Dr Bradley Neal
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Email
b.neal@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 873217
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Location
ESA.3.28, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Bradley joined the School of Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences as a Physiotherapy Lecturer (Education and Research) in April 2021. Prior to this, he spent 10 years as a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Pure Sports Medicine, London’s leading private Sports Medicine clinic, where he also acted as the company's Head of Research. Bradley also spent 3 years as a post-doctoral Research Fellow in Sports & Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary University of London from 2019-2022. He completed his MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy at the University of Hertfordshire in 2011, followed by his PhD at Queen Mary University of London in 2019. His PhD thesis was entitled 'the influence of lower limb biomechanics on the development, persistence and management of patellofemoral pain in recreational runners'. Bradley is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, contributing to their post-graduate physiotherapy programme, and an external examiner at both the University of East Anglia (BSc Physiotherapy) and the University of Ulster (MSc Advanced Practice). He is also an Associate Editor for Physical Therapy in Sport and the Knee. He has published in several leading peer-reviewed journals, including the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Gait & Posture and Physical Therapy in Sport. His main research interests are in patellofemoral pain and other knee pathologies, biomechanics, running-related injury and the epidemiology of musculoskeletal conditions.
Qualifications
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PhD Queen Mary University of London, (2019)
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MSc University of Hertfordshire, (2011)
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BSc University of Hertfordshire, (2006)
Appointments
University of Essex
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Lecturer (Education and Research), Physiotherapy, School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences (1/4/2021 - present)
Other academic
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Visiting Lecturer, Physiotherapy, University of Hertfordshire (4/2/2019 - present)
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Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Sports & Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London (4/2/2019 - 30/11/2022)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Epidemiology of Patellofemoral Pain
What variables are prospectively linked to patellofemoral pain (joint structure, biomechanics, activity exposures).
Mechanisms of Exercise in Patellofemoral Pain
By what mechanisms do different treatments work for patellofemoral pain?
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Applied Anatomy and Pathophysiology (SE117)
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Physiotherapy Led Assessment (SE118)
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Practice-Based Decision Making (SE119)
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Understanding Self and Others (SE120)
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Developing Self and Others (SE231)
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Physiotherapy Led Interventions (SE232)
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Research Methods (SE234)
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Leadership of Self and Others (SE341)
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Preparation for Professional Practice (SE342)
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Research Project (SE343)
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Applied Anatomy and Pathophysiology (SE751)
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Understanding Self and Others (SE752)
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Physiotherapy Led Assessment & Treatment (SE753)
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Critical Enquiry (SE756)
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Leadership of Self and Others (SE758)
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Preparation for Professional Practice (SE759)
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Research Project (SE760)
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Research Project (SE309)
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Research Project (SE318)
Current supervision
Publications
Journal articles (25)
Neal, BS., Bramah, C., McCarthy-Ryan, MF., Moore, IS., Napier, C., Paquette, MR. and Gruber, AH., (2024). Using wearable technology data to explain recreational running injury: A prospective longitudinal feasibility study.. Physical Therapy in Sport. 65, 130-136
Evans, DW., Mear, E., Neal, BS., Waterworth, S. and Liew, BXW., (2024). Words matter: Effects of instructional cues on pressure pain threshold values in healthy people. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 73, 103150-103150
Neal, BS., Lack, SD., Bartholomew, C. and Morrissey, D., (2024). Best practice guide for patellofemoral pain based on synthesis of a systematic review, the patient voice and expert clinical reasoning. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2024-108110-2024
Neal, BS., McManus, CJ., Bradley, WJ., Leaney, SF., Murray, K. and Clark, NC., (2023). The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of lower limb garment-integrated blood flow restriction training in healthy adults.. Physical Therapy in Sport. 60, 9-16
Lack,, SD., Bartholomew, C., North, T., Miller, SC. and Neal, BS., (2023). The effects of a two-week neuromuscular intervention on biopsychosocial variables in people with patellofemoral pain: An observational study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 5, 1087061-
Barber, P., Lack, SD., Bartholomew, C., Curran, AJ., Lowe, CM., Morrissey, D. and Neal, BS., (2022). Patient experience of the diagnosis and management of patellofemoral pain: A qualitative exploration. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 57, 102473-102473
Dhokia, B., Mabin, E., Bradley, WJ. and Neal, B., (2022). The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of upper limb garment-integrated blood flow restriction training in healthy adults. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 8 (1), 34-
Curran, AJ., Neal, BS., Barber, P., Bartholomew, C., Morrissey, D. and Lack, SD., (2022). Clinicians’ experience of the diagnosis and management of patellofemoral pain: A qualitative exploration. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 58, 102530-102530
Neal, BS., Bartholomew, C., Barton, CJ., Morrissey, D. and Lack, SD., (2022). Six treatments have positive effects at three-months for people with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 52 (11), 750-768
Neal, BS., Miller, SC., Goodall, A., Phillips, J., Small, C. and Lack, SD., (2022). Variables associated with successful outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in recreational athletes: A prospective cohort study. The Knee. 39, 29-37
Bazett-Jones, D., Neal, B., Legg, C., Hart, H., Collins, N. and Barton, C., (2022). Kinematic and Kinetic Gait Characteristics in People with Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 53 (2), 519-547
Masci, L., Neal, BS., Wynter Bee, W., Spang, C. and Alfredson, H., (2021). Achilles Scraping and Plantaris Tendon Removal Improves Pain and Tendon Structure in Patients with Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy—A 24 Month Follow-Up Case Series. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10 (12), 2695-2695
Neal, BS., Lack, SD., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffery, A., Miller, S. and Morrissey, D., (2020). Is markerless, smart phone recorded two-dimensional video a clinically useful measure of relevant lower limb kinematics in runners with patellofemoral pain? A validity and reliability study. Physical Therapy in Sport. 43, 36-42
Davis, IS., Tenforde, AS., Neal, BS., Roper, JL. and Willy, RW., (2020). Gait Retraining as an Intervention for Patellofemoral Pain. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 13 (1), 103-114
Masci, L., Alfredson, H., Neal, B. and Wynter Bee, W., (2020). Ultrasound-guided tendon debridement improves pain, function and structure in persistent patellar tendinopathy: short term follow-up of a case series. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine. 6 (1), e000803-e000803
Bartholomew, C., Lack, S. and Neal, B., (2019). Altered pain processing and sensitisation is evident in adults with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review including meta-analysis and meta-regression. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 20 (1), 11-27
Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffery, A. and Morrissey, D., (2019). Increased hip adduction during running is associated with patellofemoral pain and differs between males and females: A case-control study. Journal of Biomechanics. 91, 133-139
Neal, BS., Lack, SD., Lankhorst, NE., Raye, A., Morrissey, D. and van Middelkoop, M., (2019). Risk factors for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 53 (5), 270-281
Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffrey, A., Daley, M. and Morrissey, D., (2018). The effects & mechanisms of increasing running step rate: A feasibility study in a mixed-sex group of runners with patellofemoral pain. Physical Therapy in Sport. 32, 244-251
Lack, S., Neal, B., De Oliveira Silva, D. and Barton, C., (2018). How to manage patellofemoral pain – Understanding the multifactorial nature and treatment options. Physical Therapy in Sport. 32, 155-166
Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Gallie, R., O’Halloran, P. and Morrissey, D., (2016). Runners with patellofemoral pain have altered biomechanics which targeted interventions can modify: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait & Posture. 45, 69-82
Barton, CJ., Bonanno, DR., Carr, J., Neal, BS., Malliaras, P., Franklyn-Miller, A. and Menz, HB., (2016). Running retraining to treat lower limb injuries: a mixed-methods study of current evidence synthesised with expert opinion. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 50 (9), 513-526
Dowling, GJ., Murley, GS., Munteanu, SE., Smith, MMF., Neal, BS., Griffiths, IB., Barton, CJ. and Collins, NJ., (2014). Dynamic foot function as a risk factor for lower limb overuse injury: a systematic review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 7 (1), 53-
Neal, BS., Griffiths, IB., Dowling, GJ., Murley, GS., Munteanu, SE., Franettovich Smith, MM., Collins, NJ. and Barton, CJ., (2014). Foot posture as a risk factor for lower limb overuse injury: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 7 (1), 55-
Neal, BS. and Longbottom, J., (2012). Is There a Role for Acupuncture in the Treatment of Tendinopathy?. Acupuncture in Medicine. 30 (4), 346-349
Conferences (3)
Llurda-Almuzara, L., Lewis, C., Taylor, M., Neal, B. and Clark, N., Isokinetic Eccentric Quadriceps Muscle Performance Assessment in Patellofemoral Joint Primary and Secondary Injury Prevention: An Intra-Rater Reliability and Standard Error of Measurement Pilot Study
Neal, B., Bramah, C., McCarthy-Ryan, M., Moore, I., Napier, C., Paquette, M. and Gruber, A., (2024). 19 Using wearable technology data to explain recreational running injury: a prospective longitudinal feasibility study
Neal, B., Bartholomew, C., Barton, C., Morrissey, D. and Lack, S., (2022). 63 Numerous treatments are efficacious for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Grants and funding
2024
Is online patient education feasible in people with patellofemoral pain whilst they wait for physiotherapy: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust
2023
The effects of partial limb occlusion applied using garment-integrated blood flow restriction on recovery following an exercise induced muscle damage protocol
Hytro Limited
Defining and Translating best physiotherapy practice for common musculoskeletal conditions, a mixed methods evidence translation programme
Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation
2022
A best practice guide for kneecap pain, combining systematic review, clinical expert perspectives and the patient voice for genuine benefit
University of Essex (CPPE)
