Sionnadh McLean

Sionnadh is a Reader in Physiotherapy in the Allied Health Professions Department. She leads the Rehabilitation Theme Lead, supervises PhD students, supports the development of research across the AHP department and undertakes research predominantly in the area of "rehabilitation adherence" and "neck and upper limb disability." She is the MSc Manual Therapy course leader, and teaches across the physiotherapy curriculum to undergraduate physiotherapist to doctoral level students.

Sionnadh qualified as a physiotherapist in 1994 at Birmingham University, gained her Masters in Manipulative Physiotherapy in 1999 at the University of Queensland, and then subsequently completed my PhD in 2007 at the University of Hull. Her doctoral level research was related to the conservative management of non-specific neck pain: effectiveness of treatment, predictors of treatment outcome and upper limb disability. This has led to the development of two primary research avenues, which are neck and upper limb and rehabilitation adherence. The neck and upper limb research is currently investigating the mechanisms which lead to the development of upper limb disability in patients with non-specific neck pain. Also under investigation is the use of the single arm military press (SAMP) test as a physical outcome measure for measuring upper limb capacity in patients with neck pain. The adherence theme investigates the reasons why patients do not adhere with treatment recommendation, exercise and clinic appointments and further investigates strategies to improve adherence.

Prior to undertaking her current role as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, she worked in clinical practice. Sionnadh began in various junior and senior rotational posts, then worked as a clinical specialist in musculoskelatal outpatients at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and finally as the physiotherapy outpatients manager at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Specialist areas of interest

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation Adherence
Neck and Upper Limb disability

Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
MSc Manual Physiotherapy
Professional Doctorate Programme

CSP Charitable Trust: Physiotherapy Research Funds (01/04/2015 – 31/10/16)
Project Team: Carol Keen, Dr Sionnadh McLean, Dr Sally Fowler-Davis
Project: An investigation into the current physiotherapy provision in the United Kingdom for patients with pulmonary hypertension

Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Trust Charitable Funds (01/09/2015 - 31/01/2016)
Project Team: Dr Sionnadh McLean; Alex Thompson; Rachel Young; Kate Grafton; Rachel Stagg; Khaled Khatab; Karen Kilner
Project: The "Back Active" Physiotherapy Model of Care: A Service Evaluation

ARC project grant ID 16169
Holders:Prof J. Klaber Moffett, Ms S.M. McLean, Dr D. Sharp, Dr E. Gardiner
Project:A randomised controlled trial comparing graded exercise treatment and usual physiotherapy for patients with neck pain (GET UP Neck Trial)
Amount:£62781

NIHR HSR grant 10/2002/49 (01/01/12 - 28/02/13)
Holders: Dr S McLean, Prof S Salway, Rev M Cobb, Mr A Booth, Prof S Nancarrow
Project: Targeting the Use of Reminders & Notifications for Uptake by Populations (TURNUP)
Amount: £87589

Imagine: Engineering for Life; Sheffield Hallam University (13/01 to 13/07/13)
Holder: Prof C Beatty, Dr S McLean, Prof S Fothergill, Ms K Duncan
Project: Addressing the real health needs of incapacity claimants
Amount: £18826.53

CSP Charitable Trust: Physiotherapy Research Funds (01/04/13 - 01/06/14)
Holder: Dr S McLean, Dr M Holden, Dr K Haywood, Mel Gee
Project:Recommendations for exercise adherence measures: Findings from a systematic review and consensus workshop
Amount: £73562

MS Society (01/04/15 - 30/06/15)
Holders: Dr Jeff Breckon, Prof. Basil Sharrack, Anouska Carter, Liam Humphries, Melanie Gee, Dr Sionnadh McLean, Dr Khaled Khatab
Project: Physical activity in people with MS
Amount: £9566

Journal articles

Mallett, R., Mclean, S., Holden, M.A., Potia, T., Gee, M., & Haywood, K. (2020). Use of the nominal group technique to identify UK stakeholder views of the measures and domains used in the assessment of therapeutic exercise adherence for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. BMJ Open, 10 (2), e031591. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031591

Snowdon, N., Sier, D., Potia, T., Wheat, J., & Mclean, S. (2018). Compression garments and fabric orthoses for rehabilitation and function: a systematic mapping review. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 25 (12). http://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2018.25.12.655

Keen, C., Fowler-Davis, S., Mclean, S., & Manson, J. (2018). Physiotherapy practice in pulmonary hypertension: physiotherapist and patient perspectives. Pulmonary Circulation, 8 (3), 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1177/2045894018783738

Lowe, A., Littlewood, C., & Mclean, S. (2018). Understanding physical activity promotion in physiotherapy practice: A qualitative study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 35, 1-7. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2018.01.009

Mclean, S., Charlesworth, L., May, S., & Pollard, N. (2018). Healthcare students’ perceptions about their role, confidence and competence to deliver brief public health interventions and advice. BMC Medical Education, 18 (114). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1224-0

Lowe, A., Littlewood, C., Mclean, S., & Kilner, K. (2017). Physiotherapy and Physical Activity: A cross-sectional survey exploring physical activity promotion, knowledge of physical activity guidelines and the physical activity habits of UK physiotherapists. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 3 (1). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000290

Alreni, A.S.E., Harrop, D., Lowe, A., Potia, T., Kilner, K., & McLean, S.M. (2017). Measures of upper limb function for people with neck pain. A systematic review of measurement and practical properties. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 29, 155-163. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2017.02.004

Mclean, S., Holden, M., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., Bhanbhro, S., ... Haywood, K. (2017). Quality and acceptability of measures of exercise adherence in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 56 (3), 426-438. http://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kew422

Lowe, A., Gee, M., Littlewood, C., Mclean, S., Lindsay, C., & Everett, S. (2016). Physical activity promotion in physiotherapy practice: a systematic scoping review of a decade of literature. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (2), 122-127. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096735

Mclean, S., Booth, A., Gee, M., Salway, S., Cobb, M., Bhanbhro, S., & Nancarrow, S. (2016). Appointment reminder systems are effective but not optimal: results of a systematic review and evidence synthesis employing realist principles. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 479-499. http://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S93046

Alreni, A.S.E., Harrop, D., Gumber, A., & Mclean, S. (2015). Measures of upper limb function for people with neck pain: A systematic review of measurement and practical properties (protocol). Systematic Reviews, 4, 43. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-015-0034-2

Mclean, S., Gee, M., Booth, A., Salway, S., Nancarrow, S., Cobb, M., & Bhanbhro, S. (2014). Targeting the use of reminders and notifications for uptake by populations (TURNUP): a systematic review and evidence synthesis. Health Services and Delivery Research, 2 (34). http://doi.org/10.3310/hsdr02340

Holden, M.A., Haywood, K.L., Potia, T.A., Gee, M., & McLean, S. (2014). Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting (protocol). Systematic Reviews, 3 (10). http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-3-10

Ratcliffe, E., Pickering, S., Mclean, S., & Lewis, J. (2013). Is there a relationship between subacromial impingement syndrome and scapular orientation? a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48 (16), 1251-1256. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092389

Mclean, S., Klaber Moffett, J.A., Sharp, D.M., & Gardiner, E. (2013). A randomised controlled trial comparing graded exercise treatment and usual physiotherapy for patients with non-specific neck pain (the GET UP neck pain trial). Manual therapy, 18 (3), 199-205. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2012.09.005

McClimens, A., Ibbotson, R., Kenyon, C., Mclean, S., & Soltani, H. (2012). Confidence and performance in objective structured clinical examination. British Journal of Midwifery, 20 (10), 746-751.

Mclean, S., Moffett, J.K., Sharp, D.M., & Gardiner, E. (2011). An investigation to determine the association between neck pain and upper limb disability for patients with non-specific neck pain : a secondary analysis. Manual Therapy, 16 (5), 434-439. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2011.01.003

Mclean, S., May, S., Klaber-Moffett, J., Sharp, D.M., & Gardiner, E. (2010). Risk factors for the onset of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 64 (7), 565-572. http://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.090720

McLean, S., Burton, M., Bradley, L., & Littlewood, C. (2010). Interventions for enhancing adherence with physiotherapy: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 15 (6), 514-521. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2010.05.012

Qaqish, J.H., & Mclean, S. (2010). Foot type and tibialis anterior muscle activity during the stance phase of gait : a pilot study. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 19-29. http://ijptr.com/index.php/ijptr/article/download/56/53

Marwaha, K., Horobin, H., & Mclean, S. (2010). Indian physiotherapists’ perceptions of factors that influence the adherence of Indian patients to physiotherapy treatment recommendations. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 9-18. http://www.physioguru.com/index.php/ijptr/article/viewArticle/58

Mclean, S., Taylor, J., Balassoubramanien, T., Kulkarni, M., Patekar, P., Darne, R., & Jain, V. (2010). Measuring upper limb disability in non-specific neck pain : a clinical performance measure. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 44-52. http://ijptr.com/index.php/ijptr/article/viewArticle/52

Littlewood, C., Chance-Larsen, K., & Mclean, S. (2010). Quality appraisal as part of the systematic review: a review of current methods. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 53-58. http://ijptr.com/index.php/ijptr/article/download/61/57

Jack, K., Mclean, S., Moffett, J.K., & Gardiner, E. (2010). Barriers to treatment adherence in physiotherapy outpatient clinics : a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 15 (3), 220-228. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2009.12.004

Adamson, S.J., Bland, J.M., Hay, E.M., Johnson, R.E., Jones, G.T., Kitchener, H., ... Torgerson, D.J. (2008). Patients' preferences within randomised trials: systematic review and patient level meta-analysis. BMJ, 337, a1864. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a1864

Reports

Mclean, S., Holden, M., Haywood, K., Potia, T., Gee, M., Mallett, R., & Bhanbhro, S. (n.d.). Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Theses / Dissertations

Snowdon, N.J. (2019). Acceptability and feasibility of fabric orthoses for movement control in multiple sclerosis. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mclean, S. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00263

Alreni, A.S.E. (2018). Clinical Management and Measurement of Upper LimbDisability in Neck Pain Patients. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mclean, S. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00140

Lowe, A. (2018). Physical activity and physiotherapy: moving forwards. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mclean, S., & Littlewood, C. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00100

Alex Morley: Multiple Sclerosis
Ahmad Alreni: Clinical management and measurement of upper limb disability in neck pain patients (started September 2013
Nicky Snowdon: Dynamic Elastomeric Fibre Orthoses (DEFO’s) and walking ability in multiple sclerosis. (started September 2014)
Anna Lowe: Do physiotherapists address physical inactivity? An exploration of current practice. (started September 2014)
Rachel Young: starts January 2016

Devdeep Ahuja: Determinants of attendance at appointments and adherence to exercise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy (started November 2011, completed November 2015)