Dr Carole Paley

Profile

I originally studied Leisure Studies, Sports and Exercise Science and Sports Medicine in both Leeds and Sheffield and obtained a M.Med Sci from Sheffield University. Following a period of working in sports coaching development and lecturing in sports science and biomechanics, I studied to become a Physiotherapist, qualifying in 1995. After following junior physiotherapy rotations I became a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Whilst working in the NHS I became very interested in research, particularly in the field of pain, and in 2007 I was appointed Research Manager at Airedale, eventually becoming Head of Research and Innovation. During this time, I obtained my PhD in 2013 studying part-time in the Centre for Pain Research at Leeds Beckett University. My research programme was on acupuncture for cancer induced bone pain in adults. Since then I have been involved in synthesising research evidence, conducting systematic reviews and writing papers on non-pharmaceutical interventions for pain. I am a Cochrane Author and have acted as a PhD external examiner.  

From September 2021, I briefly worked on the NIHR-funded LOCOMOTION long-covid study as Project Manager before moving to my most recent appointment as Research Fellow in Palliative Care. I am currently working on the RESOLVE-i study looking at mindfulness interventions for distress in patients with advanced cancer.  I am also assisting with a systematic review on conditioned pain modulation and have recently helped update the guidance on the management of neuropathic pain. I regularly collaborate with Leeds Beckett University Centre for Pain Research, exploring the use of non-pharmacological interventions for pain. Recently I led a collaboration between the Academic Unit of Palliative Care and the Institute for Medieval Studies in the University exploring the meanings and attitudes towards death, dying and pain through an historical lens to try and understand the possibilities for new, non-pharmacological approaches to modern palliative care and pain management. Some of this work was presented at the European Association for Palliative Care Research Congress in 2024.

Responsibilities

• Research Fellow RESOLVE-i study
• Postgraduate supervision

Research interests

Pain research, with particular emphasis on non-pharmaceutical pain relief, palliative care and the use of sport and exercise as prevention or alleviation of chronic diseases.

Synthesis of research findings and the effective and the effective use of evidence-based practice.

Painogenic environments with an historical lens.

Salutogenic approaches to persistent pain.

Mindfulness interventions.

Lessons for modern pain management and palliative care through a Medieval lens.

Creative arts for persistent pain.

Qualifications

• PhD
• MMed Sci Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Postgraduate Diploma in Biomechanics
• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research

Professional memberships

• Health and Care Professions Council
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• British Pain Society

Student education

I am co-supervisor for a Master’s by research student 2024-2025

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Health Sciences
• St Gemma's Academic Unit of Palliative Care
• Division of Primary Care, Palliative Care and Public Health