BA (Mathematics); BSc (Physiotherapy); MSc (Manipulative Physiotherapy); PhD​

Senior Lecturer. Sheffield Hallam University | SHU · Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. UK 

 

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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

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Teaching

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Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
MSc Manual Physiotherapy
Professional Doctorate Programme

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Publications

 

• SNOWDON, Nicola, SIER, Daniel, POTIA, Tanzila, WHEAT, Jonathan and MCLEAN, Sionnadh(2018). Compression garments and fabric orthoses for rehabilitation and function: a systematic mapping review. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation.

• KEEN, Carol, FOWLER-DAVIS, Sally, MCLEAN, Sionnadh and MANSON, Jane (2018).Physiotherapy practice in pulmonary hypertension: physiotherapist and patient perspectives.Pulmonary Circulation, 8 (3), 1-9.

• LOWE, Anna, LITTLEWOOD, Chris and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (2018). Understanding physical activity promotion in physiotherapy practice: A qualitative study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 35, 1-7.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, CHARLESWORTH, Laura, MAY, Stephen and POLLARD, Nicholas (2018).Healthcare students’ perceptions about their role, confidence and competence to deliver brief public health interventions and advice. BMC Medical Education, 18 (114).

• LOWE, Anna, GEE, Melanie, LITTLEWOOD, Chris, MCLEAN, Sionnadh, LINDSAY, Carolyn and EVERETT, Simon (2018). Physical activity promotion in physiotherapy practice: a systematic scoping review of a decade of literature. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (2), 122-127.

• LOWE, Anna, LITTLEWOOD, Chris, MCLEAN, Sionnadh and KILNER, Karen (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).

• ALRENI, Ahmad Salah Eldin, HARROP, Deborah, LOWE, Anna, POTIA, Tanzila, KILNER, Karen and MCLEAN, Sionnadh Mairi (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.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, HOLDEN, Melanie, POTIA, Tanzila, GEE, Melanie, MALLETT, Ross, BHANBHRO, Sadiq, PARSONS, Helen and HAYWOOD, Kirstie (2017). Quality and acceptability of measures of exercise adherence in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review.Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 56 (3), 426-438.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, BOOTH, Andrew, GEE, Melanie, SALWAY, Sarah, COBB, Mark, BHANBHRO, Sadiq and NANCARROW, Susan (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.

• ALRENI, Ahmad Salah Eldin, HARROP, Deborah, GUMBER, Anil and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (2015).Measures of upper limb function for people with neck pain: A systematic review of measurement and practical properties (protocol). Systematic Reviews, 4, p. 43.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, GEE, Melanie, BOOTH, Andrew, SALWAY, Sarah, NANCARROW, Susan, COBB, Mark and BHANBHRO, Sadiq (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).

• HOLDEN, Melanie A, HAYWOOD, Kirsty L, POTIA, Tanzila A, GEE, Melanie and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (2014). Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting (protocol). Systematic Reviews, 3 (10).

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, HOLDEN, Melanie, HAYWOOD, Kirstie, POTIA, Tanzila, GEE, Melanie, MALLETT, Ross and BHANBHRO, Sadiq (2014). Recommendations for exercise adherence measures in musculoskeletal settings: a systematic review and consensus meeting. Project Report. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. (Submitted)

• RATCLIFFE, E., PICKERING, S., MCLEAN, S. and 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.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, KLABER MOFFETT, Jennifer A, SHARP, Donald M and GARDINER, Eric(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.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh M, KLABER MOFFETT, Jennifer A, SHARP, Donald M and GARDINER, Eric(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.

• MCCLIMENS, Alex, IBBOTSON, Rachel, KENYON, Charlotte, MCLEAN, Sionnadh and SOLTANI, Hora (2012). Confidence and performance in objective structured clinical examination. British Journal of Midwifery, 20 (10), 746-751.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, MOFFETT, Jennifer Klaber, SHARP, Donald Macfie and GARDINER, Eric(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.

• QAQISH, J.H. and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (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.

• MARWAHA, Kanika, HOROBIN, Hazel and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (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.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, TAYLOR, Jason, BALASSOUBRAMANIEN, Toulassidharane, KULKARNI, Manik, PATEKAR, Priya, DARNE, Rakhi and JAIN, Vivek (2010). Measuring upper limb disability in non-specific neck pain : a clinical performance measure. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 44-52.

• LITTLEWOOD, Chris, CHANCE-LARSEN, Kenneth and MCLEAN, Sionnadh (2010). Quality appraisal as part of the systematic review: a review of current methods. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1 (1), 53-58.

• JACK, Kirsten, MCLEAN, Sionnadh, MOFFETT, Jennifer Klaber and GARDINER, Eric (2010).Barriers to treatment adherence in physiotherapy outpatient clinics : a systematic review.Manual Therapy, 15 (3), 220-228.

• MCLEAN, S., BURTON, M., BRADLEY, L. and LITTLEWOOD, C. (2010). Interventions for enhancing adherence with physiotherapy: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 15 (6), 514-521.

• MCLEAN, Sionnadh, MAY, Stephen, KLABER-MOFFETT, J, SHARP, D M and 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.

• ADAMSON, Simon J, BLAND, J Martin, HAY, Elaine M, JOHNSON, Ruth E, JONES, Gareth T, KITCHENER, Henry, KLABER MOFFETT, Jennifer A, MACFARLANE, Gary J, MACPHERSON, Hugh, MCLEAN, Sionnadh, NELSON, Linsey, SALISBURY, Chris, THOMAS, Elaine, TILBROOK, Helen E and TORGERSON, David J (2008). Patients' preferences within randomised trials: systematic review and patient level meta-analysis. BMJ, 337, a1864-a1864.

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• LOWE, A, CAMPBELL, L, RAMASWAMY, B, HOROBIN, H, MCLEAN, S (2014). 'Does deprivation influence treatment outcome in Physiotherapy? A systematic review'. Physical Therapy Reviews. Published Online First: January 2014, Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/1743288X13Y.0000000132

• BEATTY, C, DUNCAN, K, FOTHERGILL, S, MCLEAN, S (2013). 'The role of health interventions in reducing incapacity claimant numbers'. Article from Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University.

• KARNAD, P, MCLEAN, S (2011). 'Physiotherapists' perceptions of patient adherence to home exercises in chronic musculoskeletal rehabilitation'. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1(2):14-29

• MCLEAN, S, KLABER MOFFETT, J, SHARP, D, GARDINER, E (2011). 'A study investigating the relationship between neck pain and upper limb disability in a patient population'. Manual Therapy, 16(5):434-439.

• MCLEAN, S (2011). 'Writing academic publications for International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation'. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 1(2):1-3

• MCLEAN, S, MAY, S, KLABER MOFFETT, J, SHARP, D, GARDINER, E (2007). 'Prognostic factors for progressive non-specific neck pain: A systematic review'. Physical Therapy Reviews, 12(3):207-220.

• MOFFETT, JK, MCLEAN, S, ROBERTS, L (2006). 'Red flags need more evaluation: reply'. Rheumatology, 45(7):921; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kel103

• MOFFETT, J, MCLEAN, S (2006). 'The role of physiotherapy in the management of non-specific back pain and neck pain'. Rheumatology, 45(4): 371-378; doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kei242

• MCLEAN, S, NAISH, R, REED, L, URRY, S, VINCENZIO, B (2002). 'A pilot study of the manual force required to produce manipulation induced hypoalgesia'. Clinical Biomechanics, 17: 304-308.