We focus on generating research-based knowledge which improve the health and care of people who have, or are at risk of developing, musculoskeletal health conditions.

Our research priorities include clinical trials, evaluating effect of treatment for people with musculoskeletal conditions, population health and prevention research, as well as registry studies, health literacy and coping, user involvement in research and dissemination.

Our group is multidisciplinary and incorporate a wide range of different methods; from epidemiology and randomised placebo-controlled trials to laboratory science and genetics.

Projects

Clinical trials

  • BackToBasic.
    TNF alfa blocker treatment of chronic low-back pain with Modic changes, a randomized double blind multicenter placebo-controlled trial.
  • The AIM-study; Antibiotics In Modic changes.
    Antibiotic treatment of chronic low-back pain with Modic changes, a randomised double blind multicenter placebo controlled trial.
  • The NORDSTEN-study; the NORwegian Degenerative spinal STENosis-trial.
    A multicenter study, embracing two RCT’s evaluating different surgical technics and one observational cohort in patients with spinal stenosis with - or without -  degenerative slip.
  • The MI-NAV project: Can Motivational Interviewing facilitate Return-to-Work in sicklisted people with musculoskeletal disorders?
    A randomised trial within NAV
  • LIFEHAB; The Lumbar Interbody Fusion vs. Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation trial.
    A multicentre RCT evaluating the effect of fusion surgery versus multidisciplinary rehabilitations in patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative changes seen on MRI.
  • Epigenetic and molecular biomarkers in chronic low back pain and Modic changes.
    A case-control study in patients with and without Modic changes scheduled for elective surgery in the lumbar spine.

Epidemiology and registry studies

  • Childbirth, hormonal factors and low back pain.
    A prospective epidemiological survey using data from HUNT.
  • The ACL/HUNT studies.
    A study of risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in Norwegian adolescents and young adults.
  • BACE; Back Pain in Elderly.
    A prospective cohort study of older people visiting primary care with a new episode of back pain.
  • Neck surgery in Norway.
    A register study of benchmarks for clinical improvement and prognostic models for cervical degenerative disorders - for non-success in operated patients.
  • Physical activity and sport participation during adolescence and musculoskeletal complaints in adulthood.
    A population-based cohort study using Young-HUNT data.
  • Killing pain?
    Use of analgesic, sedative and anxiolytic medication and the development of psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adulthood, in relation to trauma.  
  • PATHWAY.
    Children’s pathways after trauma for health and well-being through adolescence and young adulthood.

Mixed methods

  • Cross cultural validation of outcome measurement tool and evaluation of treatment options for patients with plantar fasciopathy.
  • Illness perceptions and coping with chronic illness.
  • People with intellectual disabilities and vulnerabilities for harmful sexual behavior and abuse.
  • AID-Spine.
    Applying Artificial Intelligence in Developing Personalized and Sustainable Healthcare for Spinal Disorders.
  • Nothing About Us Without Us: Research Priorities from Patients with musculoskeletal diseases.
    A James Lind Alliance project for Public and Patient Involvement, PPI.

Cooperation

The group is engaged in several projects with national and international partners.

National

UiO and OUH

  • Division of Orthopaedic surgery; Christian Hellum and Mads P Rolfsen
  • Dept. of Clinical Neurophysiology; Kristian Bernhard Nilsen
  • Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Jens Ivar Brox
  • Dept. of Clinical Microbiology; Karianne Gammelsrud
  • Dept. of Medical Genetics; Benedicte Alexandra Lie

Norwegian centre for violence and traumatic stress studies 

  • Grete Dyb and Helene Aakvaag

UiB and Haukeland University Hospital 

  • Ansgar Espeland, Ivar Austevoll, Per M Kristoffersen, Kari Indrekvam, Frode Rekeland, Magnhild Dagestad, Thomas E Kadar and Jörg Assmus

NTNU and St. Olav's Hospital 

  • Gunn Hege Marchand and Fredrik Granviken

UiS and Stavanger University Hospital

  • Clemens Weber and Eric Franssen

The Artic University of Norway and University hospital of North-Norway

  • Tore Solberg and Gunnstein Bakland

OsloMet 

  • Britt Elin Øiestad, Anne Therese Tveter, Tarjei Rysstad, Alexander Tingulstad, Rikke M Killingmo, Henriette Jahre, Bjørnar Berg, Per Solvang, Kaja Smedbråten and Lise Grethe Kjønø

Norwegian Institute of Public Health

  • Andrew Garratt, Karin Magnusson and Svetlana Skurtveit

Diakonhjemmet Hospital, REMEDY

  • Collaborators in WP7

Østfold Hospital Trust

  • Anne J Haugen and Lars Grøvle

Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Ålesund

  • Erland Hermansen and Jørn Aarøen

  • Ahus, Akershus University Hospital

  • Oliver Grundnes and Sverre Mjønes

Ryggforeningen i Norge 

  • Thor Einar Holmgard and Inger Ljøstad

The Norwegian Council for Musculoskeletal Health

International

  • Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden; Helena Brisby
  • Linköping University, Sweden; Allan Abbott
  • University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Jan Hartvigsen and Stine Clausen
  • University of Oulu, Finland; Jaro Karppinen
  • University of Sydney, Australia; Chris Maher
  • Monash University, Australia; Rachel Buchbinder
  • Erasmus Univesity Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Bart Koes and Alessandro Chiarotto
  • The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Raymond Ostelo and Mauritz van Tulder