Alex Breen
Back to top

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.
  • 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, 15 (3-4).
  • 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.

Chapters

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

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.
  • 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 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. 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) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Theses

  • Breen, A.. 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 05:00 on February 21, 2026.