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Dr. Chinonso Igwesi-Chidobe

Assistant Professor

Area
Sch. of Allied Health Prof. & Midwifery
Faculty of Health Studies
E-mail
c.igwesi-chidobe@bradford.ac.uk
Phone
+441274238553
Dr. Chinonso Igwesi-Chidobe

Biography

Dr. Chinonso Igwesi-Chidobe qualified as a physiotherapist and started her career as a clinical physiotherapist, first rotating through the specialty areas of physiotherapy, and later specialised clinically within the area of paediatric neurological physiotherapy. She is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, and King’s College London where she graduated with several distinctions and awards. She is a fellow of the higher education academy (FHEA) United Kingdom, and completed certificate programmes from Harvard Medical School, University College London, Keele University, and the National Health Service. She is a Chartered physiotherapist in the United Kingdom, a member of Chartered Physiotherapists in Global Health, and a member of the International Society of Global Health. She supports the representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in UK academia through the Brad-ATTAIN programme. As an advocate in the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE), she works to improve access and participation of BAME people in postgraduate research study across Yorkshire. 

She has been teaching or conducting research within the fields of Paediatric and adult neurological physiotherapy, Primary Care, Public health, Global health, Community Physiotherapy, and Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) in Nigeria, United Kingdom and Switzerland. She interned in Community-Based Rehabilitation at the World Health Organisation Headquarters office, Geneva, Switzerland. 

She developed the first biopsychosocial intervention for the primary care management of non-specific chronic low back pain in a rural African population, which won the Schlumberger faculty for the future doctoral fellowship award (The Netherlands). She completed a postdoctoral research post in the field of primary care physiotherapy at the then research institute for primary care and health sciences, Keele University, United Kingdom. She has been a recipient of NIHR and international research grants. She is the first physiotherapist and first African to win (runner-up) the Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact. 

She moved through the academic ranks and was promoted to an Associate Professor in Community Physiotherapy and Global health in Nigeria in 2021 before joining the University of Bradford in late October 2022.  

Her research interests include: Chronic Pain, Chronic disease, Behaviour change, Physical activity, Development and evaluation of complex interventions, Self-management of chronic conditions, Disability, Community-Based Rehabilitation, Biopsychosocial model of Health, Health inequality/vulnerable groups, Implementation Science, Cross-cultural research, Public Health, Global Health, Primary Care, Community Health, Applied Health /Health Services and Policy Research.  

PhD applicants to the University of Bradford interested in undertaking research around chronic pain or chronic disease management in black and ethnic minority populations in high income countries including the UK, or amongst vulnerable population groups in low- and middle-income countries can contact her.   

Scholarship support for international PhD applicants


If you are an international PhD applicant with a very good first degree and/or masters degree and you are interested in studying any type of chronic pain in low and middle income populations, get in touch for support with scholarship applications.  

Research

Chronic Pain, Chronic disease, Behaviour Change, Physical Activity, Development and evaluation of complex interventions, Self-management, Disability, Community-Based Rehabilitation, Biopsychosocial model of Health, Public Health, Global Health, Primary Care, Community Health, Applied Health /Health Services and Policy Research, Health inequality/vulnerable groups, Implementation Science, Cross-cultural research

Research projects

Teaching

Paediatric neurological physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy
Health Promotion and Public Health
Primary Care
Global Health 
Research Methods and Project
Community Based Rehabilitation

Professional activities

Education (4)

  • UNILAG - BPT
  • UNN - MPH
  • King's College London - PhD
  • Harvard Medical School - Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19

Other activities (1)

  • Topic Editor for Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences:

Professional associations (4)

  • International Society of Global Health, Member
  • Chartered Society of Physiotherapy , Member
  • Health and Care Professions Council , Registrant
  • Chartered Physiotherapists in Global Health (ADAPT), Member

Publications

Book (1)

  • Foundational Physiotherapy Clinical Posting Manual

    CN Igwesi-Chidobe (2012) A-Solutions.

Book chapter (1)

  • Exploring the meaning of chronic low back pain as a life of 'living death' in rural Nigeria

    C.N Igwesi-Chidobe (2022) Meanings of Pain, Volume 3: Vulnerable or Special Groups of People. Springer International Publishing AG.

Conference contribution (29)

  • The Good Back Programme: ​Patient and Public Involvement of rural patients with chronic low back pain, rural community health workers, physiotherapists and general practice doctors in programme refinement and initial grant development (GBP-Nigeria project), Plenary presentation at the 19th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care

    Chinonso Igwesi-Chidobe1,2, Charity Amarachukwu2,3, Chinwe Obiekwe2,3, Emmanuel Aguwa2,4, Kadiree Fatai2,3, Kelechi Ukwuoma2,3, ​ Bryony Dawkins5, Joseph Hicks5, Emma Godfrey6 ​ (2025) 19th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care.

  • ‘Caged in hell or unable to escape’: the lived experiences of adult stroke survivors in rural Nigeria Physiotherapy UK Birmingham 2023

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2023. ‘Caged in hell or unable to escape’: the lived experiences of adult stroke survivors in rural Nigeria. Physiotherapy UK 2023 Birmingham (2023) ‘Caged in hell or unable to escape’: the lived experiences of adult stroke survivors in rural Nigeria Physiotherapy UK Birmingham.

  • The relative importance of biomechanical versus psychosocial factors in predicting clinical outcomes in people with a history of low back pain: results from two population-based cross-sectional studies 18th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care 2023

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2023.The relative importance of biomechanical versus psychosocial factors in predicting clinical outcomes in people with a history of low back pain: results from two population-based cross-sectional studies.BNPF,The Netherlands (2023) The relative importance of biomechanical versus psychosocial factors in predicting clinical outcomes in people with a history of low back pain: results from two population-based cross-sectionalstudies.

  • Exploring the clinical utility of postural outcome tools: a systematic scoping review at the Physiotherapy UK 2023 Birmingham

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2023. Exploring the clinical utility of postural outcome tools: a systematic scoping review. Physiotherapy UK Birmingham (2023) Exploring the clinical utility of postural outcome tools: a systematic scoping review at the Physiotherapy UK 2023 Birmingham .

  • Occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial predictors of neck pain intensity, neck disability and work-related disability among construction labourers: a population-based cross-sectional COMUNN 2022

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2022. Occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial predictors of neck pain intensity, neck disability and work-related disability among construction labourers: a population-based cross-sectional study. COMUNN Nigeria (2022) Occupational biomechanical and occupational psychosocial predictors of neck pain intensity, neck disability and work-related disability among construction labourers: a population-based cross-sectional.

  • Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes: a systematic review COMUNN 2022

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2022. Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes: a systematic review . UNN Conference (2022) Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes: a systematic review.

  • Biopsychosocial factors associated with a current episode of low back pain: a population-based cross-sectional study amongst urban market traders with previous history of low back pain in Nigeria ACAPN 2022

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2022.Biopsychosocial factors associated with a current episode of low back pain: a population-based cross-sectional study amongst urban market traders with previous history of low back pain in Nigeria. UNN Nigeria (2022) Biopsychosocial factors associated with a current episode of low back pain: a population-based cross-sectional study amongst urban market traders with previous history of low back pain in Nigeria .

  • Experiences, perceptions, and behaviours of COVID-19 Survivors: a systematic review of qualitative studies UNN 2022

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2022. Experiences, perceptions, and behaviours of COVID-19 Survivors: a systematic review of qualitative studies. UNN Conference Nigeria (2022) Experiences, perceptions, and behaviours of COVID-19 Survivors: a systematic review of qualitative studies .

  • Self-Management Education for non-specific chronic low back pain: a critical review of the literature and opportunities in primary and community health care in rural Nigeria UNN 2022

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2022. Self-Management Education for non-specific chronic low back pain: a critical review of the literature and opportunities in primary and community health care in rural Nigeria . UNN Institute of Education, Nigeria (2022) Self-Management Education for non-specific chronic low back pain: a critical review of the literature and opportunities in primary and community health care in rural Nigeria.

  • No ‘butterflies in the stomach’: cross-cultural adaptation and validation findings of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in Nigeria SAPC 2021

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2021. No ‘butterflies in the stomach’: cross-cultural adaptation and validation findings of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in Nigeria. World Physiotherapy Congress, Online (2021) No ‘butterflies in the stomach’: cross-cultural adaptation and validation findings of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in Nigeria .

  • ‘Are culturally relevant measures of pain coping strategies needed in African primary care? Findings from the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire among people with chronic low back pain FOSS World Physiotherapy 2021

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2021.‘Are culturally relevant measures of pain coping strategies needed in African primary care? Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the CSQ among people with CLBP, Society for Academic Primary Care, Leeds, UK (2021) ‘Are culturally relevant measures of pain coping strategies needed in African primary care? Findings from the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire among peop.

  • Are community-based exercise programmes effective in reducing pain and disability in pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review with meta-analyses World Physiotherapy 2021

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2021. Are community-based exercise programmes effective in reducing pain and disability in pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review with meta-analyses at the World Physiotherapy Congress, Online (2021) Are community-based exercise programmes effective in reducing pain and disability in pregnancy-related musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review with meta-analyses .

  • The effect of aerobic and breathing exercises on the Cardiopulmonary function of adults living with sickle cell Disease: a randomized clinical trial protocol UNN 2021

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2021.The effect of aerobic and breathing exercises on the Cardiopulmonary function of adults living with sickle cell Disease: a randomized clinical trial protocol, UNN Nigeria (2021) The effect of aerobic and breathing exercises on the Cardiopulmonary function of adults living with sickle cell Disease: a randomized clinical trial protocol .

  • ‘They were laughing at us and mocking us’: the experiences of people attending a novel behavioural programme for chronic low back pain in a rural Nigerian primary care centre SAPC 2021

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2021. They were laughing at us and mocking us’: the experiences of people attending a novel behavioural programme for chronic low back pain in a rural Nigerian primary care centre Society for Academic Primary Care, Leeds, UK (2021) ‘They were laughing at us and mocking us’: the experiences of people attending a novel behavioural programme for chronic low back pain in a rural Nigerian primary care centre.

  • 10. Back Pain in Nigeria and the African Region. Invited keynote speech at the 17th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care (11-13 November 2021).

    (2021) 17th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care (11-13 November 2021).

  • Minimal-contact physiotherapy interventions for pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of interventional clinical studies UNN 2020

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2020. Minimal-contact physiotherapy interventions for pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of interventional clinical studies. 4th Scientific Conference of the ACAPN Nigeria (2020) Minimal-contact physiotherapy interventions for pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of interventional clinical studies.

  • An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of frontline physiotherapists managing covid-19 in Nigeria ACAPN 2020

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2020. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of frontline physiotherapists managing covid-19 in Nigeria. 4th Scientific conference. ACAPN Nigeria (2020) An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of frontline physiotherapists managing covid-19 in Nigeria.

  • What are the support needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? A meta-ethnography of qualitative studies SAPC 2018

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2018. What are the support needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? A meta-ethnography of qualitative studies. Poster presentation at the Society for Academic Primary Care, London, UK (2018) What are the support needs of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? A meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.

  • Patient direct access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy in primary care: perceptions of patients, general practitioners, physiotherapists and clinical commissioners in England Physiotherapy UK 2018

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al.,2018.Patient direct access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy in primary care: perceptions of patients, general practitioners, physiotherapists and clinical commissioners in England. Platform, Physiotherapy UK, Birmingham (2018) Patient direct access to musculoskeletal physiotherapy in primary care: perceptions of patients, general practitioners, physiotherapists and clinical commissioners in England.

  • Behavior change intervention components for improving physical activity in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa: A systematic mixed studies review Public Health Forum Liverpool 2016

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2016. Behavior change intervention components for improving physical activity in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa: A systematic mixed studies review. Platform, Public health PhD symposium, Liverpool, UK (2016) Behavior change intervention components for improving physical activity in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa: A systematic mixed studies review.

  • Feasibility of a Physiotherapist-led community-based self-management programme for reducing non-specific chronic low back pain disability in rural Nigeria European Congress of World Physiotherapy

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2016.Feasibility of a Physiotherapist-led community-based self-management programme for reducing non-specific chronic low back pain disability in rural Nigeria. Rapid 5 platform. European region of the WCPT Liverpool, UK (2016) Feasibility of a Physiotherapist-led community-based self-management programme for reducing non-specific chronic low back pain disability in rural Nigeria.

  • Qualitative exploration of Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: Towards evidence-informed Physiotherapy practice WCPT Singapore 2015

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2015.Qualitative exploration of Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: Towards evidence-informed Physiotherapy practice. Platform (oral) presentation, World Confederation for Physical Therapy-World Cong. Singapore (2015) Qualitative exploration of Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: Towards evidence-informed Physiotherapy practice.

  • Predictors of self-reported disability in community dwelling adults with non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria WCPT Singapore 2015

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2015. Predictors of self-reported disability in community dwelling adults with non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria. Platform (oral) presentation, World Confederation for Physical Therapy-World Congress Singapore (2015) Predictors of self-reported disability in community dwelling adults with non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria.

  • Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: A qualitative exploration of beliefs, experiences and self-management practices African Region of WCPT 2014

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2014. Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: A qualitative exploration of beliefs, experiences and self-management practices, Poster presentation, World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)-Africa Regional Co (2014) Non-specific chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria: A qualitative exploration of beliefs, experiences and self-management practices.

  • Paradigm shift in Military/Paramilitary recruitment/training may reduce associated mortality NSP 2012

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2012. Paradigm shift in Military/Paramilitary recruitment/training may reduce associated mortality, Poster presentation at the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) Conference of 2012 at Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. (2012) Paradigm shift in Military/Paramilitary recruitment/training may reduce associated mortality.

  • Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of principles of Exercise Prescription among Physiotherapists in Nigeria UNILAG 2012

    Igwesi-Chidobe et al., 2012. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of principles of Exercise Prescription among Physiotherapists in Nigeria by okafor UAC, Aweto HA, Adewole HA, Igwesi-Chidobe CN and Odebiyi DO, Oral/platform presentation at the University (2012) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of principles of Exercise Prescription among Physiotherapists in Nigeria .

Other publication (3)

Peer reviewed journal (53)