Dr Simon Summers
Faculty of Health,
School of Biomedical Sciences
Biography
Dr Simon Summers is a Senior Lecturer in Human Anatomy and Physiology at Queensland University of Technology. He completed an undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science with Honours (Class 1) in 2016 and his PhD in pain neurophysiology in 2020, both at Western Sydney University. His primary research interest is understanding the role of the brain in the persistence of pain, both in clinical and elite athletic populations. Using various neuroimaging techniques, his work has determined the importance of motor cortex plasticity in the transition from acute to chronic pain. Current research is focused on using brain-based treatments, such as non-invasive brain stimulation, to facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for musculoskeletal and neurological disorders.
He supervises higher degree research students, and has current research interests in the following areas:
- Brain stimulation adjunct to exercise for the treatment of pain
- Investigating sensorimotor deficits in people with musculoskeletal conditions
- Investigating interoception and body awareness in people with chronic pain
- Perioperative health determinants that impact outcomes post spinal surgery
- Optimising neuroplasticity mechanisms to improve rehabilitation
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Personal details
Positions
- Lecturer in Human Anatomy and Physiology
Faculty of Health,
School of Biomedical Sciences
Keywords
Chronic pain, Non-invasive Brain Stimulation, Neurophysiology, Pain Education, Experimental Pain, Exercise Rehabilitation
Research field
Neurosciences, Clinical sciences, Sports science and exercise
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2020
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Western Sydney University)
- Bachelor Sport and Exercise Science (Hons 1) (Western Sydney University)
Professional memberships and associations
International Association for the Study of Pain
Australian Pain Society Scientific Program Committee Member
Sports Medicine Australia
Teaching
I coordinate and teach unit content relating to anatomy and physiology to students enrolled in clinical and biomedical science disciplines:
- LQB185: Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals
- LSB258: Principles of Human Physiology
Experience
Adjunct Research Fellow at Western Sydney University
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Indigenous Knowledges)
Publications
- Stillianesis, G., Cavaleri, R., Tang, C. & Summers, S. (2022). Exploring Patient Perceptions of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: A Systematic Review. Neuromodulation, 25(4), 487–493. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231980
- Summers, S., Antcliff, S., Waddington, G. & Wallwork, S. (2022). Reliability and learning effects of repeated exposure to the Bertec Balance Advantage sensory organisation test in healthy individuals. Gait and Posture, 93, 205–211. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231978
- Siddall, B., Ram, A., Jones, M., Booth, J., Perriman, D. & Summers, S. (2022). Short-term impact of combining pain neuroscience education with exercise for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain, 163(1). https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231976
- Yap, Z., Summers, S., Grant, A., Moseley, G. & Karran, E. (2022). The role of the social determinants of health in outcomes of surgery for low back pain: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. The Spine Journal, 22(5), 793–809. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231979
- Summers, S., Chalmers, K., Wallwork, S., Leake, H. & Moseley, G. (2021). Interrogating cortical representations in elite athletes with persistent posterior thigh pain - New targets for intervention? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24(2), 135–140. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231982
- Stankevicius, A., Wallwork, S., Summers, S., Hordacre, B. & Stanton, T. (2021). Prevalence and incidence of phantom limb pain, phantom limb sensations and telescoping in amputees: A systematic rapid review. European Journal of Pain (United Kingdom), 25(1), 23–38. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233535
- Cavaleri, R., Chipchase, L., Summers, S., Chalmers, J. & Schabrun, S. (2021). The Relationship Between Corticomotor Reorganization and Acute Pain Severity: A Randomized, Controlled Study Using Rapid Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Mapping. Pain Medicine, 22(6), 1312–1323. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231974
- Borovskis, J., Cavaleri, R., Blackstock, F. & Summers, S. (2021). Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Accelerates The Onset of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Pain, 22(3), 263–274. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231972
- Summers, S., Chalmers, K., Cavaleri, R. & Chipchase, L. (2020). Fear of movement is associated with corticomotor depression in response to acute experimental muscle pain. Experimental Brain Research, 238(9), 1945–1955. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231970
- Summers, S., Chipchase, L., Hirata, R., Graven-Nielsen, T., Cavaleri, R. & Schabrun, S. (2019). Motor adaptation varies between individuals in the transition to sustained pain. Pain, 160(9), 2115–2125. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/232144
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Simon, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Supervision
Looking for a postgraduate research supervisor?
I am currently accepting research students for Honours, Masters and PhD study.
You can browse existing student topics offered by QUT or propose your own topic.
Current supervisions
- Understanding incidence and risk factors of post-surgical complications following lumbar spine surgery
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor James McGree - Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Neuroscience, Motor Learning
MPhil, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Dr Fatemeh Chehrehasa - Exploring whether home-based neuromodulation can boost the analgesic effects of exercise in knee osteoarthritis
MPhil, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Graham Kerr - Investigating the Effects of Experimentally induced Acute Low Back Pain on Proprioception
MPhil, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Graham Kerr
The supervisions listed above are only a selection.