Professor William Gibson

BSc, MPhty, GCert Uni L&T, PhD
National Head of School, Professor

Email: william.gibson@nd.edu.au
Phone: 9433 0589

  • Biography

    William Gibson is a qualified Physiotherapist with a background in private musculoskeletal practice and hospital based Physiotherapy. Following initial training, he completed a Master of Manipulative therapy before undertaking a PhD in the field of muscle and tendon pain. He has a long track record of academic and research outputs. He has been head of Health Sciences since the School was formed earlier this year.

  • Teaching Areas

    • Evidence-Based Practice
    • Pathophysiology
    • Pain

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    Five PhD and one MPhil completion. Over 20 successful Honours supervision projects.
    Most projects past and ongoing are in the area of musculoskeletal pain, pain mechanisms and systematic reviews.

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • Mankelow J , Ryan C, Taylor p, Casey M, Naisby J, Thompson K, McVeigh JG,  Seenan C, Cooper K, Hendrick P, Brown D, Gibson W, Travers M, Kennedy N, O'Riordan C, Martin D. International, multi-disciplinary, cross-section study of pain knowledge and attitudes in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions students. BMC Med Educ. 2022 Jul 15;22(1):547. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03488-3.
    • O’Connell NE, Ferraro MC, Gibson W, Rice A, Vase L, Coyle D, Eccleston C. Implanted spinal neuromodulation interventions for chronic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, Dec 2021 epub ahead of print Dec 2;12(12):CD013756.  doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013756.pub2
    • Murphy, M; Gibson, W; Moseley, GL; Rio, E. Are you translating research into clinical practice? What to think about when it does not seem to be working. BJSM 2021 e-published of print doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.10.015
    • Murphy, M; Rio, E; Chivers, P; Debenham, J; Docking, S; Travers, M; Gibson, William. Do people with unilateral mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy who participate in running-related physical activity exhibit a meaningful conditioned pain modulation (CPM) effect: a pilot study. J Sci and Med in Sport 2020 e-published ahead of print doi:bjsports-2020-102369. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102369
    • Murphy, M; Gibson, W; Chivers, P; Docking, S; Rio, E. Considerations for multi-centre conditioned pain modulation (CPM) research; an investigation of the inter-rater reliability, level of agreement and confounders for the Achilles tendon and Triceps Surae. Br J Pain 2020 e-published ahead of print doi: doi.org/10.1177/2049463720912208
    • Muhsen A, Moss P, Gibson W, Walker B, Jacques A, Schug S, Wright A. The Influence of a Positive Empathetic Interaction on Conditioned Pain Modulation and Manipulation-induced Analgesia in People With Lateral Epicondylalgia. Clin J Pain. 2020 Jun;36(6):411-419. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000822.PMID: 32079999
    • Travers MJ, O'Connell NE, Tugwell P, Eccleston C, Gibson W. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain: the opportunity to begin again. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Apr 22;4:ED000139. doi: 10.1002/14651858.ED000139.PMID: 32323312 No abstract available.
    • Gucciardi, D. F., Weixian, J. C., Gibson, W., Ntoumanis, N., & Ng, L. (2020). Motivational climate in the classroom: Factorial and convergent validity evidence of the Need-Supportive Behaviors Scale with health science students. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 36(2), 324–335.
    • Palsson TS, Gibson W, Darlow B, Bunzli S, Lehman G, Rabey M, Moloney N, Vaegter HB, Bagg MK, Travers M.Author Response to Cibulka. Phys Ther. 2020 Apr 2:pzaa047. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa047. Online ahead of print.PMID: 32242632 No abstract available.
    • Palsson TS, Gibson W, Darlow B, Bunzli S, Lehman G, Rabey M, Moloney N, Vaegter HB, Bagg MK, Travers M. Changing the Narrative in Diagnosis and Management of Pain in the Sacroiliac Joint Area. Phys Ther. 2019 Nov 25;99(11):1511-1519. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz108.PMID: 31355883
    • Muhsen A, Moss P, Gibson W, Walker B, Jacques A, Schug S, Wright A. The Association Between Conditioned Pain Modulation and Manipulation-induced Analgesia in People With Lateral Epicondylalgia. Clin J Pain. 2019 May;35(5):435-442. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000696.PMID: 30801339 Free PMC article.
    • Travers MJ, Murphy MC, Debenham JR, Chivers P, Bulsara MK, Bagg MK, Palsson TS, Gibson W. Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 1: exploring treatment effect and trustworthiness.Br J Sports Med. 2019 Dec;53(23):1488-1492. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099958. Epub 2019 Apr 8.PMID: 30962182 No abstract available.
    • Travers MJ, Murphy MC, Debenham JR, Chivers P, Bulsara MK, Bagg MK, Palsson TS, Gibson W. Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 2: exploring the role of the comparator, diversity, risk of bias and confidence.Br J Sports Med. 2019 Dec;53(23):1493-1497. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099959. Epub 2019 Apr 8.PMID: 30962181 No abstract available.
    • Gibson W, Wand BM, Meads C, Catley MJ, O’Connell NE. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain – an overview of Cochrane reviews (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: 2019 Issue 2. Art No. CD011890. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011890
    • Murphy MC, Travers MJ, Chivers P, Debenham JR, Docking SI, Rio EK, Gibson W. Efficacy of heavy eccentric calf training for treating mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2019 Jan
    • Gibson W, Palsson TS, Coopes E, Wand BM, Travers MJ. Thrust manipulation may not decrease the intensity of chronic low back pain. Letter to the editor regarding "Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis" by Coulter et al. Spine J. 2018 Oct;18(10):1961-1963. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2018.05.039. PubMed PMID: 30442417.
    • Murphy M, Travers M, Gibson W, Chivers P, Debenham J, Docking S, Rio E. Rate of Improvement of Pain and Function in Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy with Loading Protocols: A Systematic Review and Longitudinal Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2018 Aug;48(8):1875-1891. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0932-2. PubMed PMID:29766442.
    • Murphy M, Rio E, Debenham J, Docking S, Travers M, Gibson W. Evaluating the progress of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy during rehabilitation: A review of outcome measures for muscle structure and function, tendon structure and neural and pain associated mechanisms.  Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018 Jun;13(3):537-551.PubMed PMID: 30038840; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6044591.
    • Travers M, Moss P, Gibson W, Hince D, Yorke S, Chung C, Langford R, Tan EEW, Ng J, Palsson TS. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia in women with varying levels of menstrual pain. Scand J Pain. 2018 Apr 25;18(2):303-310. doi:10.1515/sjpain-2018-0020. PubMed PMID: 29794304.
    • van Selm MJ, Gibson WI, Travers MJ, Moseley GL, Hince D, Wand BM. Visually induced analgesia in a deep tissue experimental pain model: A randomised crossover experiment. Eur J Pain. 2018 Apr 20. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1234. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29676836.
    • Palsson TS, Caneiro JP, Hirata RP, Griffin D, Gibson W, Travers MJ. Commentary: Trunk Muscle Activity during Drop Jump Performance in Adolescent Athletes with Back Pain. Front Physiol. 2018 Apr 16;9:298. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00298. eCollection 2018. PubMed PMID: 29755359; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5932380.
    • Murphy M, Travers M, Gibson W. Is heavy eccentric calf training superior to wait-and-see, sham rehabilitation, traditional physiotherapy and other exercise interventions for pain and function in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy? Syst Rev. 2018 Apr 13;7(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13643-018-0725-6. PubMed PMID: 29653591; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5899347.
    • Murphy M, Rio E, Debenham J, Docking S, Travers M, Gibson W. Evaluating the progress of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy during rehabilitation: A review of outcome measures for self-reported pain and function. . Int J Sports Phys Ther.2018 Apr;13(2):283-292. PubMed PMID: 30090686; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6063067.
    • Gibson W, Moss P, Cheng TH, Garnier A, Wright A, Wand BM. Endogenous Pain Modulation Induced by Extrinsic and Intrinsic Psychological Threat in Healthy Individuals. J Pain. 2018 Mar;19(3):330-339. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.004. Epub 2017 Dec 2. PubMed PMID: 29191774.
    • Travers MJ, Bagg MK, Gibson W, O'Sullivan K, Palsson TS. Better than what? Comparisons in low back pain clinical trials. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Feb 2. pii: bjsports-2017-098130. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098130. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29420237.
    • Kenworthy P, Phillips M, Grisbrook TL, Gibson W, Wood FM, Edgar DW. Monitoring wound healing in minor burns-A novel approach. Burns. 2018 Feb;44(1):70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2017.06.007. Epub 2017 Aug 4. PubMed PMID: 28784342.
    • Kenworthy P, Phillips M, Grisbrook TL, Gibson W, Wood FM, Edgar DW. An objective measure for the assessment and management of fluid shifts in acute major burns. Burns Trauma. 2018 Jan 17;6:3. doi: 10.1186/s41038-017-0105-9. eCollection 2018. PubMed PMID: 30009191; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6040607.
    • Kenworthy P, Grisbrook TL, Phillips M, Gittings P, Wood FM, Gibson W, Edgar DW. Bioimpedance spectroscopy: A technique to monitor interventions for swelling in minor burns. Burns. 2017 Dec;43(8):1725-1735. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.04.022. Epub 2017 Aug 7. PubMed PMID: 28781137.
    • Kenworthy P, Grisbrook TL, Phillips M, Gibson W, Wood FM, Edgar DW. Addressing the Barriers to Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Use in Major Burns: Alternate Electrode Placement. J Burn Care Res. 2017 Nov/Dec;38(6):e952-e959. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0000000000000527. PubMed PMID: 28328660.
    • Gibson W, Wand BM, O'Connell NE. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Sep 14;9:CD011976. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011976.pub2. Review. PubMed PMID: 28905362.
    • Dayal M, Owens J, Gibson W, Strkalj G. Anatomical knowledge retention in Physiotherapy students: A preliminary assessment. International Journal of Anatomy and Research. 2017;5(1):3474-79.
    • Wand BM, Elliott RL, Sawyer AE, Spence R, Beales DJ, O'Sullivan PB, Smith AJ, Gibson W. Disrupted body-image and pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. A preliminary investigation. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017 Aug;30:49-55. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 May 17. PubMed PMID: 28531793.
    • Debenham JR, Gibson WI, Travers MJ, Campbell AC, Allison GT. Modulation of Stretch-Shortening-Cycle Behavior With Eccentric Loading of Triceps Surae: A Possible Therapeutic Mechanism. J Sport Rehabil. 2017 Apr;26(2):151-158. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2015-0129. Epub 2016 Aug 24. PubMed PMID: 27632850.
    • Caneiro JP, Smith A, O'Sullivan K, O'Keeffe M, Dankaerts W, Fersum K, Gibson W, Wand BM, O'Sullivan P. RE: "Low back pain misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis: Core principles" (Monie AP, Fazey PJ, Singer KP. Manual Therapy 22 (2016) 68-71). Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017 Apr;28:e1-e2. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.09.006. Epub 2016 Sep 23. PubMed PMID: 27720322.
    • O'Connell NE, Wand BM, Gibson W, Carr DB, Birklein F, Stanton TR. Local anaesthetic sympathetic blockade for complex regional pain syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jul 28;7:CD004598. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004598.pub4. Review. PubMed PMID: 27467116.
    • Edgar S & Gibson W. Student feedback on learning and teaching: The value of focus groups. Focus on Health Professional Education. 2016; 17 (2).
    • Debenham J, Travers M, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. Eccentric Fatigue Modulates Stretch-shortening Cycle Effectiveness--A Possible Role in Lower Limb Overuse Injuries. Int J Sports Med. 2016 Jan;37(1):50-5. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549923. Epub 2015 Oct 28. PubMed PMID: 26509368.
    • Debenham JR, Travers MJ, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison GT. Achilles tendinopathy alters stretch shortening cycle behaviour during a sub-maximal hopping task. J Sci Med Sport. 2016 Jan;19(1):69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.391. Epub 2014 Dec 3. PubMed PMID: 25496733.
    • Connaughton J, Gibson W. Physiotherapy Students' Attitudes toward Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study. Physiother Can. 2016;68(2):172-178. PubMed PMID: 27909364; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5125484.
    • Connaughton J, Gibson W. Do Physiotherapists Have the Skill to Engage in the "Psychological" in the Bio-Psychosocial Approach? Physiother Can.2016;68(4):377-382. PubMed PMID: 27904237; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5125500.
    • Gibson W, Wand BM, O’Connell NE. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neuropathic pain in adults (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: 2015 Issue 11. Art. No.: CD011976. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011976
    • Catley MJ, Gibson W, Wand BM, Meads C, O’Connell NE. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain – an overview of Cochrane reviews (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: 2015 Issue 9. Art. No.: CD011890. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011890.
    • Dieterich AV, Pickard CM, Deshon LE, Strauss GR, Gibson W, Davey P, McKay J. M-mode ultrasound used to detect the onset of deep muscle activity. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2015 Apr;25(2):224-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.12.006. Epub 2015 Jan 12. PubMed PMID: 25636500.
    • Locke D, Gibson W, Moss P, Munyard K, Mamotte C, Wright A. Analysis of meaningful conditioned pain modulation effect in a pain-free adult population. J Pain. 2014 Nov;15(11):1190-1198. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.09.001. Epub 2014 Sep 18. PubMed PMID: 25241218.
    • Dieterich AV, Pickard CM, Strauss GR, Deshon LE, Gibson W, McKay J. Muscle thickness measurements to estimate gluteus medius and minimus activity levels. Man Ther. 2014 Oct;19(5):453-60. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.04.014. Epub 2014 May 10. PubMed PMID:
      24880207.
    • Travers MJ, Debenham J, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison GT. Stability of lower limb minimal perceptible difference in floor height during hopping stretch-shortening cycles. Physiol Meas. 2013 Oct;34(10):1375-86. doi:10.1088/0967-3334/34/10/1375. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PubMed PMID: 24045537.
    • Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. No evidence hip joint angle modulates intrinsically produced stretch reflex in human hopping. Gait Posture. 2013 Sep;38(4):1005-9. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.05.007. Epub 2013 Jun 21. PubMed PMID: 23791780.
    • Mitchinson L, Campbell A, Oldmeadow D, Gibson W, Hopper D. Comparison of upper arm kinematics during a volleyball spike between players with and without a history of shoulder injury. J Appl Biomech. 2013 Apr;29(2):155-64. Epub 2012 Jul 6. PubMed PMID: 22814300.
    • Ayles S, Graven-Nielsen T, Gibson W. Vibration-induced afferent activity augments delayed onset muscle allodynia. J Pain. 2011 Aug;12(8):884-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2011.02.355. Epub 2011 Jun 12. PubMed PMID: 21665552.
    • Slater H, Gibson W, Graven-Nielsen T. Sensory responses to mechanically and chemically induced tendon pain in healthy subjects. Eur J Pain. 2011 Feb;15(2):146-52. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.06.010. Epub 2010 Jul 6. PubMed PMID: 20599405.
    • Gibson W, Arendt-Nielsen L, Taguchi T, Mizumura K, Graven-Nielsen T. Increased pain from muscle fascia following eccentric exercise: animal and human findings. Exp Brain Res. 2009 Apr;194(2):299-308. doi: 10.1007/s00221-008-1699-8. Epub 2009 Jan 21. PubMed PMID: 19156402.
    • Gibson W, Arendt-Nielsen L, Sessle BJ, Graven-Nielsen T. Glutamate and capsaicin-induced pain, hyperalgesia and modulatory interactions in human tendon tissue. Exp Brain Res. 2009 Apr;194(2):173-82. doi: 10.1007/s00221-008-1683-3. Epub 2009 Jan 13. PubMed PMID: 19139865.

  • Conference Papers

    • Developing meaningful feedback to large class sizes via short answer assessment. Gibson W, Yorke JD and Wilkinson H. (2010) Presentation & full paper presented at the Enhancing Learning Experiences in Higher Education Conference, Hong Kong, 2-3 December.
    • Towards sustainable marking practices and improved quality of feedback in short answer assessments. Yorke J.D, Gibson W, & Wilkinson H. (2010) Presentation & full paper presented at the 2010 ATN Assessment Conference, Sydney.

  • Professional Affiliations

    Australian Physiotherapy Association
    Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia