Alex Breen
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Biography

I am a visiting associate of Bournemouth University undertaking research into the mechanical aggravation of musculoskeletal conditions such as Spine Biomechanics, Back pain. More over i am an external Post-graduate supervisor to PhD students who currently study at BU.

Beyond Bournemouth University i work full time as a researcher and lecturer at the nearby AECC Univerity College as a Senior Research Fellow and Technology Lead.

Favourites

  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2020. Dynamic interactions between lumbar intervertebral motion segments during forward bending and return. Journal of Biomechanics, 102.
  • De Carvalho, D.E., de Luca, K., Funabashi, M., Breen, A., Wong, A.Y.L., Johansson, M.S., Ferreira, M.L., Swab, M., Neil Kawchuk, G., Adams, J., Hartvigsen, J., 2020. Association of Exposures to Seated Postures With Immediate Increases in Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Studies With Objectively Measured Sitting Time. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 43 (1), 1-12.
  • Zanjani-Pour, S., Meakin, J.R., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2018. Estimation of in vivo inter-vertebral loading during motion using fluoroscopic and magnetic resonance image informed finite element models. Journal of Biomechanics, 70, 134-139.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2018. Uneven intervertebral motion sharing is related to disc degeneration and is greater in patients with chronic, non-specific low back pain: an in vivo, cross-sectional cohort comparison of intervertebral dynamics using quantitative fluoroscopy. European Spine Journal, 27 (1), 145-153.
  • Breen, Breen, A., 2017. Disc degeneration and uneven lumbar intervertebral motion sharing are related in patients with chronic back pain.
  • Breen, A.C., Teyhen, D.S., Mellor, F.E., Breen, A.C., Wong, K.W.N., Deitz, A., 2012. Measurement of intervertebral motion using quantitative fluoroscopy: report of an international forum and proposal for use in the assessment of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. Adv Orthop, 2012, 802350.

Journal Articles

  • Nim, C., Weber, K.A., O’Neill, S., Paulsen, R.T., Culmsee-Holm, L., Wesselink, E.O., Sun, Y.L., Jun, P., Breen, A., Kawchuk, G.N., 2025. The relation between bulk (external) and internal measures of spinal stiffness. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 33 (1).
  • Rodrigues, L., Breen, A., Knapp, K.M., Meakin, J.R., 2025. Comparing the number of landmark points used to create statistical shape models of the lumbar spine from MR images. Radiography, 31 (5).
  • Frey, M., Breen, A., Rix, J., De Carvalho, D., 2025. Concurrent validity of skin-based motion capture systems in measuring dynamic lumbar intervertebral angles. Journal of Biomechanics, 180.
  • Schuermans, V.N.E., Smeets, A.Y.J.M., Breen, A., Branney, J., Curfs, I., van Santbrink, H., Boselie, T.F.M., 2024. An observational study of quality of motion in the aging cervical spine: sequence of segmental contributions in dynamic fluoroscopy recordings. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25 (1).
  • Nematimoez, M., Haddas, R., Breen, A., 2024. Effect of asymptomatic intervertebral flexion patterns on lumbar disc pressure: A finite element analysis study. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, 40 (11).
  • Breen, A., Nematimoez, M., Branney, J., Breen, A., 2024. Passive intervertebral restraint is different in patients with treatment-resistant chronic nonspecific low back pain: a retrospective cohort study and control comparison. European Spine Journal, 33 (6), 2405-2419.
  • Branney, J., Breen, A., du Rose, A., Mowlem, P., Breen, A., 2024. Disc Degeneration and Cervical Spine Intervertebral Motion: A Cross-Sectional Study in Patients with Neck Pain and Matched Healthy Controls. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9 (1).
  • Nematimoez, M., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2023. Spatio-temporal clustering of lumbar intervertebral flexion interactions in 127 asymptomatic individuals. Journal of Biomechanics, 154.
  • Breen, A., Carvil, P., Green, D., Russomano, T., Breen, A., 2023. Effects of a microgravity SkinSuit on lumbar geometry and kinematics. European Spine Journal.
  • Williams, J.M., Frey, M., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., 2022. Systematic analysis of different low-pass filter cut-off frequencies on lumbar spine kinematics data and the impact on the agreement between accelerometers and an optoelectronic system. Journal of Biomechanics, 145.
  • Hartvigsen, J., Kawchuk, G., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Eklund, A., Fernandez, M., Funabashi, M., Holmes, M.M., Johansson, M.S., de Luca, K., Moore, C., Pagé, I., Pohlman, K.A., Swain, M.S., Wong, A.Y.L., Adams, J., 2021. Leadership and capacity building in chiropractic research: report from the first CARL cohort. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 29 (1).
  • Hartvigsen, J., Kawchuk, G., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Eklund, A., Fernandez, M., Funabashi, M., Holmes, M.M., Johansson, M.S., de Luca, K., Moore, C., Pagé, I., Pohlman, K.A., Swain, M.S., Wong, A.Y.L., Adams, J., 2021. Correction to: Leadership and capacity building in chiropractic research: report from the first CARL cohort (Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, (2021), 29, 1, (9), 10.1186/s12998-021-00363-8). Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 29 (1).
  • Lindstrøm, R., Breen, A., Qu, N., du Rose, A., Andersen, V.B., Breen, A., 2021. Novel assessment of the variation in cervical inter-vertebral motor control in a healthy pain-free population. Scientific Reports, 11 (1).
  • Rix, J., Docherty, S., Breen, A.C., Sewell, P., Branney, J., 2021. A public and patient consultation process as an aid to design a person-centred randomized clinical trial. Health Expectations, 24 (5), 1639-1648.
  • Rix, J., Branney, J., Breen, A.C., Sewell, P., Docherty, S., 2021. Stakeholder involvement in the development of trial material for a clinical trial. Health Expectations, 24 (2), 399-410.
  • Funabashi, M., Breen, A.C., De Carvalho, D., Pagé, I., Nougarou, F., Descarreaux, M., Kawchuk, G.N., 2021. Force Distribution Within Spinal Tissues During Posterior to Anterior Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Secondary Analysis. Front Integr Neurosci, 15, 809372.
  • To, D., Breen, A., Breen, A., Mior, S., Howarth, S.J., 2020. Investigator analytic repeatability of two new intervertebral motion biomarkers for chronic, nonspecific low back pain in a cohort of healthy controls. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 28 (1).
  • Breen, A., Mellor, F., Morris, A., Breen, A., 2020. An in vivo study exploring correlations between early-to-moderate disc degeneration and flexion mobility in the lumbar spine. European Spine Journal, 29 (10), 2619-2627.
  • Brownhill, K., Mellor, F., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2020. Passive intervertebral motion characteristics in chronic mid to low back pain: A multivariate analysis. Medical Engineering and Physics, 84, 115-125.
  • Funabashi, M., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Henry, A., Murnaghan, K., Pagé, I., Wong, A.Y.L., Kawchuk, G., 2020. Center of rotation locations during lumbar spine movements: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis.
  • Funabashi, M., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Henry, A., Murnaghan, K., Pagé, I., Wong, A.Y.L., Kawchuk, G., 2020. Center of rotation locations during lumbar spine movements: a scoping review protocol. JBI Evid Synth, 18 (6), 1305-1312.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2020. Dynamic interactions between lumbar intervertebral motion segments during forward bending and return. Journal of Biomechanics, 102.
  • De Carvalho, D.E., de Luca, K., Funabashi, M., Breen, A., Wong, A.Y.L., Johansson, M.S., Ferreira, M.L., Swab, M., Neil Kawchuk, G., Adams, J., Hartvigsen, J., 2020. Association of Exposures to Seated Postures With Immediate Increases in Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Studies With Objectively Measured Sitting Time. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 43 (1), 1-12.
  • Breen, A., Claerbout, E., Hemming, R., Ayer, R., Breen, A., 2019. Comparison of intra subject repeatability of quantitative fluoroscopy and static radiography in the measurement of lumbar intervertebral flexion translation. Scientific Reports, 9 (1).
  • Breen, A., Hemming, R., Mellor, F., Breen, A., 2019. Intrasubject repeatability of in vivo intervertebral motion parameters using quantitative fluoroscopy. European Spine Journal, 28 (2), 450-460.
  • Kawchuk, G.N., Miazga, S., Pagé, I., Swain, M., De Carvalho, D., Funabashi, M., Breen, A., Wong, A., 2019. Clinicians’ Ability to Detect a Palpable Difference in Spinal Stiffness Compared With a Mechanical Device. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 42 (2), 89-95.
  • du Rose, A., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2018. Relationships between muscle electrical activity and the control of inter-vertebral motion during a forward bending task. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 43, 48-54.
  • Breen, A., Mellor, F., Breen, A., 2018. Aberrant intervertebral motion in patients with treatment-resistant nonspecific low back pain: a retrospective cohort study and control comparison. European Spine Journal, 27 (11), 2831-2839.
  • Pagé, I., Swain, M., Wong, A., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Descarreaux, M., Funabashi, M., Kawchuk, G., 2018. Correlations Between Individuals’ Characteristics and Spinal Stiffness in Individuals With and Without Back Pain: A Combined Analysis of Multiple Data Sets. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 41 (9), 734-752.
  • Zanjani-Pour, S., Meakin, J.R., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2018. Estimation of in vivo inter-vertebral loading during motion using fluoroscopic and magnetic resonance image informed finite element models. Journal of Biomechanics, 70, 134-139.
  • Adams, J., Kawchuk, G., Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Eklund, A., Fernandez, M., Funabashi, M., Holmes, M.M., Johansson, M.S., de Luca, K., Moore, C., Pagé, I., Pohlman, K.A., Swain, M.S., Wong, A.Y.L., Hartvigsen, J., 2018. Leadership and capacity building in international chiropractic research: Introducing the chiropractic academy for research leadership (CARL). Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 26 (1).
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2018. Uneven intervertebral motion sharing is related to disc degeneration and is greater in patients with chronic, non-specific low back pain: an in vivo, cross-sectional cohort comparison of intervertebral dynamics using quantitative fluoroscopy. European Spine Journal, 27 (1), 145-153.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2016. Accuracy and repeatability of quantitative fluoroscopy for the measurement of sagittal plane translation and finite centre of rotation in the lumbar spine. Medical Engineering and Physics, 38 (7), 607-614.
  • Breen, A.C., Dupac, M., Osborne, N., 2015. Attainment rate as a surrogate indicator of the intervertebral neutral zone length in lateral bending: An in vitro proof of concept study. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, 23 (1).
  • Mellor, F.E., Breen, A.C., 2013. Ionizing radiation exposure and the development of intervertebral disc degeneration - No case to answer. Spine Journal, 13 (3), 224-226.
  • Breen, A.C., Teyhen, D.S., Mellor, F.E., Breen, A.C., Wong, K.W.N., Deitz, A., 2012. Measurement of intervertebral motion using quantitative fluoroscopy: report of an international forum and proposal for use in the assessment of degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. Adv Orthop, 2012, 802350.
  • van Loon, I.H.M., Mellor, F.E., Breen, A., 2012. Accuracy and repeatability of sagittal translation of lumbar vertebrae in vitro and in vivo using quantitative fluoroscopy. Clinical Chiropractic.

Chapters

  • Breen, A.C., 2022. Measurement of joint kinematics utilising video-fluoroscopy. Human Orthopaedic Biomechanics Fundamentals Devices and Applications. 623-635.

Conferences

  • Schuermans, V., Smeets, A., Breen, A., Branney, J., Curfs, I., van Santbrink, H., Boseliie, T., 2023. Quality of motion in the ageing cervical spine: Sequence of segmental contributions in dynamic fluoroscopy recordings. In: Eurospine 2023 04/10/2023 Messe Frankfurt, Germany. Brain and Spine, 3 Elsevier.
  • Breen, A., De Carvalho, D., Funabashi, M., Kawchuk, G., Pagé, I., Wong, A.Y.L., Breen, A., 2021. A Reference Database of Standardised Continuous Lumbar Intervertebral Motion Analysis for Conducting Patient-Specific Comparisons. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9.
  • Breen, A., Haig, L., Breen, A., 2019. Retrospective kinematic analysis of intervertebral stability in 10 patients with lytic spondylolisthesis. In: Physiotherapy UK 01/11/2019 Birmingham.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2019. Dynamic lumbar intervertebral motion sharing in back pain patients and controls. In: 10th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain 28/10/2018 Antwerp.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., 2019. Dynamic interactions between lumbar intervertebral motion segments during forward bending. In: 2nd International Workshop on Spine Loading and Deformation 04/07/2019 Berlin.
  • Breen, A., Watts, M., Claerbout, E., Merifield, J., Breen, A., 2019. Evidence-based lumbar spine biomechanics for assessment of treatment-resistant low back pain. In: World Federation of Chiropractic Bienniel Conference 08/05/2019 Berlin.
  • Breen, A., Hemming, R., Claerbout, E., Breen, A., 2018. A comparison of plain radiographs and quantitative fluoroscopy for the measurement of translatory slip in the lumbar spine. In: Society for Back Pain Research Annual Meeting 15/11/2018 Groningen.
  • Breen, A., de Carvalho, D., Wong, A., Kawchuk, G., Funabashi, M., Swain, M., Breen, A., 2018. Apportionment of lumbar intervertebral motion in a standardised flexion and return protocol using fluoroscopy: basic data to improve current spine models. In: 8th Work Conference of Biomechanics 20/06/2018 Dublin.
  • Breen, A., Carvil, P., Jones, M., Horne, D., Ayer, R., Osborne, N., Breen, A., Russomano, T., Green, D., 2017. The effect of 4-hour partial axial reloading via the Mk VI SkinSuit upon recumbent lumbar geometry and kinematics after 8-hour hyper-buoyancy flotation. In: 2nd Human Physiology Workshop 09/12/2017 DLR, Colgne, Germany.
  • Carvil, P., Jones, M., Horne, D., Ayer, R., Osbourne, N., Breen, A., Breen, A., Russpomano, T., Green, D., 2017. The effect of 4-hour partial axial reloading via the Mk VI SkinSuit upon recumbent lumbar geometry and kinematics after 8-hour hyper-buoyancy flotation. In: 2nd Human Physiology Workshop 09/12/2017 Cologne.
  • Zanji_Pour, S., Meakin, J., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2017. Estimation of in vivo inter-vertebral loading during motion using fluoroscopic and magnetic resonance image informed finite element models. In: 2nd International workshop on spine loading and deformation 18/05/2017 Berlin.
  • Du Rose, A., Breen, A., Breen, A., 2017. Spinal muscle electrical activity and the stabilisation of lumbar motion segments during flexion. In: International Back and Neck Research Forum 2017 14/09/2017 Oslo 2017.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A.C., Mellor, F., 2017. Intra subject repeatability of intervertebral motion parameters for clinical studies. In: International Back and Neck Pain Research Forum 12/09/2017 Oslo.
  • Breen, A., Dupac, M., 2016. Passive Control of Intervertebral Motion in Unilateral Transtibial Amputees. In: 9th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain 31/10/2016 Singapore.
  • Breen, A.C., Dupac, M., 2016. Evaluation of angular kinematics of lower limb amputees using quantitative fluoroscopic imaging. Eccomas Congress 2016 Proceedings of the 7th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, 4, 6539-6546.
  • Breen, A.C., Dupac, M., 2015. Evaluation of stump and socket kinematics of lower limb amputees using quantitative fluoroscopic imaging: a case study. In: Öztürk, B., eds. BIOENG'15, Bioengineering Congerence 25/11/2015 Istanbul - Turkey. BIOENG ’15/ II. INTERNATIONAL BIOENGINEERING CONFERENCE, 114-122 DAKAM PUBLISHING.
  • Breen, A.C., Dupac, M., Osborne, N., 2015. Measuring Intervertebral Stability In Vivo: Exploring the Criterion Validity of the Initial Attainment Rate. In: The Society for Back Pain Research (SBPR) Annual General Meeting: Biological Factors in Nonspecific Back Pain 05/11/2015 Bournemouth.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A., Mellor, F., du Rose, A., Bentman, S., 2015. Control of intervertebral motion: A critical element of spine control and a target for treatment. In: State of the Art in Spine Control, Expert Forum 16/10/2015 Chicago.
  • Breen, A.C., Dupac, M., Noroozi, S., Osborne, N., 2014. A pre-operational study magnification measurement and error estimation of residual tibia kinematics within below knee prosthetics. , 927-930 CRC Press/Balkema.
  • Breen, A., Breen, A.C., Mellor, F., 2013. Lumbar intervertebral motion in vivo: a preliminary comparison of recumbent and weight bearing motion patterns in adult males. In: Society of Back Pain Research 09/11/2012 Douglas, Isle of Man. Bone & Joint Journal Orthopaedic Proceedings Supplement, 95 (SUPP 17), 20 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Theses

  • Breen, A., 2016. A quantitative fluoroscopic study of the relationship between lumbar inter-vertebral and residual limb/socket kinematics in the coronal plane in adult male unilateral amputees. (Exploring the spine and lower limb kinematics of trans-tibial amputees). Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology.

Posters

  • Breen, Breen, A., 2017. Disc degeneration and uneven lumbar intervertebral motion sharing are related in patients with chronic back pain.
  • Breen, Breen, A., 2017. Uneven lumbar Inter vertebral motion sharing accompanied by disc degeneration is a pathomechanism in chronic, nonspecific low back pain.
  • Breen, mellor, F., Breen, 2017. Intra subject repeatability of intervertebral motion parameters for clinical studies.
  • Breen, Breen, A., 2017. Intervertebral motion sharing in the lumbar spine and chronic back pain.

PhD Students

  • Jacqueline Rix. Project title Biomechanical Effects of Spinal Manipulation - a Feasibility Study
  • Terence McSweeney. Quantitative imaging biomarkers for nonspecific low back pain

Grants

  • Radiological Research Trust Travel grant (Radiological Research Trust, 31 Oct 2016). Completed
  • Research Travel Fellowship to the Society For Back Pain Research. (Society For Back Pain Research, 01 Oct 2016). In Progress
  • Research Travel Fellowship to the Society For Back Pain Research. (Society For Back Pain Research, 01 Oct 2016). In Progress

External Responsibilities

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Anonymous peer review, 04 May 2020
  • Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Anonymous peer review, 15 Feb 2020
  • Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, Anonymous peer review, 28 Mar 2019
  • The Spine Journal, Anonymous peer review, 28 Mar 2019
  • BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, Anonymous peer review, 18 Apr 2018
  • Clinical Biomechanics, Anonymous peer review, 06 Mar 2018
  • BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Anonymous peer review, 15 Nov 2017
  • HIP International, Anonymous peer review, 10 Aug 2017

Qualifications

  • PhD in Prosthetics and Biomechanics (Bournemouth University, 2016)
  • MSc in Medical Physics (Open University, 2012)
  • BSc (Hons) in Physics with Medical Applications (Exeter University, 2005)

Memberships

  • Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), Member (2012-),
  • North American Spine Society (NASS), Member,
  • European Society of Biomechanics, Member,
  • Society for Back Pain Research, Member,
The data on this page was last updated at 22:00 on February 24, 2026.