Research Interests
Pauline completed her PhD at the University of Birmingham in 2023, investigating exercise-induced hypoalgesia -the process by which physical activity can reduce pain sensitivity. Her doctoral research focused on the mechanisms underpinning this effect in individuals with chronic low back pain, contributing to the growing body of evidence in pain science and rehabilitation.
As a musculoskeletal physiotherapy specialist, Pauline’s interests include manual therapy, exercise-based interventions, and the integration of clinical reasoning into both education and practice. She is particularly committed to patient-centred care and exploring the role of movement in the management of persistent pain.
Pauline is also passionate about student learning and development, with a strong focus on fostering critical thinking, reflective practice, and professional reasoning in future clinicians. She regularly presents her work at national and international conferences and is actively involved in promoting innovation in physiotherapy education and practice.
Recent Publications
Kuithan, P. (2025) I like to move it – endogenous pain modulation - how Physiotherapy can influence pain sensitivity. Keynote presentation at Therapie Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany, 6 March 2025.
Sanderson, A., Cescon, C., Martinez-Valdes, E., Rushton, A., Heneghan, N. R., Kuithan, P., Barbero, M., & Falla, D. (2024). Reduced variability of erector spinae activity in people with chronic low back pain when performing a functional 3D lifting task. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 78, 102917. DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102917
Kuithan, P., Rushton, A., Heneghan, N.R. 2022 Schmerzmodellierung durch Bewegung - Bewegungs-induzierte Hypoalgesie in der Physiotherapie [Pain modulation through exercise - Exercise-induced hypoalgesia in Physiotherapy] Der Schmerz DOI 10.1007/s00482-022-00623-3
Middlebrook, N., Rushton, A.B., Abichandi, D., Kuithan, P., Heneghan, N.R., Falla, D. (2020). "Measures of central sensitization and their measurement properties in musculoskeletal trauma: A systematic review." Eur J Pain DOI10.1002/ejp.1670
Sanderson, A., Cescon, C., Heneghan, N. R., Kuithan, P., Martinez-Valdes, E., Rushton, A., Barbero, M., Falla, D. 2019. People with Low Back Pain Display a Different Distribution of Erector Spinae Activity During a Singular Mono-Planar Lifting Task. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 1. Reprinted in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living: Anniversary Edition (May 2020) DOI 10.3389/fspor.2019.00065
Kuithan, P., Heneghan, N. R., Rushton, A., Sanderson, A. & Falla, D. 2019. Lack of exercise induced hypoalgesia to repetitive back movement in people with chronic low back pain. Pain Pract. DOI: 10.1111/papr.12804
Karstens, S., Kuithan, P., Joos, S., Hill, J. C., Wensing, M., Steinhauser, J., Krug, K. & Szecsenyi, J. 2018. Physiotherapists' views of implementing a stratified treatment approach for patients with low back pain in Germany: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res, 18, 214. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-2991-3