Professor Valerie Sparkes

2025

• Chen, M. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2025. Systematic review of digital health interventions to support self-management of low back pain in the workplace. Digital Health 11 (10.1177/20552076251336281)
• Eleryan, N. et al. 2025. Digital health self-management interventions for musicians with playing-related musculoskeletal disorders: A scoping review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 80 103408. (10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103408)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2025. Relationships between muscle activation and thoraco-lumbar kinematics in direction-specific low back pain subgroups during everyday tasks. Biomechanics 5 (2) 42. (10.3390/biomechanics5020042)
• Nicholas, K. et al. 2025. Physiotherapist experiences and acceptability of a clinical sensor-based kinematic feedback toolkit for movement feedback rehabilitation for people following Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction. IPEM-Translation 15 100034. (10.1016/j.ipemt.2025.100034)

2024

• Astek, A. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2024. Exploring the use of immersive virtual reality in adults with chronic primary pain: A scoping review. Digital Health 10 , pp.1-19. (10.1177/20552076241254456)
• Eleryan, N. et al. 2024. Exploring musicians' perspectives on the management of musculoskeletal disorders and the potential role of digital health interventions: A survey study. Presented at: Chartered Socoety of Physiotherapy (CSP) 2023 Annual Conference Birmingham, UK 1 November 2023. Vol. 123.Vol. S1. Elsevier. , pp.e156-e157. (10.1016/j.physio.2024.04.195)
• Eleryan, N. et al. 2024. The effect of self-management Interventions on musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: A scoping review [Abstract]. Presented at: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) 2023 Annual Conference Birmingham, UK 1 November 2023. Vol. 123.Vol. S1. Elsevier. , pp.e156-e157. (10.1016/j.physio.2024.04.089)
• Evans, E. et al., 2024. Development of an aid to detect adult acetabular hip dysplasia (the ALPHA alert): a mixed methods study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 73 103157. (10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103157)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2024. Relationships between trunk muscle activation and thoraco-lumbar kinematics in non-specific chronic low back pain subgroups during a forward bending task. Gait & Posture 107 , pp.96-103. (10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.09.018)
• Rony, R. J. et al. 2024. Understanding the socio-cultural challenges and opportunities for affordable wearables to support post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation: A qualitative study. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies (10.2196/54699)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2024. Assessment of spinal and pelvic kinematics using inertial measurement units in clinical subgroups of persistent non-specific low back pain. Sensors 24 (7) 2127. (10.3390/s24072127)

2023

• Hamilton, R. et al. 2023. Measuring osteoarthritis knee nociception using physiological and movement response and a defined thermal stimulus: A proof-of-concept study.. Presented at: The International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS), World Congress of Orthopaedic Research Edinburgh, UK 7-9 September 2022. Orthopaedic Proceedings. Vol. 105-B,., pp.20-20. (10.1302/1358-992X.2023.8.020)

2022

• Ahmed, M. S. et al., 2022. A low-cost wearable system to support upper limb rehabilitation in resource-constrained settings. Presented at: EAI PervasiveHealth 2022 - 16th EAI International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare Thessaloniki, Greece 12-14 December 2022.
• Davies, J. L. et al. 2022. Assessment of spinal and pelvic kinematics using inertial measurement units in people with persistent low back pain. Presented at: 11th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain Melbourne, Australia 1-4 Nov 2023.
• Nicholas, K. et al. 2022. A qualitative evaluation of acceptability of a clinical sensor-based movement feedback rehabilitation in patients following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Presented at: Osteoarthritis Research Society International Conference Berlin, Germany 7-10 April 2022. Vol. 30.Vol. 30 s1. Elsevier. , pp.S392- S392. (10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.527)

2021

• Chen, M. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2021. Patient self-assessment tool (BACK-ON-LINE TM) for early targeted self-management of low back pain in a workplace construct and discriminate validation study. Presented at: Back and Neck Pain Forum Sydney, Australia / Virtual 11-13 Nov 2021.
• Hamilton, R. et al. 2021. Measuring nociception in knee osteoarthritis using physiological and movement responses: a proof-of-concept study. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society Cardiff, UK 13-14 September 2021.
• Rathnayake, A. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2021. Development of Back-to-Fit: a digital self-management platform to help people with mechanical low back pain to be active and exercise. Physiotherapists' perspectives. Presented at: 11th Britspine Conference and Exhibition 2021 Virtual 10-12 March 2021.
• Rathnayake, A. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2021. The effect of low back pain self-management interventions including exercise components and does tailoring exercises to person's needs matter? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting (BORS 2020) Virtual 7-8 September 2020. Vol. 103B.Vol. S2. British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery. , pp.74-74. (10.1302/1358-992X.2021.2.074)
• Rathnayake, A. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2021. What is the effect of low back pain self-management interventions with exercise components added? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 56 102469. (10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102469)

2020

• Astek, A. , Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2020. Development of immersive virtual reality for managing people with chronic low back pain – study protocol. Presented at: BritSpine Glasgow, Ireland 1-3 April 2020.
• Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2020. BACK-on-LINE?: Digital technology to keep people with back pain in work. Project Report.Cardiff University.
• Wareham, A. P. and Sparkes, V. 2020. Effect of one session of mirror therapy on phantom limb pain and recognition of limb laterality in military traumatic lower limb amputees: a pilot study. BMJ Military Health 166 (3), pp.146-150. (10.1136/jramc-2018-001001)

2019

• Alothman, D. , Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2019. Development of a patient self-assessment and self-management online tool (BACKonLINE™): measurement properties. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Annual General Meeting (SBPR 2019) Sheffield, England 5-6 September 2019. British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery. (10.1302/1358-992X.2019.10.005)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2019. Investigating differences in trunk muscle activity in non-specific chronic low back pain subgroups and no-low back pain controls during functional tasks: a case-control study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 20 459. (10.1186/s12891-019-2843-2)
• Nicholas, K. et al. 2019. A qualitative evaluation of physiotherapists acceptability of a clinical sensor based approach to movement feedback rehabilitation. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 27 (S1), pp.S447-S448. (10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.483)
• Rosser, S. , Sparkes, V. and Sheeran, L. 2019. Does standard manual handling advice alter trunk muscle activity during a basic lifting task in healthy individuals?. Presented at: 10th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain Antwerp, Belgium 28 -31 October 2019.
• Sheeran, L. , Sparkes, V. and Al-Amri, M. 2019. Utility of portable inertial measurment unit (IMU) sensor system for spinal movement assessment in people with and without low back pain.. Presented at: 10th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain Antwerp, Belgium 28 -31 October 2019.
• Sparkes, V. et al. 2019. Comparison of gait, functional activities and patient-reported outcome measures in patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy adults using 3D motion analysis and activity monitoring: An exploratory case-control analysis. Orthopedic Research and Reviews 11 , pp.129-140. (10.2147/ORR.S199107)

2018

• Al-Amri, M. et al. 2018. Inertial measurement units for clinical movement analysis: reliability and concurrent validity. Sensors 18 (3) 719. (10.3390/s18030719)
• Davies, J. L. et al. 2018. Frontal plane movement of the pelvis and thorax during dynamic activities in individuals with and without anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Knee 25 (6), pp.997-1008. (10.1016/j.knee.2018.06.002)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2018. Non-specific chronic low back pain: differences in spinal kinematics in subgroups during functional tasks. European Spine Journal 27 (1), pp.163-170. (10.1007/s00586-017-5217-1)
• Nicholas, K. et al. 2018. Sensor-informed physiotherapy following ACLR: a case report. Presented at: 17th Annual Meeting of the Clinical Movement Analysis Society Dublin, Ireland 12-13 April 2018.
• Nicholas, K. et al. 2018. Sensor-informed physiotherapy following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a case report. Presented at: 17th Annual Meeting of the Clinical Movement Analysis Society Dublin 12-13 April 2018.
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2018. Can different seating aids influence a sitting posture in healthy individuals and does gender matter?. Cogent Engineering 5 (1) 1442109. (10.1080/23311916.2018.1442109)
• Williams, N. H. et al., 2018. Lessons learnt from a discontinued randomised controlled trial: adalimumab injection compared with placebo for patients receiving physiotherapy treatment for sciatica (Subcutaneous Injection of Adalimumab Trial compared with Control: SCIATiC). Trials 19 (1) 408. (10.1186/s13063-018-2801-6)

2017

• Alothman, D. , Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2017. Development of a patient self-assessment and self-management online tool (BACKonLINE?): A Delphi Study. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Annual Conference Northampton, U.K. 14-15 Nov 2017. , pp.-.
• Williams, N. H. et al. 2017. Subcutaneous Injection of Adalimumab Trial compared with Control (SCIATiC): a randomised controlled trial of adalimumab injection compared with placebo for patients receiving physiotherapy treatment for sciatica. Health Technology Assessment Reports 21 (60)(10.3310/hta21600)

2016

• Letchford, R. et al. 2016. A novel clinical approach for assessing hop landing strategies: a 2D telescopic inverted pendulum (TIP) model. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 24 (1), pp.279-286. (10.1007/s00167-014-3378-6)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2016. The effect of classification-based cognitive functional therapy on spinal kinematics and function in subgroups of chronic low back pain. The Spine Journal 16 (4), pp.S45-S46. (10.1016/j.spinee.2016.01.027)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2016. The effect of classification-based cognitive functional therapy on spinal-pelvic kinematics during functional tasks in subgroups of non-specific chronic low back pain. Presented at: 9th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Girdle Pain Singapore 31 October - 3 November 2016. , pp.-.

2015

• Hemming, R. et al. 2015. Regional spinal kinematics during static postures and functional tasks in people with non-specific chronic low back pain [Abstract]. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 22 (Supp 8), pp.S8. (10.12968/ijtr.2015.22.Sup8.S8b)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2015. Regional spinal kinematics during static postures: discrimination between subclassified people with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLPB) and healthy controls. Orthopaedic Proceedings: A Supplement of the Bone & Joint Journal 97-B (S2), pp.17.
• Letchford, R. , Sparkes, V. and van Deursen, R. W. 2015. Assessing participation in the ACL injured population: selecting a patient reported outcome measure on the basis of measurement properties. The Knee 22 (3), pp.262-269. (10.1016/j.knee.2015.01.010)
• Sheeran, L. , Coales, P. J. and Sparkes, V. 2015. Clinical challenges of classification based targeted therapies for non-specific low back pain: What do physiotherapy practitioners and managers think?. Manual Therapy 20 (3), pp.456-462. (10.1016/j.math.2014.11.008)

2014

• Hemming, R. , Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2014. Intra and inter-rater reliability of spinal pelvic kinematics during functional tasks. Presented at: CITER Annual Meeting Llanelli, Wales, U.K. Sep 2014. , pp.-.
• Hemming, R. , Sheeran, L. and Sparkes, V. 2014. Regional spinal kinematics during static postures,. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Annual Conference Dublin, Ireland Nov 2014. , pp.-.
• Roos, P. E. et al. 2014. Altered biomechanical strategies and medio-lateral control of the knee represent incomplete recovery of individuals with injury during single leg hop. Journal of Biomechanics 47 (3), pp.675-680. (10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.11.046)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2014. The Cardiff classifier: Objective classification method to subgroup and predict recovery of chronic low back pain. Presented at: Physiotherapy Research Society Conference Norwich, U.K. April 2014. , pp.-.

2013

• Button, K. et al. 2013. Knee control and limb symmetry during gait are not fully recovered following anterior cruciate ligament injury. Presented at: British Association for Surgery of the Knee Annual Spring Meeting Leeds, UK 12-13 March 2013.
• Evans, N. R. et al., 2013. A 3D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting spinal motion through physiological range. European Spine Journal 22 (S1), pp.10-15. (10.1007/s00586-012-2641-0)
• Hemming, R. et al. 2013. Within- and between-day reliability of functional movements in healthy subjects using 3D motion analysis: A preliminary study. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Dubai, United Arabic Emirates 27-31 October 2013.
• Roos, P. E. et al. 2013. Knee control is not related to kinematics and kinetics and should be addressed separately in rehabilitation of knee patients. Presented at: British Association for Surgery of the Knee - 2013 Annual Conference Leeds, UK 12-13 March 2013.
• Sheeran, L. , Coales, P. J. and Sparkes, V. 2013. Clinical challenges of adopting classification guided management for non-specific chronic low back pain: what do the clinicians and managers think?. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Dubai, United Arabic Emirates 27-31 October 2013.
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2013. Classification-based cognitive functional group intervention in subgroups of non-specific chronic low back pain: Preliminary results. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Dubai, United Arabic Emirates 27-31 October 2013.
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2013. Classification-guided versus generalized postural intervention in subgroups of nonspecific chronic low back pain: a pragmatic randomized controlled study. Spine 38 (19), pp.1613-1625. (10.1097/BRS.0b013e31829e049b)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2013. Discriminating non-specific chronic low back pain clinical subgroups and monitoring recovery using objective classification method. Presented at: 8th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Dubai 27-31 October 2013.

2012

• Feldwieser, F. M. et al. 2012. Electromyographic analysis of trunk-muscle activity during stable, unstable and unilateral bridging exercises in healthy individuals. European Spine Journal 21 (S2), pp.171-186. (10.1007/s00586-012-2254-7)
• Letchford, R. et al. 2012. Assessing activity participation in the ACL injured population: a systematic review of activity rating scale measurement properties. Physical Therapy Reviews 17 (2), pp.99-109. (10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000053)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2012. Spinal position sense and trunk muscle activity during sitting and standing in non-specific chronic low back pain: classification analysis. Spine 37 (8), pp.E486-E495. (10.1097/BRS.0b013e31823b00ce)
• Sparkes, V. , Chidwick, N. J. and Coales, P. J. 2012. Effect of The Back Book on fear-avoidance beliefs, disability, and pain levels in subjects with low back pain. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 19 (2), pp.79-86.

2011

• Evans, N. et al., 2011. A 3-D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses in restricting cervical spine movement during activities of daily living. Presented at: SICOT XXV Triennial World Congress Meeting Prague 6-9 September 2011.
• Evans, N. et al., 2011. A 3D motion analysis study comparing the effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting physiological range of movement. Presented at: British Association of Spine Surgeons Edinburgh 2-4 February 2011.
• Evans, N. et al., 2011. Are Miami-J and Aspen's one-collar-fits-all cervical orthotic designs as effective at restricting cervical spine motion as their standard designs. Presented at: British Trauma Society Manchester 5-6 May 2011.
• Feldwieser, F. and Sparkes, V. 2011. Trunk muscle activity during stable and unstable, bilateral and unilateral bridging exercises. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Conference Cambridge 10-11 November 2011.
• Jones, U. F. et al. 2011. Reliability of digital analysis of thoracic, neck and head tilt measurements [Abstract]. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 93-B (SuppIV), pp.490-490.
• Nick, E. et al., 2011. The effectiveness of cervical spine orthoses at restricting spinal motion: a 3-D motion analysis study. Presented at: British Orthopaedic Research Society Cambridge 27-29 June 2011.
• Rimmer, P. A. et al. 2011. Single leg squat performance in anterior cruciate ligament injured subjects. Presented at: 3rd Joint meeting of the Bone Research Society and the British Orthopaedic Research Society Cambridge, UK 27-29 June 2011.
• Smith, M. et al. 2011. Developing an evidence based, clinical measurement tool for scapular movement – uniting the yin of published evidence and the yang of clinical opinion via the CISMA process.. Presented at: Society for Research in Rehabilitation Winter Meeting Cardiff, UK 22 February 2011.
• Smith, M. et al. 2011. Measuring Scapulothoracic Function in the Clinical Setting: developing a unified approach via the CISMA process. InTouch 134 , pp.28-30.

2010

• Sheeran, L. et al. 2010. Preliminary study: reliability of the spinal wheel. A novel device to measure spinal postures applied to sitting and standing. European Spine Journal 19 (6), pp.995-1003. (10.1007/s00586-009-1241-0)
• Sheeran, L. et al. 2010. Preliminary study: reliability of the spinal wheel. A novel device to measure spinal postures applied to sitting and standing. European Spine Journal 19 (6), pp.995-1003. (10.1007/s00586-009-1241-0)
• Smith, M. et al. 2010. Describing and quantifying scapulothoracic function: are we all on the same page or are we even reading the same book?. Presented at: International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists Edinburgh 5-8 September 2010.
• Smith, M. et al. 2010. Development of a clinical approach for assessing movement patterns in patients with shoulder pain: the CISMA process. Presented at: Aneurin Bevan Health Board Research & Development Conference Newport, Gwent, UK 9 June 2010.
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Sharp, T. N. 2010. Glenohumeral range of rotational movement, GIRD and posterior capsular tightness in competitive water polo players: relationships and practice effects. Presented at: International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists Edinburgh 5-8 September 2010.
• Sparkes, V. and Smith, M. 2010. Function of the upper limb. In: Everett, A. and Kell, C. eds. Human Movement: an Introductory Text. 6th ed.. Physiotherapy Essentials Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. , pp.155-170.
• Sparkes, V. , Whitehouse, K. and Warren, L. 2010. Abdominal muscle activity and lower limb forces when walking with Nordic walking poles. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Odense, Denmark 9-11 June 2010.

2009

• Smith, M. et al. 2009. Clinical assessment of scapulohumeral function in patients with subacromial impingement: what do shoulder clinicians attending the 2008 British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS) conference think and what do they do?. Presented at: British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS) Scientific Conference. London 24-26 June 2007.
• Smith, M. et al. 2009. Clinical assessment of scapulohumeral function in patients with subacromial impingement: What do shoulder physiotherapists think and what do they do? [Abstract]. Manual Therapy 14 (S1), pp.S50. P33. (10.1016/j.math.2009.09.001)
• Smith, M. et al. 2009. Upper and lower trapezius muscle activity in subjects with subacromial impingement symptoms: Is there imbalance and can taping change it?. Physical Therapy in Sport 10 (2), pp.45-50. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.12.002)
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Van Deursen, R. 2009. Scapulohumeral assessment in the clinical setting. Presented at: UK Shoulder Biomechanics’ Group (UKSBG) 3rd Annual Meeting Cardiff, UK 8 January 2009.

2008

• Sparkes, V. , Chidwick, N. and Coales, P. 2008. The effect of ‘The Back Book’ on pain perception, functional disability and pain in subjects with low back pain.. Presented at: International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Rotterdam, Netherlands 12 June 2008.

2007

• Sharp, T. N. , Pocock, P. E. and Sparkes, V. 2007. Trunk inclincation during cycling ; the effects on the ratio of Vastus Medialis / vsstus lateralis. Presented at: 6th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvis pain Barcelona, Spain 7-10 November 2007.
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Busse, M. 2007. The effect of scapular taping on the electromyographic activity of the upper fibres of trapezius in the therapeutic management of subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: Welsh Assembly Government Evidence Based Practice: Practice Based Evidence Conference for Midwives, Nurses, AHP and Clinical Scientists Cardiff, UK 12 July 2007.
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2007. Scapular rotator muscle imbalance in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms [Abstract]. British Journal of Sports Medicine 41 (2), pp.120. (10.1136/bjsm.2006.033944)
• Sparkes, V. and Barnford, A. 2007. The effect of fatigue on iliocostalis lumborum and superficial multifidus muscle activity in rowers. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Meeting Helsinki, Finland 28-29 June 2007.
• Sparkes, V. et al. 2007. The effect of unsupported sitting on lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. Presented at: Society of Back Pain Research Meeting Helsinki, Finland 28-29 June 2007.
• Sparkes, V. , Hawthorn, G. and Walker, V. 2007. Trunk muscle activity in upright and slumped sitting in pain free population. Presented at: 6th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain Barcelona, Spain 7-10 November 2007.
• Sparkes, V. and Jones, K. 2007. Reliability of Silicon Coach in measuring pelvic obliquity. Presented at: Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSM) Annual Conference London, UK 7-8 July 2007.
• Sparkes, V. , Smith, M. and Busse, M. 2007. Scapular taping in the therapeutic management of subacromial impingement symptoms - exploration of a clinical theory. Physiotherapy Research International 12 (4), pp.203-204. (10.1002/pri.387)

2006

• Patterson, C. and Sparkes, V. 2006. The effects of a 6 week scapular muscle exercise programme on the muscle activity of the scapular rotators in tennis players with shoulder impingement - A pilot study [Abstract]. Physical Therapy in Sport 7 (4), pp.172. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.004)
• Smith, M. and Sparkes, V. 2006. Immediate effect of scapular taping on surface electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms.[Abstract]. Physical Therapy in Sport 7 (4), pp.171. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.002)
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Busse, M. 2006. The immediate effect of scapular taping on the electromyographic activity of the scapular rotators in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms – intervention and measurement error studies.. Presented at: 3rd All – Wales Conference on Sport and Exercise Medicine and Science National conference Cardiff, UK July 6 2006.
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2006. Scapular rotator muscle imbalance in swimmers with subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) Congress Oxford, UK 5 October 2006.
• Smith, M. , Sparkes, V. and Enright, S. 2006. The effect of taping on surface EMG activity of the scapular rotators in subjects with subacromial impingement symptoms. Presented at: Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) conference and AGM 2006 London, UK 28 October 2006.
• Sparkes, V. et al. 2006. Spinal stability exercises: evidence of preferential activation of internal oblique in 3 and 2 point kneeling exercises. Physical Therapy in Sport 7 (4), pp.174-175. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2006.09.009)

2005

• Sparkes, V. et al. 2005. Muscle stabilisation exercises after lumbar disc surgery compared to mobilising exercises. Presented at: 2nd International Conference on movement dysfunction - pain and performance, evidence and effect Edinburgh, UK 23-25 September 2005.

2003

• Humphriss, R. L. et al., 2003. Contraindications to the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre: A multidisciplinary review: Contraindicaciones de la maniobra de Dix-Hallpike: Una revisión multidisciplinaria. International Journal of Audiology 42 (3), pp.166-173. (10.3109/14992020309090426)
• Sparkes, V. and Hunter, J. 2003. The thoracic spine: a source of abdominal pain. Presented at: 14th International Congress of WCPT, World Physical Therapy 2003 Barcelona, Spain 7-12 June 2003.
• Sparkes, V. et al. 2003. Recovery of lumbar multifidus following spinal surgery for single level prolapsed intervertebral disc. Presented at: 14th International Congress of WCPT, World Physical Therapy 2003 Barcelona, Spain 7-12 June 2003.