Professor Valerie Sparkes

Director: Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis

School of Healthcare Sciences

: sparkesv@cardiff.ac.uk
: +44 (0)29 206 87560
: Room 13.11, Eastgate House, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AB

: Available for postgraduate supervision

Other Roles

Director, Arthrits Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Center

Director of Innovation & Impact

Hon Secretary British Orthopaedic Research Association

Research Interests

Spinal pain

My main focus of my reserach is investigating spinal pain and dysfunction, including neuromuscular control of muscles, muscle imbalance in spinal pain, disc degeneration, vertebral osteoarthritis and the resultant motor control dysfunction.
- My current key projects are developing content for technology to deliver self-management programmes for low back pain and other neuromusculoskeletal disorders
Rehabilitation of back pain patients which include motor control training involving proprioceptive training, cognitive behavioural approaches.
Postural control in sitting combined with the effect of fatigue on neuromuscular control and spinal posture.
Gait analysis in Spinal disorders

Classification of back pain

Our reserach group focuses on delivering targetted treatments for specific subgroups of people with low back pain using targetted biomechanically based interventions

Differential diagnosis of pain

The thoracic spine as a source of pain.
Differential diagnosis of abdominal pain from musculoskeletal pain.

Clinical Work Experience

Prior to working at Cardiff University, I spent 18 years in clinical work specialising in musculoskeletal out-patient physiotherapy including sports injuries. I worked in the NHS at Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, Cambridge and Private Practice in Cambridge. In my last post I worked in the Rheumatology Clinics as an Extended Scope practitioner triaging patients with spinal pain.

My academic work included projects on differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, working with Professor J Hunter, auditing of the management of Spinal Pain within out-patients and research into the effects of different exercise programmes on outcomes following spinal surgery.

Cardiff University - My main teaching and research interests are in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, including sports injuries with a special interest in spinal dysfunction and referral of the visceral structures to the musculoskeletal system.

I review papers for Manual Therapy and Physiotherapy and review funding applications for Action Research and the Physiotherapy Research Foundation.

Professional memberships

I am a member of The Chartered Soceity of Physiotherapists,The Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists, British Orthopaedic Research Society,and teh Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER).

2014

Roos, P. E.et al. 2014. Altered biomechanical strategies and medio-lateral control of the knee represent incomplete recovery of individuals with ACL injury during single leg hop. Journal of Biomechanics 47(3), pp. 675-680. (10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.11.046)
Hemming, R., Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2014. Intra and inter-rater reliability of spinal pelvic kinematics during functional tasks. Presented at: CITER Annual Meeting, Llanelli, Wales, U.K., Sep 2014. pp. -.
Hemming, R., Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2014. Regional spinal kinematics during static postures,. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, Nov 2014. pp. -.
Sheeran, L.et al. 2014. The Cardiff classifier: Objective classification method to subgroup and predict recovery of chronic low back pain. Presented at: Physiotherapy Research Society Conference, Norwich, U.K., April 2014. pp. -.

2013

Sheeran, L.et al. 2013. Classification-based cognitive functional group intervention in subgroups of non-specific chronic low back pain: Preliminary results. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Dubai, United Arabic Emirates, 27-31 October 2013.
Sheeran, L., Coales, P. J. and Sparkes, V. 2013. Clinical challenges of adopting classification guided management for non-specific chronic low back pain: what do the clinicians and managers think?. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Dubai, United Arabic Emirates, 27-31 October 2013.
Sheeran, L.et al. 2013. Classification-guided versus generalized postural intervention in subgroups of nonspecific chronic low back pain: a pragmatic randomized controlled study. Spine 38(19), pp. 1613-1625. (10.1097/BRS.0b013e31829e049b)
Roos, P. E.et al. 2013. Knee control is not related to kinematics and kinetics and should be addressed separately in rehabilitation of knee patients. Presented at: British Association for Surgery of the Knee - 2013 Annual Conference, Leeds, UK, 12-13 March 2013.
Button, K.et al. 2013. Knee control and limb symmetry during gait are not fully recovered following anterior cruciate ligament injury. Presented at: British Association for Surgery of the Knee Annual Spring Meeting, Leeds, UK, 12-13 March 2013.
Sheeran, L.et al. 2013. Discriminating non-specific chronic low back pain clinical subgroups and monitoring recovery using objective classification method. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Dubai, 27-31 October 2013.
Hemming, R.et al. 2013. Within- and between-day reliability of functional movements in healthy subjects using 3D motion analysis: A preliminary study. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Dubai, United Arabic Emirates, 27-31 October 2013.
Evans, N. R.et al. 2013. A 3D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting spinal motion through physiological range. European Spine Journal 22(S1), pp. 10-15. (10.1007/s00586-012-2641-0)

2012

Sheeran, L.et al. 2012. Spinal position sense and trunk muscle activity during sitting and standing in non-specific chronic low back pain: classification analysis. Spine 37(8), pp. E486-E495. (10.1097/BRS.0b013e31823b00ce)
Letchford, R.et al. 2012. Assessing activity participation in the ACL injured population: a systematic review of activity rating scale measurement properties. Physical Therapy Reviews 17(2), pp. 99-109. (10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000053)
Sparkes, V., Chidwick, N. J. and Coales, P. J. 2012. Effect of The Back Book on fear-avoidance beliefs, disability, and pain levels in subjects with low back pain. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 19(2), pp. 79-86.
Feldwieser, F. M.et al. 2012. Electromyographic analysis of trunk-muscle activity during stable, unstable and unilateral bridging exercises in healthy individuals. European Spine Journal 21(S2), pp. 171-186. (10.1007/s00586-012-2254-7)

2011

Jones, U. F.et al. 2011. Reliability of digital analysis of thoracic, neck and head tilt measurements [Abstract]. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 93-B(SuppIV), pp. 490-490.
Evans, N.et al. 2011. A 3D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting physiological range of movement. Presented at: British Association of Spine Surgeons, Edinburgh, 2-4 February 2011.
Evans, N.et al. 2011. Are Miami-J and Aspen's one-collar-fits-all cervical orthotic designs as effective at restricting cervical spine motion as their standard designs. Presented at: British Trauma Society, Manchester, 5-6 May 2011.
Nick, E.et al. 2011. The effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting spinal motion: a 3-D motion analysis study. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society, Cambridge, 27-29 June 2011.
Evans, N.et al. 2011. A 3-D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses in restricting cervical spine movement during activities of daily living. Presented at: SICOT XXV Triennial World Congress Meeting, Prague, 6-9 September 2011.
Feldwieser, F. and Sparkes, V. 2011. Trunk muscle activity during stable and unstable, bilateral and unilateral bridging exercises. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Conference, Cambridge, 10-11 November 2011.
Smith, M.et al. 2011. Measuring Scapulothoracic Function in the Clinical Setting: developing a unified approach via the CISMA process. InTouch 134, pp. 28-30.
Smith, M.et al. 2011. Developing an evidence based, clinical measurement tool for scapular movement – uniting the yin of published evidence and the yang of clinical opinion via the CISMA process.. Presented at: Society for Research in Rehabilitation Winter Meeting, Cardiff, UK, 22 February 2011.
Rimmer, P. A.et al. 2011. Single leg squat performance in anterior cruciate ligament injured subjects. Presented at: 3rd Joint meeting of the Bone Research Society and the British Orthopaedic Research Society, Cambridge, UK, 27-29 June 2011.

2010

Sheeran, L.et al. 2010. Preliminary study: reliability of the spinal wheel. A novel device to measure spinal postures applied to sitting and standing. European Spine Journal 19(6), pp. 995-1003. (10.1007/s00586-009-1241-0)
Sheeran, L.et al. 2010. Preliminary study: reliability of the spinal wheel. A novel device to measure spinal postures applied to sitting and standing. European Spine Journal 19(6), pp. 995-1003. (10.1007/s00586-009-1241-0)
Sparkes, V., Whitehouse, K. and Warren, L. 2010. Abdominal muscle activity and lower limb forces when walking with Nordic walking poles. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research, Odense, Denmark, 9-11 June 2010.
Sparkes, V. and Smith, M. 2010. Function of the upper limb. In: Everett, A. and Kell, C. eds. Human Movement: an Introductory Text. 6th ed.. Physiotherapy Essentials Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, pp. 155-170.
Smith, M.et al. 2010. Describing and quantifying scapulothoracic function: are we all on the same page or are we even reading the same book?. Presented at: International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists, Edinburgh, 5-8 September 2010.
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Sharp, T. N. 2010. Glenohumeral range of rotational movement, GIRD and posterior capsular tightness in competitive water polo players: relationships and practice effects. Presented at: International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists, Edinburgh, 5-8 September 2010.
Smith, M.et al. 2010. Development of a clinical approach for assessing movement patterns in patients with shoulder pain: the CISMA process. Presented at: Aneurin Bevan Health Board Research & Development Conference, Newport, Gwent, UK, 9 June 2010.

2009

Smith, M.et al. 2009. Clinical assessment of scapulohumeral function in patients with subacromial impingement: What do shoulder physiotherapists think and what do they do? [Abstract]. Manual Therapy 14(S1), pp. S50., article number: P33. (10.1016/j.math.2009.09.001)
Smith, M.et al. 2009. Upper and lower trapezius muscle activity in subjects with subacromial impingement symptoms: Is there imbalance and can taping change it?. Physical Therapy in Sport 10(2), pp. 45-50. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.12.002)
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Van Deursen, R. 2009. Scapulohumeral assessment in the clinical setting. Presented at: UK Shoulder Biomechanics’ Group (UKSBG) 3rd Annual Meeting, Cardiff, UK, 8 January 2009.
Smith, M.et al. 2009. Clinical assessment of scapulohumeral function in patients with subacromial impingement: what do shoulder clinicians attending the 2008 British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS) conference think and what do they do?. Presented at: British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS) Scientific Conference., London, 24-26 June 2007.

2008

Sparkes, V., Chidwick, N. and Coales, P. 2008. The effect of ‘The Back Book’ on pain perception, functional disability and pain in subjects with low back pain.. Presented at: International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 12 June 2008.

2007

Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2007. Scapular rotator muscle imbalance in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms [Abstract]. British Journal of Sports Medicine 41(2), pp. 120. (10.1136/bjsm.2006.033944)
Sharp, T. N., Pocock, P. E. and Sparkes, V. 2007. Trunk inclincation during cycling ; the effects on the ratio of Vastus Medialis / vsstus lateralis. Presented at: 6th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvis pain, Barcelona, Spain, 7-10 November 2007.
Sparkes, V., Hawthorn, G. and Walker, V. 2007. Trunk muscle activity in upright and slumped sitting in pain free population. Presented at: 6th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, Barcelona, Spain, 7-10 November 2007.
Sparkes, V. and Jones, K. 2007. Reliability of Silicon Coach in measuring pelvic obliquity. Presented at: Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSM) Annual Conference, London, UK, 7-8 July 2007.
Sparkes, V.et al. 2007. The effect of unsupported sitting on lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Meeting, Helsinki, Finland, 28-29 June 2007.
Sparkes, V. and Barnford, A. 2007. The effect of fatigue on iliocostalis lumborum and superficial multifidus muscle activity in rowers. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Meeting, Helsinki, Finland, 28-29 June 2007.
Sparkes, V., Smith, M. and Busse, M. 2007. Scapular taping in the therapeutic management of subacromial impingement symptoms - exploration of a clinical theory. Physiotherapy Research International 12(4), pp. 203-204. (10.1002/pri.387)
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Busse, M. 2007. The effect of scapular taping on the electromyographic activity of the upper fibres of trapezius in the therapeutic management of subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: Welsh Assembly Government Evidence Based Practice: Practice Based Evidence Conference for Midwives, Nurses, AHP and Clinical Scientists, Cardiff, UK, 12 July 2007.

2006

Sparkes, V.et al. 2006. Spinal stability exercises: evidence of preferential activation of internal oblique in 3 and 2 point kneeling exercises. Physical Therapy in Sport 7(4), pp. 174-175. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.009)
Patterson, C. and Sparkes, V. 2006. The effects of a 6 week scapular muscle exercise programme on the muscle activity of the scapular rotators in tennis players with shoulder impingement - A pilot study [Abstract]. Physical Therapy in Sport 7(4), pp. 172. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.004)
Smith, M. and Sparkes, V. 2006. Immediate effect of scapular taping on surface electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms.[Abstract]. Physical Therapy in Sport 7(4), pp. 171. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.002)
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2006. Scapular rotator muscle imbalance in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) Congress, Oxford, UK, 5 October 2006.
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Busse, M. 2006. The immediate effect of scapular taping on the electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms – intervention and measurement error studies.. Presented at: 3rd All – Wales Conference on Sport and Exercise Medicine and Science National conference, Cardiff, UK, July 6 2006.
Smith, M., Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2006. The effect of taping on surface EMG activity of the scapular rotators in subjects with subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) conference and AGM 2006, London, UK, 28 October 2006.

2005

Sparkes, V.et al. 2005. Muscle stabilisation exercises after lumbar disc surgery compared to mobilising exercises. Presented at: 2nd International Conference on movement dysfunction - pain and performance, evidence and effect, Edinburgh, UK, 23-25 September 2005.

2003

Sparkes, V. and Hunter, J. 2003. The thoracic spine: a source of abdominal pain. Presented at: 14th International Congress of WCPT, World Physical Therapy 2003, Barcelona, Spain, 7-12 June 2003.
Sparkes, V.et al. 2003. Recovery of lumbar multifidus following spinal surgery for single level prolapsed intervertebral disc. Presented at: 14th International Congress of WCPT, World Physical Therapy 2003, Barcelona, Spain, 7-12 June 2003.
Humphriss, R. L.et al. 2003. Contraindications to the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre: A multidisciplinary review: Contraindicaciones de la maniobra de Dix-Hallpike: Una revisión multidisciplinaria. International Journal of Audiology 42(3), pp. 166-173. (10.3109/14992020309090426)

My main teaching involves musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, research methods and research ethics at BSc level as well as teaching medical students. At MSc level I teach musculoskeletal topics including spinal dysfunction with special emphasis on the thoracic spine and visceral referral patterns. Within the sports modules I teach clinical reasoning with special reference to differential diagnosis of symptoms.

Within Tissues Systems and Functional Analysis I teach spinal biomechanics and spinal anatomy as well as using real time ultrasound for muscle imaging of transversus abdominus and multifidus. Within Research Methods at MSc level I teach research ethics.

I examine for Membership of the Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Project Supervision - I supervise BSc and MSc projects with a special focus on spinal dysfunction including the effect of sitting and standing on spinal alignment and muscle activity. The effect of fatigue on spinal muscles and spinal curvature in rowing. Other projects include Gluteal muscle function and strength and its relationship to knee angle in runners and cyclists.

I work with a multidisciplinary team within the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioenineering Center investigating the causes and management of musculoskeletal realted disorders with particular reference to spinal and knee pain. My main focus is developing targetted treatments and developing interventions for spianl disorders.

Other work focuses on the effects of back pain on gait parameters including spinal motion.I

I am a member of Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER) which encourages multidisciplinary finding applications and work.

I am Honorary Secretary of the British Orthopaedic Research Society.

Developing technologies to deliver treatments for neuromsuculoskeletal disorders

Classification and development of interventions for low back pain

Professor Valerie Sparkes

Other Roles

Research Interests

Spinal pain

Classification of back pain

Differential diagnosis of pain

Clinical Work Experience

Professional memberships

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