Nee, Robert_DPT

Robert Nee

Professor PT, PhD, MAppSc

Programs and Courses Taught

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Fall Term:

PT 716 Patient/Client Management: Musculoskeletal III (Course Coordinator)

PT 702 Capstone II: Exploration and Planning

PT 704 Capstone IV: Completion

Spring Term:

PT 711 Patient/Client Management: Musculoskeletal I (Course Co-Coordinator)

Summer Term:

PT 712 Patient/Client Management: Musculoskeletal II PT 703 Capstone III: Implementation

About Me

I have been a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Samuel Merritt University since August 2020. My expertise and scholarship is in musculoskeletal physical therapy. In particular, the use of techniques to diagnose and treat increased nerve mechanical sensitivity in individuals who have musculoskeletal problems. I have been a practicing physical therapist in the musculoskeletal setting for over 30 years and have been involved in first-professional physical therapy education for over 20 years.

Education

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy at Boston University in 1985.

I completed a Master of Applied Science in Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia in 1993 which included a fellowship in manual therapy.

I completed a PhD in Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland in 2012. My PhD research focused on the use of techniques to diagnose and treat increased nerve mechanical sensitivity in people who had neck and upper limb pain and has been published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests are in musculoskeletal physical therapy, fostering clinical reasoning in physical therapist practice, and principles of evidence-informed practice.

Scholarly Interests

My scholarship is focused on the use of techniques to diagnose and treat increased nerve mechanical sensitivity in individuals who experience musculoskeletal problems. I am also interested in exploring prediction models to assist in diagnosis and intervention for musculoskeletal problems.

Publications

  1. Nee RJ, Coppieters MW, Boyd BS (2022) Reliability of the straight leg raise test for suspected lumbar radicular pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 59:102529. PMID: 35245880
  2. Boyd BS, Smoot BJ, Nee RJ (2022) Left/Right Judgment Task for the Chest Region, Part 2: Evidence for Mental Maneuvering in Performance During Chest Versus Shoulder Regions Rehabilitation Oncology 40:71-81.
  3. Boyd BS, Smoot BJ, Nee RJ (2022) Left/Right Judgment Task for the Chest Region, Part 1: Performance Outcomes in Healthy Women Compared to Women Post Breast Cancer Treatment Rehabilitation Oncology 40:60-70.
  4. Matthews M, Rathleff MS, Claus A, McPoil T, Nee R, Crossley KM, Kasza J, Vicenzino BT (2020) Does foot mobility affect the outcome in the management of patellofemoral pain with foot orthoses versus hip exercise? A randomised clinical trial British Journal of Sports Medicine 54:1416-1422. PMID: 32217524.
  5. Getsoian SL, Gulati SM, Okpareke I, Nee RJ, Jull GA (2020) Validation of a clinical examination to differentiate a cervicogenic source of headache: a diagnostic prediction model using controlled diagnostic blocks BMJ Open 10:e035245. PMID: 32376753.
  6. Nee RJ, Coppieters MW, Jones MA (2019) Lateral elbow pain with cervical and nerve-related components, In: Jones MA & Rivett DA (eds), Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Practice (2nd ed), Elsevier. ISBN (hard cover): 9780702059766, ISBN (eBook): 9780702059773.
  7. Matthews M, Rathleff MS, Claus A, McPoil T, Nee R, Crossley K, Vicenzino B (2017) Can we predict the outcome for people with patellofemoral pain? A systematic review on prognostic factors and treatment effect modifiers British Journal of Sports Medicine 51:1650-1660. PMID: 27965435.
  8. Nee RJ, Vicenzino B, Jull GA, Cleland JA, Coppieters MW (2013) Baseline characteristics of patients with nerve-related neck and arm pain predict the likely response to neural tissue management Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 43:379-391. PMID: 23633626.
  9. Nee RJ, Jull GA, Vicenzino B, Coppieters MW (2012) The validity of upper-limb neurodynamic tests for detecting peripheral neuropathic pain Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 42:413-424. PMID: 22402638.
  10. Nee RJ, Vicenzino B, Jull GA, Cleland JA, Coppieters MW (2012) Neural tissue management provides immediate clinically relevant benefits without harmful effects for patients with nerve-related neck and arm pain: a randomised trial Journal of Physiotherapy 58:23-31. PMID: 22341379.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPTA)

Community Service

Editorial Board Member, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice Editorial Board Member, Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy