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Allan Abbott

Professor

My aim is to develop and deliver high quality teaching, research and supervision. I also want to contribute to  development and implementation of evidence based physiotherapy with the ultimate goal of improving clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Presentation

Presentation” change text to “My work spans musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, with a particular focus on pain conditions. 

My research interests include the epidemiology and mechanisms underlying injury and disease, clinical diagnosis, prediction of outcomes, and evaluation of healthcare interventions. 

Etiologi and prevention of spinal deformities

Aging, heredity, biomechanical factors, neuroendocrinal and neuromuscular functional impairments have been suggested as contributing causes to spinal deformities. The aim of this research program is to provide new knowledge of etiological mechanisms which can be translated to more effective individualised prevention and treatment measures for spinal deformities.

Diagnostics and treatment of back and neck pain

The accuracy of a concise history taking and appropriate physical assessment is of importance to identify causal mechanisms and provide focused interventions for neck and back pain conditions. The aim of this research program is to improve the diagnostic accuracy for identifying causal mechanisms and the effectiveness of stratified prevention and treatment methods for neck and back pain.

About me

Cooperations

  • Clinical service 33% at the Orthopedic Clinic, Linköping University Hospital, Region Östergötland

Other assignments

  • Chairman - National working group for person-centred Coordinated Care Pathway in Swedish Healthcare for Low Back Pain
  • Board member – Swedish Spine Registry (SWESPINE), The Swedish Osteoarthritis Registry, National working group for Chronic Pain, National working group for Lumbar Spine Surgery

Teaching

  • Lectures, practical skills teaching, PBL tutorials, seminars and examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate courses
  • Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
  • Supervisor – undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research students

Background

I am a Professor in Physiotherapy with a background in primary and specialist health care with advanced experience in the areas of orthopedics, pain and sports medicine.

Credentials

  • 2023 Professor in Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Sweden
  • 2016 Associate Professor in Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Sweden
  • 2014 Adjunct Associate Professor in Physiotherapy, Bond University, Australia
  • 2014 Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education, Bond University, Australia (30 HP)
  • 2010 PhD in Medical Science, PhD, Karolinska Institute, Sweden (240HP)
    Dissertation title: Physiotherapeutic rehabilitation and lumbar fusion surgery
    Defence date: 2010-06-04
    Supervisor: Professor Rune Hedlund
    Co-supervisor: Associate Professor Raija Tyni-Lenné
  • 2001 Master Degree in Physiotherapy, Griffith University, Australia (240HP)
  • 1999 Bachelor degree in Exercise Science, professional title: Exercise Physiologist, Griffith University, Australia (180hp)

Publications

2026

Tron Anders Moger, Trond Tjerbo, Nina Vollestad, Ragnhild Helleso, Jon Helgheim Holte, Olav Amundsen, Line K. Bragstad, Silje Bjornsen Haavaag, Melker S. Johansson, Allan Abbott, Paul Enthoven, Eric Brugman, Bard Natvig, Roar Robinson, Anne Edvardsen, Soren Gron, Aud Uhlen Obstfelder, Alice Kongsted (2026) From data collection to action: Health registry data in chronic care management and policy Journal of Public Health Research, Vol. 15, Article 22799036261495552 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/22799036261495552
Richard Thompson, Maria Fors, Ann-Sofi Kammerlind, Pia Tingström, Allan Abbott, Kajsa Johansson (2026) Adding the short, digital PainSMART-educational strategy whilst patients with musculoskeletal pain wait for primary care physiotherapy: A randomised controlled trial Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, Vol. 86, Article 103647 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103647
Bjørnar Berg, Allan Abbott, Casper Friis Pedersen, Henrik Hedevik, Martin A. Gorosito, Henrik Lykke Joakimsen, Per Joel Burman, Karl Øyvind Mikalsen, Mikkel Østerheden Andersen, Tor Ingebrigtsen, Tore Solberg, Margreth Grotle (2026) Generalisable prediction models for outcomes after lumbar spinal stenosis surgery: a model development and external validation study eClinicalMedicine, Vol. 96, Article 103989 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103989
Maija Paukkunen, Birgitta Öberg, Jaro Karppinen, Leena Ala-Mursula, Katja Ryynänen, Riikka Holopainen, Allan Abbott (2026) Where is the patient in the records? Evaluating physiotherapists' first visit in occupational health primary care pathway for low back pain BMJ Open Quality, Vol. 15, Article e003900 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2025-003900
Marcus Malmqvist, Tom P. C. Schlosser, Daphne Wezenberg, Allan Abbott, Ludvig Vavruch (2026) Quantification of chest deformity correction in anterior and posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis European spine journal, Vol. 35, p. 404-413 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00586-025-09590-6

Research

Research

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Etiology and prevention of spinal deformities

The etiology of many spinal deformities are complex or even unknown. Genetics, muskuloskeletal structural integrity, biomechanical factors and neuromuscular functional impairments may be causal factors for spinal deformity.
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Research Programme – Better Musculoskeletal Health and Care (BetterMSK)

Musculoskeletal conditions contribute substantially to the global burden of disease. Our research aims to promote musculoskeletal health and thereby contribute to better physical health.

Related research

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Physiotherapeutic Diagnostics and Rehabilitation

We conduct clinical research on diagnostic methods and effects of interventions such as therapeutic exercise, manual therapies, pain management modalities as well as pedagogical and behavioural based management strategies.
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Human Movement Science

We improve knowledge of movement system function in healthy as well as individuals with functional impairments due to sickness of injury. Our research utilizes methods for measuring and analyzing the mechanisms required for function and activity.

Coworkers

Photo of Birgitta Öberg

Birgitta Öberg

Professor emeritus

Photo of Anneli Peolsson

Anneli Peolsson

Visiting Professor

Photo of Martin Hägglund

Martin Hägglund

Professor

Photo of Karin Schröder

Karin Schröder

Associate Professor

Photo of Birgitta Öberg

Birgitta Öberg

Professor emeritus

Organisation

Illustration of the letters HMV

Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV)

The research areas at HMV include experimental basic research to clinical, social and public health research. We conduct high-quality education in the sought-after care professions.
A physiotherapist in a blue shirt is standing to the left of a woman in a pink shirt doing an exercise. You can not see their faces.

Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine (PRNV)

We are an interdisciplinary division that consists of three units: Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Clinical Medicine.
Div of Physiotherapy

Unit of Physiotherapy

We are about 45 employees who together develop further teaching and research in physiotherapy. The link between clinical and academic activities is strong.

News

Fewer back problems with BetterBack

Most backs protest at least at once in a lifetime. Movement is often the best help. Therefore, researchers and physiotherapists in healthcare have developed a model of care “BetterBack (BättreRygg)”, which has now attracted international attention.