep cervical flexor muscles during a postural correction exercise performed in sitting. Man Ther, 2007;12: 139-143
  126. Jull G, Falla D, Treleaven J, Hodges P, Vicenzino B. Retraining cervical joint position sense: The effect of two exercise regimes. J Orthop Res, 2007;25(3):404-412
  127. O’Leary S, Falla D, Vicenzino B, Jull G. Muscle specificity in dynamometry tests of cranio-cervical flexor muscle performance. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2007;17(1): 35-40
  128. Falla D, Graven-Nielsen T, Farina D. Spatial and temporal changes of upper trapezius muscle fiber conduction velocity are not predicted by surface EMG spectral analysis during a dynamic upper limb task. J Neurosci Meth, 2006;156: 236-241
  129. Falla D, Jull G, Hodges P, Vicenzino B. An endurance-strength training regime is effective in reducing myoelectric manifestations of cervical flexor muscle fatigue in females with chronic neck pain. Clin Neurophysiol, 2006;117: 828-837
  130. Falla D, Jull G, O’Leary, Dall'Alba P. Further evaluation of an EMG technique for assessment of the deep cervical flexor muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2006;16: 621-628
  131. Falla D, Farina D. Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle during Dynamic Contraction of the Upper Limb in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain. Pain, 2005;116: 138-145
  132. Falla D, Jull G, Hodges P. Feedforward activity of the cervical flexor muscles during voluntary arm movements is delayed in chronic neck pain. Exp Brain Res, 2004;157: 43-48
  133. Falla D. Unravelling the complexity of muscle impairment in chronic neck. Man Ther, 2004;9: 125-133
  134. Falla D, Bilenkij G, Jull G. Patients with chronic neck pain demonstrate altered patterns of muscle activation during performance of a functional upper limb task. Spine, 2004;29(13): 1436-1440
  135. Falla D, Jull G, Hodges P. Patients with neck pain demonstrate reduced electromyographic activity of the deep cervical flexor muscles during performance of the craniocervical flexion test. Spine, 2004;29(19): 2108-2114
  136. Falla D, Rainoldi A, Jull G, Stavrou G, Tsao H. Lack of correlation between sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscle fatigability and duration of symptoms in chronic neck pain patients. Neurophysiol Clin, 2004;34: 159-165
  137. Falla D, Rainoldi A, Merletti R, Jull G. Spatio-temporal evaluation of neck muscle activation during postural perturbations in healthy subjects. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2004;14:463-474
  138. Falla D, Jull G, Rainoldi A, Merletti R. Neck flexor muscle fatigue is side specific in patients with unilateral neck pain. Euro J Pain, 2004;8(1): 71-77
  139. Falla D, Edwards S, Koh K, Jull G, Rainoldi A. Neuromuscular efficiency of the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles in patients with chronic neck pain. Disabil Rehabil, 2004;26(12): 712-717 
  140. Falla D, Rainoldi A, Merletti R, Jull G. Myoelectric manifestations of sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscle fatigue in chronic neck pain patients. Clin Neurophysiol, 2003;114(3): 488-495
  141. Falla D, Jull G, Dall'Alba P, Rainoldi A, Merletti R. An electromyographic analysis of the deep cervical flexor muscles in performance of craniocervical flexion. Phys Ther, 2003;83: 899-906
  142. Falla D, Campbell C, Fagan A, Thompson D, Jull G. The relationship between cranio-cervical flexion range of motion and pressure change during the cranio-cervical flexion test. Man Ther, 2003; 8(2): 92-96
  143. Falla D, Hess S, Richardson C. Evaluation of shoulder internal rotator muscle strength in baseball players with physical signs of glenohumeral joint instability. Brit J Sports Med, 2003;37:430–432
  144. O’Leary S, Falla D, Jull G. Recent advances in therapeutic exercise for the neck: implications for patients with head and neck pain. Aust Endod J. 2003;29(3): 138-142
  145. Falla D, Dall'Alba P, Rainoldi A, Merletti R, Jull G. Repeatability of surface EMG variables in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles. Euro J Appl Physiol, 2002; 87: 542-549
  146. Falla D, Dall'Alba P, Rainoldi A, Merletti R, Jull G. Location of innervation zones of sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles--a basis for clinical and research electromyography. Clin Neurophysiol. 2002 Jan;113(1):57-63.

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