Dr Deborah Antcliff

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Visiting NIHR Fellow in June 2016 on the award of a Health Education England/National Institute for Health Research Integrated Clinical Academic (HEE/NIHR ICA) Clinical Lectureship. This award was joint hosted by the University of Leeds and The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (Greater Manchester). I was awarded my PhD in 2014 at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester.

Research interests

My research interests align with my clinical background as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner with a specialism in the management of chronic pain (including chronic low back pain, chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia). I am interested in bio-psychosocial approaches for the management of the complex symptoms that present with long-term conditions, together with the underpinning health behaviours.

My HEE/NIHR ICA Clinical Lectureship involved the development of a complex intervention: an activity pacing framework for the management of chronic pain/fatigue. Activity pacing is a method of activity modification with the aim of undertaking meaningful activities while preventing a flare-up of symptoms. The activity pacing framework aims to provide a clinical guide for healthcare professionals to instruct activity pacing as a standardised and evidence-based strategy for patients. My PhD involved the development of an activity pacing questionnaire as a patient reported outcome measure.

Research methods that I have implemented include feasibility/acceptability testing of a complex intervention, consensus methods (Delphi technique and Nominal group technique), cross-sectional questionnaire design studies, qualitative interviewing and online surveying. I have been involved in scale development and scale validation using factor analysis and reliability testing.

Qualifications

• PGCert(Distinction) Health Psychology, University of Staffordshire (2017)
• PhD, University of Manchester (2014)
• BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy, University of Manchester (2002)

Professional memberships

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Health and Care Professions Council

Research groups and institutes

• Long-term conditions