Training and Qualifications
MMACP (2017)
PhD in Neuroscience, The University of Queensland
PT OMT svomp (2006)
MManipTher, Curtin University of Technology (2005)
BSc, School for Physiotherapy Schinznach Switzerland (2001)
Research groups
Colleges
Annina Schmid
MMACP, MManipTher, PhD
Associate Professor
- Wellcome Clinical Career Development Fellow
Research focus
Peripheral entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome or radiculopathies are common conditions that are caused by compression of a nerve as it travels through narrow anatomical spaces. Symptoms include tingling, numbness and weakness and many patients develop neuropathic pain. The first-line treatment for entrapment neuropathies is non-surgical management including physiotherapy and pharmacology. However, the effects of non-surgical management are often modest. A major road-block to delivering more effective interventions is a lack of understanding of disease mechanisms resulting in inadequate patient stratification.
My research focusses on advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of entrapment neuropathies with the ultimate aim to develop precision physiotherapy and improve management for these patients.
My group uses entrapment neuropathies as unique model systems that allow the prospective evaluation of nerve injury and repair in the context of neuropathic pain. We use a range of methodologies including deep clinical phenotyping with quantitative sensory testing and neurophysiological methods. I have also been at the forefront in developing advanced neuroimaging methods to visualise peripheral nerves at ultra-high field strength (MR neurography). In addition, we use a range of technologies (e.g., RNA sequencing, qPCR, specialised histology) to study the cellular and molecular aspects of entrapment neuropathies. This multimodal and innovative approach allows a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying entrapment neuropathies and neuropathic pain in general.
Websites
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Why you cannot trust the dermatomes
Please see our recent animated video explaining why you cannot trust the dermatomes
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What is sciatica?
Have a look at our short video explaining what 'sciatica' is for patients
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Molecular and cellular correlates of human nerve regeneration: ADCYAP1/PACAP enhance nerve outgrowth
Here you can see our video summary explaining our findings on a gene related to human nerve regeneration
nodes of Ranvier in human skin
Key publications
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Journal article
Baskozos G. et al, (2020), Brain, 143, 2009 - 2026
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Journal article
Lewis KJ. et al, (2020), J Physiother, 66, 97 - 104
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Journal article
Schmid AB. et al, (2014), Brain, 137, 3186 - 3199
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Journal article
Wiberg A. et al, (2019), Nat Commun, 10
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Journal article
Schmid AB. et al, (2018), Invest Radiol, 53, 705 - 713
Recent publications
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Safety and immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine administered in a prime-boost regimen in young and old adults (COV002): a single-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2/3 trial.
Journal article
Ramasamy MN. et al, (2021), Lancet, 396, 1979 - 1993
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Phase 1/2 trial of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 with a booster dose induces multifunctional antibody responses.
Journal article
Barrett JR. et al, (2020), Nat Med
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Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.
Journal article
Voysey M. et al, (2020), Lancet
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Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Orthopaedic Surgeons Agree on the Decision for Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Journal article
Lewis K. et al, (2020), International Journal of Health Policy and Management
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Somatosensory and psychological phenotypes associated with neuropathic pain in entrapment neuropathy.
Journal article
Matesanz L. et al, (2020), Pain
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Somatosensory profiles in patients with non-specific neck-arm pain with and without positive neurodynamic tests.
Journal article
Ottiger-Boettger K. et al, (2020), Musculoskelet Sci Pract, 50
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Molecular and cellular correlates of human nerve regeneration: ADCYAP1/PACAP enhance nerve outgrowth.
Journal article
Baskozos G. et al, (2020), Brain, 143, 2009 - 2026
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Group education, night splinting and home exercises reduce conversion to surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome: a multicentre randomised trial.
Journal article
Lewis KJ. et al, (2020), J Physiother, 66, 97 - 104
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Small Fibre Pathology in Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Journal article
Farrell SF. et al, (2020), Eur J Pain
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Neurodynamik – Was wissen wir heute?
Journal article
Tampin B. and Schmid A., (2020), manuelletherapie, 24, 9 - 14
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Novel Genetic Evidence That Increased Body Mass Index Has a Causal Role in the Development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Conference paper
Smillie R. et al, (2019), BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY, 106, 5 - 5
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Concurrent validity of a low-cost and time-efficient clinical sensory test battery to evaluate somatosensory dysfunction.
Journal article
Zhu GC. et al, (2019), Eur J Pain
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Molecular and cellular correlates of human nerve regeneration: ADCYAP1 encoding PACAP enhances sensory neuron outgrowth
Journal article
Schmid A. et al, (2019), BioRxiv
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A genome-wide association analysis identifies 16 novel susceptibility loci for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Journal article
Wiberg A. et al, (2019), Nat Commun, 10
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Feasibility of Diffusion Tensor and Morphologic Imaging of Peripheral Nerves at Ultra-High Field Strength.
Journal article
Schmid AB. et al, (2018), Invest Radiol, 53, 705 - 713
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Validity of Clinical Small Fiber Sensory Testing to Detect Small Nerve Fiber Degeneration.
Journal article
Ridehalgh C. et al, (2018), J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1 - 30
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Macrophage polarization contributes to local inflammation and structural change in the multifidus muscle after intervertebral disc injury.
Journal article
James G. et al, (2018), Eur Spine J
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Sensory profiles are comparable in patients with distal and proximal entrapment neuropathies, while the pain experience differs.
Journal article
Tampin B. et al, (2018), Curr Med Res Opin, 1 - 8
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Entrapment Neuropathies: Challenging Common Beliefs With Novel Evidence.
Journal article
Schmid AB. et al, (2018), J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 48, 58 - 62
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Negative Neurodynamic Tests Do Not Exclude Neural Dysfunction in Patients With Entrapment Neuropathies.
Journal article
Baselgia LT. et al, (2017), Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 98, 480 - 486