Dr Mervyn Travers

Senior Lecturer
PhD, BSc (Physiotherapy), Masters of Manipulative Therapy, ASCA (Level 2)

  • Biography

    Mervyn joined The University of Notre Dame Australia in 2016. He is a physiotherapist and a qualified strength and conditioning coach with extensive clinical experience including working in professional rugby union. He completed his physiotherapy degree at University College Dublin in 2005. In 2008, he completed a Masters in Manipulative Therapy and in 2014 he completed his PhD, both at Curtin University.

    He has extensive teaching experience contributing to many teaching areas including anatomy, pain neuroscience and exercise rehabilitation. He currently co-ordinates PHTY2000 Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy and co-ordinates the Physiotherapy Honours Programme.

    His research focusses on understanding pain and person’s with longstanding pain including low back pain, tendon pain and knee osteoarthritis.

  • Teaching Areas

    • Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy
    • Anatomy
    • Pain Neuroscience
    • Exercise Rehabilitation

  • Research Expertise and Supervision

    Merv is currently involved in supervision of multiple PhD and Honours students.

    He has supervised over 10 Honours students and 6 postgraduate research group projects to successful completion.

    He is also conducting independent research in the areas of low back pain, predictive processing and pain, and exercise rehabilitation.

  • Journal Articles and Proceedings

    • 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 of Systematic Reviews. 2020(4). doi: 10.1002/14651858.ED000139. PubMed PMID: ED000139.
    • Travers MJ, Murphy MC, Debenham JR, Chivers P, Bulsara MK, Bagg MK, et al. Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 2: exploring the role of the comparator, diversity, risk of bias and confidence. British journal of sports medicine. 2019:bjsports-2018-099959. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099959 %J British Journal of Sports Medicine.
    • Travers MJ, Murphy MC, Debenham JR, Chivers P, Bulsara MK, Bagg MK, et al. Should this systematic review and meta-analysis change my practice? Part 1: exploring treatment effect and trustworthiness. British journal of sports medicine. 2019:bjsports-2018-099958. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099958 %J British Journal of Sports Medicine.
    • Palsson TS, Gibson W, Darlow B, Bunzli S, Lehman G, Rabey M, et al. Changing the Narrative in Diagnosis and Management of Pain in the Sacroiliac Joint Area. Physical Therapy. 2019. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzz108.
    • Palsson Thorvaldur S, Travers Mervyn J, Rafn T, Ingemann-Molden S, Caneiro JP, Christensen Steffan W. The use of posture-correcting shirts for managing musculoskeletal pain is not supported by current evidence – a scoping review of the literature. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 2019;0(0). doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2019-0005.
    • Murphy MC, Travers MJ, Chivers P, Debenham JR, Docking SI, Rio EK, et al. Efficacy of heavy eccentric calf training for treating mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine. 2019:bjsports-2018-099934. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099934.
    • Head J, Mallows A, Debenham J, Travers MJ, Allen L. The efficacy of loading programmes for improving patient-reported outcomes in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review. Musculoskeletal care. 2019;n/a(n/a). doi: 10.1002/msc.1428.
    • Debenham J, Krummenacher S, Skinner I, Hince D, Travers M, Wand B. Motor imagery training decreases pain on loading in people with moderate Achilles tendinopathy: A preliminary randomised cross-over experiment. Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. 2019;9(4). doi: 10.32098/mltj.04.2019.08.
    • 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. European Journal of Pain. 2018;0(0). doi: doi:10.1002/ejp.1234.
    • Travers MJ, Bagg MK, Gibson W, O’Sullivan K, Palsson TS. Better than what? Comparisons in low back pain clinical trials. British journal of sports medicine. 2018. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098130.
    • Travers M, Moss P, Gibson W, Hince D, Yorke S, Chung C, et al. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia in women with varying levels of menstrual pain. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 2018;18(2):303. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2018-0020.
    • 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. Frontiers in Physiology. 2018;9(298). doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00298.
    • Newman T, Murphy M, Chivers P, Reyburn J, Travers M. Adductor-related groin pain and workload in semi-elite Australian Footballers; Challenges of the acute: chronic workload ratio. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2018;21:S64. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.146.
    • Murphy M, Travers M, Gibson W, Chivers P, Debenham J, Docking S, et al. The prognosis for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy with rehabilitation: A systematic review and longitudinal meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2018;21:S83. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.191.
    • Murphy M, Travers M, Gibson W, Chivers P, Debenham J, Docking S, et al. Rate of Improvement of Pain and Function in Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy with Loading Protocols: A Systematic Review and Longitudinal Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine. 2018. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0932-2.
    • 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? Systematic Reviews. 2018;7(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13643-018-0725-6.
    • Murphy M, Travers M, Chivers P, Debenham J, Docking S, Rio E, et al. Is heavy eccentric calf training our best option for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2018;21:S83. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.09.190.
    • 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. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2018;13(3). doi: 10.26603/ijspt20180283.
    • 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. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2018;12(2):283 - 92. doi: 10.26603/ijspt20180283.
    • 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. The Spine Journal. 2018;18(10):1961-3. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2018.05.039.
    • Murphy M, Rio E, Debenham J, Docking S, Travers M, Gibson W. Assessing the progress of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy during rehabilitation: What should clinicians be using? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2017;20:38. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.09.268.
    • 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. Journal of sport rehabilitation. 2017;26(2):151-8. Epub 2016/09/17. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2015-0129. PubMed PMID: 27632850.
    • Debenham JR, Travers MJ, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison GT. Achilles tendinopathy alters stretch shortening cycle behaviour during a sub-maximal hopping task. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2016;19(1):69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.391.
    • 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. International journal of sports medicine. 2016;37(1):50-5. Epub 2015/10/29. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549923. PubMed PMID: 26509368.
    • 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. Physiological measurement. 2013;34(10):1375-86. Epub 2013/09/21. doi: 10.1088/0967-3334/34/10/1375. PubMed PMID: 24045537.

  • Conference Papers

    • Physiotherapy Association (APA) Transform; Adelaide, Australia
    • Travers M J, editor Not too light, not too heavy….getting the intensity right. (2019) Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Transform; 2019; Adelaide, Australia.
    • Travers M J. Just lift it… Demystifying strength training for physiotherapists. (2019) Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Transform; Adelaide, Australia.
    • Travers M, Gibson W, Darlow B, Stanton T, Moseley L, Palsson T, et al. (2019) My back is fragile and it is never getting better. Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Transform; Adelaide, Australia.
    • assessment and feedback system to drive learning in an anatomy unit. WAND Teaching and Learning Forum 2018; Fremantle, Western Australia.
    • Murphy, M., Rio, E., Chivers, P., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Travers, M., & Gibson, W. (2017). The rate of improvement of pain and function in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy with loading protocols: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol. Paper presented at the Australian Physiotherapy Association ACT Research Symposium, Canberra, Australia.
    • Murphy, M., Rio, E., Debenham, J., Docking, S., Travers, M., & Gibson, W. (2017). Assessing the progress of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy during rehabilitation: what should clinicians we using? Paper presented at the Sports Medicine Australia National Conference, Langkawi, Malaysia.
    • Grisbrook T, Cui L, Travers M, Debenham J, Allison G. (2014) Estimates of leg stiffness and joint stiffness during low-load plyometrics.  European College of Sports Science; Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    • Debenham J, Travers M, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. (2014)  Achilles Tendinopathy Alters Stretch Shortening Cycle Behaviour During A Sub-maximal Hopping Task. British journal of sports medicine. 2014;48(Suppl 2):A19-A20. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094114.30.
    • Debenham J, Travers M, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. (2014)  Eccentric Fatigue Alters Stretch-shortening Cycle Behaviour During A Sub-maximal Hopping Task. British journal of sports medicine. 2014;48(Suppl 2):A18-A9. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094114.28.
    • Travers M, Debenham J, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. (2013) Conscious drive to stiffen the leg spring –  Conscious  drive for an internal challenge.  1st International Congress on Sports Sciences Research and Technology Support (ICSPORTS); Villamoura, Portugal
    • Travers M, Debenham J, Gibson W, Campbell A, Allison G. (2013) If prorioception is relevant to locomotion, then why test it standing still?  1st International Congress on Sports Sciences Research and Technology Support (ICSPORTS); Villamoura, Portugal.

    Speaking Engagements

    • Invited Guest Speaker * 2021 Healthia Inspired Conference, Brisbane, Australia
    • Invited Keynote * 2020 University of Queensland Sports Masters Physiotherapy Conference, Online Presentation
    • Invited Keynote: 3x10; 60% of the time, it works everytime * 2020 LifeReady Thought Leaders Conference
    • Keynote: Getting strong: a practical guide for physiotherapists * 2019 Australian Physiotherapy Association WA Branch, Perth, Australia
    • Just lift it – a 2-part series on integrating S&C principles with rehabilitation * 2018 Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) WA Symposium, Perth, Australia
    • Lift, rest, repeat – optimal gym based rehabilitation for physiotherapists * 2018 WA State Podiatry Conference
    • Loading for Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) - Where are we AT? * 2017 Exercise Sports Science Australia (ESSA) WA Symposium, Perth, Australia
    • Tendon pain as a symptom of failed loading * 2015 Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) WA State Conference o Achilles Tendinopathy – A comprehensive rehabilitation model from acute pain to high performance

  • Awards

    • 2019 Australian Physiotherapy Association, Best Paper (Early Career Research) award for the pain stream at APA Transform Conference, Adelaide

  • Professional Affiliations

    Member of Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) special interest groups:

    • MPA
    • SPA
    • Pain Group

  • Others

    Blogs about my research: