Dr Nicola Massy-Westropp

Senior Lecturer UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

City East Campus (BJ2-41)
tel +61 8 830 22486

email nicola.massy-westropp@unisa.edu.au

Available for media comment
Research Degree Supervisor

About me

I started working in hand rehabilitation in 1990 as an occupational therapist, in private and public systems in Chicago, St Louis (USA) and Adelaide. I left the area of hand rehabilitation due to having rheumatoid arthritis in my own hands, and started teaching teaching anatomy to allied health students in 1998. By 2007 I had transitioned from hand rehabilitation to teaching anatomy full time, and love the subject more each day.

UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

Focused on shaping community wellbeing, UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance educates future health professionals and delivers solutions-based research that addresses global health needs.

Tweets by @UniversitySA

About me

In the media

Date	Title
06/02/2024	COSMOS Science City mysteries of the human body, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEyr8PuqmA8

Research

Research focus

Clinical Sciences
Human Movement and Sports Science
Medical and Health Sciences
Other Medical and Health Sciences
Public Health and Health Services

Highlights

Hand rehabilitation, Best Practice in Anatomy Education, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Research

Outputs

Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Highlights

Year	Output
2021	Massy-Westropp, N, Snow, A, Wechalekar, H, Siefken, K & Burlakoti, A 2021, 'Adding to the allied health student experience: motivators, deterrents, and how to get more from peer teaching', Journal of Allied Health, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 61-66. 3
2019	Massy-Westropp, N, Giles, E, Dantu, R, Wechalekar, H & Burlakoti, A 2019, 'Developing and evaluating virtual anatomy resources for teaching allied health disciplines.', Research in Learning Technology, vol. 27, pp. 1-11. Open access 2 1
2011	Massy-Westropp, NM, Gill, TK, Taylor, AW, Bohannon, RW & Hill, CL 2011, 'Hand grip strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study', BMC Research Notes, vol. 4, article no. 127, pp. 1-5. Open access 507

Chapters

Year	Output
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the abdominopelvic system', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 9, pp. 133-146.
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the head', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 6, pp. 105-115.
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the lower limb', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography: A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 11, pp. 157-168.
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the neck', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 7, pp. 117-126.
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the thoracic system', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 8, pp. 127-132.
2022	Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H, Massy-Westropp, N, Kruse, L & Chau, S 2022, 'Cross-sectional anatomy of the upper limb', in S Chau & CM Hayre (eds), Computed Tomography A Primer for Radiographers, CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, US, ch. 10, pp. 147-156.
2009	Massy-Westropp, NM & May, EJ 2009, 'Occupational Therapy', in Karen Grimmer-Somers, Saravana Kumar, Anthea Worley, Alexandra Young, Practical Tips in Finding the Evidence, UST Publishing House, Manila, Philippines, pp. 110-125.

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2024	Filkin, J, Massy-Westropp, N & Wechalekar, H 2024, 'Variability in the distance between the suprascapular notch with the spine of the scapulae and the acromion', Clinical Rheumatology, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 527-532. Open access
2024	Myles, L, Massy-Westropp, N & Barnett, F 2024, 'How and why of handgrip strength assessment', British Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 87, no. 5, pp. 321-328. Open access
2024	Prentice, CL, Milanese, S, Flavell, CA & Massy-Westropp, N 2024, 'A dose response analysis of exercise prescription variables for lateral abdominal muscle thickness and activation: A systematic review', Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, vol. 38, pp. 21-41. Open access
2023	Karjalainen, T V, Lusa, V, Page, MJ, O'Connor, D, Massy-Westropp, N & Peters, SE 2023, 'Splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome', Cochrane Library, vol. 2023, no. 2, article no. CD010003, pp. 1-156. 35 34 17
2023	Massy-Westropp, C, Massy-Westropp, N & Wechalekar, H 2023, 'Normative values for pinch strength-relationship with joint hypermobility as measured with the Beighton criteria', Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, online, pp. 1-5. Open access 2
2023	Myles, L, Massy-Westropp, N & Barnett, F 2023, 'Experiences of occupational therapy clinicians on the assessment and evaluation of adult handgrip strength', British Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 86, no. 3, pp. 188-196. 1 2 1
2021	Massy-Westropp, N, Snow, A, Wechalekar, H, Siefken, K & Burlakoti, A 2021, 'Adding to the allied health student experience: motivators, deterrents, and how to get more from peer teaching', Journal of Allied Health, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 61-66. 3
2021	Prentice, CL, Milanese, S, Massy-Westropp, N & Maranna, S 2021, 'The reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound to measure lateral abdominal muscle thickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, vol. 53, article no. 102357, pp. 1-11. 3 3 6
2021	Reinersmann, A, Skinner, IW, Lücke, T, Massy-Westropp, N, Rudolf, H, Moseley, GL & Stanton, TR 2021, 'Intact tactile anisotropy despite altered hand perception in complex regional pain syndrome: Rethinking the role of the primary sensory cortex in tactile and perceptual dysfunction', PEERJ, vol. 9, article no. e11156, pp. 1-31. Open access 5 5 12
2020	McLelland, JM, McLelland, DJ, Massy-Westropp, N, Wigmore, B, Loftus, WK & Read, RA 2020, 'Horner syndrome with ipsilateral wing paresis in a wild, juvenile yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)', Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 186-191. 3
2019	Aird, C, Thoirs, K, Maranna, S & Massy-Westropp, N 2019, 'Ultrasound measurements and assessments of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and cubital tunnel: a scoping review', Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 474-482. 4 3
2019	Massy-Westropp, N, Giles, E, Dantu, R, Wechalekar, H & Burlakoti, A 2019, 'Developing and evaluating virtual anatomy resources for teaching allied health disciplines.', Research in Learning Technology, vol. 27, pp. 1-11. Open access 2 1
2018	Nasir, S, Troynikov, O & Massy-Westropp, N 2018, 'Arthritis patients' experience and perception of therapeutic gloves', International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1-10. 2
2017	Abbas, B, Burlakoti, A, Wechalekar, H & Massy-Westropp, N 2017, 'The existence of an additional extensor of the little toe arising from the plantar surface of the calcaneus', International Journal of Anatomical Variations, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 37-38. Open access
2017	Burlakoti, A, Kumaratilake, J, Taylor, J, Massy-Westropp, N & Henneberg, M 2017, 'The cerebral basal arterial network: morphometry of inflow and outflow components', Journal of Anatomy, vol. 230, no. 6, pp. 833-841. Open access 15 13 2
2017	Jaeschke, R, Thoirs, KA, Bain, G & Massy-Westropp, N 2017, 'Systematic review: hand activity and ultrasound of the median nerve', Occupational Medicine, vol. 67, no. 5, pp. 389-393. Open access 4 3
2016	Burlakoti, A, Lee, J & Massy-Westropp, N 2016, 'An unusual presentation of tibialis anterior introduction tibialis', International Journal of Anatomical Variations, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-2. Open access
2016	Burlakoti, A, Lee, J & Massy-Westropp, N 2016, 'An unusual presentation of tibialis anterior', International Journal of Anatomical Variations, vol. 9, pp. 1-2. Open access
2015	Burlakoti, A & Massy-Westropp, N 2015, 'Bilateral variant thyroid arteries', International Journal of Anatomical Variations, vol. 8, pp. 43-46. Open access
2014	De Andrade, FA, Natali, AJ, Vieira, BC, do Valle, MAAN, Moreira, DG, Massy-Westropp, N & Marins, JCB 2014, 'The relationship between hand grip strength and anthropometric parameters in men', Archivos de Medicina del Deporte, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 160-164. Open access 13
2014	Nasir, SH, Troynikov, O & Massy-Westropp, N 2014, 'Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review', Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 226-237. Open access 18 13 234
2013	Burlakoti, A, Massy-Westropp, N & Wechalekar, H 2013, 'Variant third and fourth lumbrical muscles of the left hand', International Journal of Anatomical Variations, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 93-95.
2013	Massy-Westropp, N & Toubia, C 2013, 'Hypermobility as measured by the Beighton hypermobility test is not predictive of hand grip strength in young adults', Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, vol. 16, no. 1, article no. 1350006, pp. 1-5. 3
2013	Page, MJ, O'Connor, D, Pitt, V & Massy-Westropp, N 2013, 'Reporting of allocation method and statistical analyses that deal with bilaterally affected wrists in clinical trials for carpal tunnel syndrome', American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 92, no. 11, pp. 1012-1019. 2 2
2012	Massy-Westropp, NM, Simmonds, S, Caragianis, S & Potter, A 2012, 'Autologous blood Injection and wrist immobilisation for chronic lateral epicondylitis', Advances in Orthopedics, vol. 2012, article id 387829, pp. 1-6. Open access 6
2012	O'Connor, D, Page, M, Marshall, S & Massy-Westropp, N 2012, 'Ergonomic positioning or equipment for treating carpal tunnel syndrome (review)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 1, pp. 1-38. Open access 45 20
2012	Page, MJ, O'Connor, D, Pitt, V & Massy-Westropp, N 2012, 'Exercise and mobilisation interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome (Review)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 2012, no. 6, pp. 1-196. Open access 125 96
2012	Page, MJ, O'Connor, D, Pitt, V & Massy-Westropp, N 2012, 'Therapeutic ultrasound for carpal tunnel syndrome (review)', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 1, pp. 1-86. Open access 61 20
2011	Massy-Westropp, N, Gilbert Hunt, S, Mackintosh, S & Lewis, M 2011, 'Development of an interactive online module to prepare students for learning to measure joint range of motion', Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 185-192. Open access
2011	Massy-Westropp, NM, Gill, TK, Taylor, AW, Bohannon, RW & Hill, CL 2011, 'Hand grip strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study', BMC Research Notes, vol. 4, article no. 127, pp. 1-5. Open access 507
2011	Reuter, LSE, Massy-Westropp, NM & Evans, AM 2011, 'Reliability and validity of indices of hand-grip strength and endurance', Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 82-87. 50 45

Other outputs

Research Degree Supervision

The effect of exercise type prescriptions on lateral abdominal muscle thickness and contraction (current PhD candidate)

Diurnal variation of hand grip strength in adults (current honours student)

Sonographic appearances of the wrist extensor compartments and first metacarpophalangeal joints in sonographers (completed masters)

Therapeutic compression gloves for arthritis (completed PhD)

Effect of Repeated Hand Gripping Upon Median Nerve Cross-Section and Appearance as Visualised with Ultrasound (completed honours)

Measuring the position of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel on diagnostic ultrasound images in healthy participants(completed honours)

Reliability of diagnostic ultrasound imaging for the lateral abdominal muscles at rest (completed honours)

Thumb proprioception in generalised joint hypermobility syndrome (completed honours)

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

Interplast Australia 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 ongoing hand therapy in Asia Pacific and online education

Australian Hand Therapy Association honorary member since 2010; Reseach committee 2007-2024

British Journal of Hand Therapy Editorial board 2021 continuing

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Adelaide Zoo	AUSTRALIA
Ashford Specialist Centre	AUSTRALIA
Dr Jones and Partners Medical Imaging	AUSTRALIA
Federal University of Vicosa	BRAZIL
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health	UNITED STATES
Hospital Nova	PORTUGAL
James Cook University	AUSTRALIA
Monash University	AUSTRALIA
RMIT University	AUSTRALIA
Royal Adelaide Hospital	AUSTRALIA
Ruhr University Bochum	GERMANY
SA Hand Therapy	AUSTRALIA
Sound Radiology	AUSTRALIA
Sports Medicine Australia	AUSTRALIA
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital	AUSTRALIA
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia	MALAYSIA
University of Adelaide	AUSTRALIA
University of Canberra	AUSTRALIA
University of Connecticut	UNITED STATES
University of New South Wales	AUSTRALIA
University of Ottawa	CANADA
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Tasmania	AUSTRALIA
Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals	AUSTRALIA

External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition	Year
Editorial Board Member Hand Therapy	2024
Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee Arthritis Australia, South Australia	2024
Future Builder Award 2024 Universities Australia	2024
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2024
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2024
Pride of Australia, Conservation Category Unley Council	2024
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2024
Editorial Board Member Hand Therapy	2023
Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee Arthritis Australia, South Australia	2023
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2023
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2023
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2023
Editorial Board Member Hand Therapy	2022
Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee Arthritis Australia, South Australia	2022
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2022
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2022
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2022
Editorial Board Member Hand Therapy	2021
Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee Arthritis Australia, South Australia	2021
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2021
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2021
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2021
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2020
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2020
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2020
Volunteer Hand Therapist and Educator Interplast, Bhutan	2020
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2020
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2019
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2019
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2019
Volunteer Hand Therapist and Educator Interplast, Bhutan	2019
Volunteer hand therapist, educator Interplast Australia	2019
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2018
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2018
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2018
Carer/Volunteer Wildlife Carer	2017
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2017
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2017
Member Occupational Therapy Australia	2017
Member Australian Hand Therapy Association	2017
Member, Research and Scientific committee Australian Hand Therapy Association	2017
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2017
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2016
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2016
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2016
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2015
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2015
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2015
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2015
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2014
Honorary membership Golden Key International, UniSA Chapter	2014
Honorary Membership Australian Hand Therapy Association	2014
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2014
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2013
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2013
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2012
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2012
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2011
Pride of Australia Medal News Corp Australia	2011
Research Committee Member and Mentor Australian Hand Therapy Association	2011
Carer/Volunteer Fauna Rescue of South Australia	2010

Other

Fauna Rescue of South Australia wildlife carer since 2004

RSPCA Foster Care

Safe Pets Safe Families Foster Care

Motor Neurone Disease SA Volunteer

Teaching & student supervision

Teaching strengths

Anatomy, Hand Therapy, Systematic Review

Highlights

Teaching awards

2024Universities Australia Future Builder Award, ‘Transforming Anatomy’ ($5 000)

2023 Commendation for sustained excellence in teaching,

UniSA 2022 Commendation for sustained excellence in teaching, UniSA

2020 UniSA Team Teaching citation, ‘Using student and staff collaboration to develop, embed, evaluate and perfect a digital resource that enables learning about anatomical relationships of structures in the pelvis.’ ($5 000)

2015 Excellent Educator Award, student nominated, School of Health Sciences ($1 000)

2012 UniSA Teaching Citation, ‘For sustained commitment to meeting students’ diverse learning needs by fostering enjoyment, providing opportunities for engagement and success’ ($5 000)

2011 UniSA Supported Teacher Award ($1500)2011Student Nominated Excellent Educator Award

2011 School of Health Sciences ($5 000)

2011UniSA Supported Teacher Award ($1500)

2009 UniSA Teaching Citation, ‘For engaging students to learn actively with encouragement and relevance, offering them all possible opportunities to learn anatomy’

UniSA teaching grants

1. 2015 Digital Learning Strategy Team Grant, VERT for teaching anatomy, (project leader) Massy-Westropp, Giles, Burlakoti and Wechalekar (20k)(first applicant)

2. 2016 Digital Learning Strategy Team Grant, VERT for teaching anatomy, (project leader) Massy-Westropp, Giles, Burlakoti and Wechalekar (20k)

3. 2009 UniSA Development Team Grant, (project leader) Massy-Westropp, Interactive online programme for students learning surface anatomy (10k)

4. 2007 Team teaching and learning grant, ‘Anatomy learning spaces’ Mackintosh, De Jonge, Massy-Westropp and Grimshaw. (5k)

5. 2006 Team teaching and learning grant, (project leader) Massy-Westropp, Stenner, Gilbert-Hunt ‘an interactive range of motion module’ (5k)

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
How should exercise be prescribed for patients with persistent low back pain and lateral abdominal muscle impairments?	Current

more less

Dr Nicola Massy-Westropp

About me

About me

UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance

About me

Professional Associations

In the media

Experience

Qualifications

Work history

Research

Research focus

Highlights

Projects

Outputs

Highlights

Chapters

Journal Articles

Other outputs

Current research & highlights

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Highlights

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Editorial Board Member

Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee

Future Builder Award 2024

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Pride of Australia, Conservation Category

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Editorial Board Member

Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Editorial Board Member

Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Editorial Board Member

Education, Reserach and Advocacy Committee

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Volunteer Hand Therapist and Educator

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Volunteer Hand Therapist and Educator

Volunteer hand therapist, educator

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Carer/Volunteer

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Member

Member

Member, Research and Scientific committee

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Carer/Volunteer

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Carer/Volunteer

Honorary membership

Honorary Membership

Research Committee Member and Mentor

Carer/Volunteer

Research Committee Member and Mentor