Dr Katherine Brain
Associate Lecturer
School of Health Sciences
Career Summary
Biography
Katherine is a Research Academic (Nutrition & Dietetics) with the Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition at the University of Newcastle and an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. She is also the Dietitians Association of Australia's representative on the Australian Pain Society Relationships Committee. Katherine has experience in a number of research methodologies including systematic review processes, qualitative research and managing intervention studies.
Katherine is extremely passionate about improving the quality of life of people experiencing chronic pain through dietary changes. She actively advocates to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition in chronic pain management. Katherine's PhD involved a collaboration between dietetic researchers at the University of Newcastle and clinicians at Hunter Integrated Pain Service and aimed to improve clinical outcomes of patients attending the service by improving their dietary intake and behaviours.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Chronic pain
- Diet
- Nutrition
- Telehealth
- Translational Research
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|
Casual Web Learn Tutor Nursing & Midwifery | University of Newcastle School of Nursing and Midwifery Australia |
Associate Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Health Sciences Australia |
Casual Academic | University of Newcastle School of Health Sciences Australia |
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/8/2013 - 31/12/2018 | Casual Research Assistant | Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition - The University of Newcastle Australia |
1/11/2011 - 28/2/2012 | Research Assistant | Priority Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing (RCGHA), The University of Newcastle, NSW. Australia |
Membership
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/1/2018 - | Dietitians Association of Australia Representative on the Australian Pain Society Relationship Committee | Australian Pain Society |
1/1/2015 - | Membership - Australian Pain Society | Australian Pain Society |
1/1/2014 - | Membership - Nutrition Society of Australia | Nutrition Society Australia Australia |
1/1/2012 - | Membership - Dietitians Association of Australia | Dietitians Association of Australia Australia |
Awards
Research Award
Year | Award |
---|---|
2018 |
School Health Science Research Day: Best Poster School of Health Science, Faculty of Health & Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
2018 |
School of Health Science Research Day: One minute pitch School of Health Science, Faculty of Health & Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
Scholarship
Year | Award |
---|---|
2015 |
Felicity Thompson Rainbow Foundation Top-Up Scholarship Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) |
2015 |
Australian Postgraduate Award Australian Government |
Invitations
Speaker
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2019 | The role of nutrition in chronic pain management |
2018 | Nutrition for chronic pain in the older population |
2017 | Chronic pain and the role of nutrition |
2016 | Weight loss & food: What works |
2016 | Conducting a systematic review |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
NUDI1000 |
Fundamentals in Nutrition 1 School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 1/2/2018 - 31/7/2018 |
NUDI1000 |
Fundamentals in Nutrition 1 School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 1/2/2019 - 31/7/2019 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (17 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Dong HJ, Brain K, Olsson M, Dragioti E, Gerdle B, Ghafouri B, 'Eating habits and the desire to eat healthier among patients with chronic pain: a registry-based study', Scientific Reports, 14 (2024) [C1] Healthcare professionals often meet pain patients with a poor nutritional status such as obesity, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and a suboptimal dietary intake. A poor nutritional ... [more] Healthcare professionals often meet pain patients with a poor nutritional status such as obesity, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and a suboptimal dietary intake. A poor nutritional status may play a significant role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain. This study investigated eating habits in a specialized pain rehabilitation center using data (N = 2152) from the Swedish quality registry for pain rehabilitation during the period 2016¿2021. Patients answered a lifestyle questionnaire regarding their eating habits and desire to modify their lifestyle. The mean (SD) patient age was 46.1 (14.6) years, with 24.8% classified as obese. Suboptimal eating habits included irregular mealtimes (27.2%), weekly consumption of fast-food (20.3%) and nearly daily consumption of confectionery (33.3%). Approximately 20% (n = 426) reported a desire to eat healthier. Frequent confectionery intake (Odds ratio [OR] 1.23, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.04¿1.47) and fast-food consumption (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.24¿2.02) increased the likelihood to desire healthier eating. Younger patients (18¿29 years), those classified as obese, and those with more extended spatial pain were more likely to express a desire to eat healthier. Eating habits should be addressed in pain management and interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation teams are encouraged to provide nutritional care¿tailored¿to the patient's¿needs.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2024 |
Pursey KM, Yokum S, Brain K, Burrows T, 'Neural Responses in Addictive Eating: a Systematic Review', CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS, [C1]
|
||||||||||
2022 |
Bandara EMIA, Kularathne WN, Brain K, Weerasekara I, 'Safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis', SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 12 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Elma Ö, Brain K, Dong HJ, 'The Importance of Nutrition as a Lifestyle Factor in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11 (2022) [C1] In everyday clinical practice, healthcare professionals often meet chronic pain patients with a poor nutritional status. A poor nutritional status such as malnutrition, unhealthy ... [more] In everyday clinical practice, healthcare professionals often meet chronic pain patients with a poor nutritional status. A poor nutritional status such as malnutrition, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and a suboptimal dietary intake can play a significant role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain. The relationship between nutrition and chronic pain is complex and may involve many underlying mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and glucose metabolism. As such, pain management requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach that includes nutrition. Nutrition is the top modifiable lifestyle factor for chronic non-communicable diseases including chronic pain. Optimizing one¿s dietary intake and behavior needs to be considered in pain management. Thus, this narrative review reports and summarizes the existing evidence regarding (1) the nutrition-related health of people experiencing pain (2) the underlying potential mechanisms that explain the interaction between nutrition and chronic pain, and (3) the role of nutrition screening, assessment and evaluation for people experiencing pain and the scope of nutrition practice in pain management. Future directions in the nutrition and chronic pain field are also discussed.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Whatnall MC, Skinner J, Pursey K, Brain K, Collins R, Hutchesson MJ, Burrows TL, 'Efficacy of dietary interventions in individuals with substance use disorders for illicit substances or illicit use of pharmaceutical substances: A systematic review', JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS, 34 981-993 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Brain K, Burrows TL, Bruggink L, Malfliet A, Hayes C, Hodson FJ, Collins CE, 'Diet and chronic non-cancer pain: The state of the art and future directions', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10 (2021) [C1] Nutrition plays an important role in pain management. Healthy eating patterns are associated with reduced systemic inflammation, as well as lower risk and severity of chronic non-... [more] Nutrition plays an important role in pain management. Healthy eating patterns are associated with reduced systemic inflammation, as well as lower risk and severity of chronic non-cancer pain and associated comorbidities. The role of nutrition in chronic non-cancer pain management is an emerging field with increasing interest from clinicians and patients. Evidence from a number of recent systematic reviews shows that optimising diet quality and incorporating foods containing anti-inflammatory nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, long chain and monounsaturated fats, antioxi-dants, and fibre leads to reduction in pain severity and interference. This review describes the current state of the art and highlights why nutrition is critical within a person-centred approach to pain management. Recommendations are made to guide clinicians and highlight areas for future research.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Deroover K, Siegrist M, Brain K, McIntyre J, Bucher T, 'A scoping review on consumer behaviour related to wine and health', Trends in Food Science & Technology, 112 559-580 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Kocanda L, Brain K, Frawley J, Schumacher TL, May J, Rollo ME, Brown LJ, 'The Effectiveness of Randomized Controlled Trials to Improve Dietary Intake in the Context of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Management in Rural Communities: A Systematic Review', Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121 2046-2070.e1 (2021) [C1] Background: Dietary intake is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, to our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews of nutrition interventions... [more] Background: Dietary intake is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, to our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews of nutrition interventions in the context of cardiovascular disease prevention and management within rural communities. This is important to investigate, given the unique geographic, social, and contextual factors associated with rurality. Objective: Our primary objective was to systematically assess evidence on the effectiveness of randomized controlled trials to improve dietary intake in the context of cardiovascular disease prevention and management in rural communities. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2020, including MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, Scopus, Rural and Remote Health, CINAHL, and AMED. Randomized controlled trials that reported results of interventions with adult, rural populations and measured change in dietary intake compared to usual care, alternative intervention, or no intervention controls were included. Included randomized controlled trials were also assessed according to the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Reporting) checklist and RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework. Results: Thirteen articles reporting results of randomized controlled trials were identified. Included articles reported a range of nutrition interventions and measured 18 dietary intake outcomes. Most studies (n = 10) demonstrated effectiveness in altering at least 1 dietary intake outcome, including fruit and/or vegetable (n = 9), fiber (n = 2), Dietary Risk Assessment score (n = 2), energy, dairy, carotene, vitamin C and sodium (all n = 1). However, there was wide variation in the reporting of intervention components (according to the TIDieR checklist) and impact (according to RE-AIM framework), resulting in difficulty interpreting the ¿real-world¿ implications of these results. Conclusions: Through this systematic review, we found limited evidence of improvement in dietary intakes due to nutrition interventions in the context of cardiovascular disease prevention and management in rural communities. Fruit and/or vegetable intakes were the most frequently reported dietary intake outcomes, and most likely to be improved across the included studies. Included studies were generally not well reported, which may hinder replication by clinicians and consolidation of the evidence base by other researchers. Given the substantial burden of cardiovascular disease experienced by those living in rural areas of developed countries, additional high-quality nutrition research that acknowledges the complexities of rural health is required.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Bruggink L, Hayes C, Lawrence G, Brain K, Holliday S, 'Chronic pain Overlap and specificity in multimorbidity management', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE, 48 689-692 (2019) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Brain K, Burrows TL, Rollo ME, Hayes C, Hodson FJ, Collins CE, 'The effect of a pilot dietary intervention on pain outcomes in patients attending a tertiary pain service', Nutrients, 11 (2019) [C1] The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a six-week 2 × 2 design on pain scores, quality of life, and dietary intake in patients attending an Australian tertiary pain cl... [more] The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a six-week 2 × 2 design on pain scores, quality of life, and dietary intake in patients attending an Australian tertiary pain clinic. The two intervention components were (1) personalized dietary consultations or waitlist control, and (2) active or placebo dietary supplement (fruit juice). Sixty participants were randomized into one of four groups at baseline (68% female, mean age 49 ± 15 years) with 42 completing the study (70% retention). All groups had statistically significant improvements in three of five pain outcomes. The personalized dietary consultation groups had clinically important improvements in three of five pain outcomes compared to the waitlist control groups. All groups had a statistically significant improvement in six of eight quality-of-life categories post intervention. All groups increased percentage energy from nutrient-dense foods (+5.2 ± 1.4%, p < 0.001) with a significant group-by-time effect for percentage energy from total fat (p = 0.024), with the personalized dietary consultations plus placebo fruit juice reporting the largest reduction (-5.7 ± 2.3%). This study indicates that dietitian-delivered dietary intervention can improve pain scores, quality of life, and dietary intake of people experiencing chronic pain. Future research should evaluate efficacy in a full-powered randomized control trial.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Chai LK, Collins C, May C, Brain K, Wong See D, Burrows T, 'Effectiveness of family-based weight management interventions for children with overweight and obesity: an umbrella review', JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports, 17 1341-1427 (2019) [C1] OBJECTIVES: The objective of the review was to synthesize the effectiveness and strategies used in family-based behavioral childhood obesity interventions in improving child weigh... [more] OBJECTIVES: The objective of the review was to synthesize the effectiveness and strategies used in family-based behavioral childhood obesity interventions in improving child weight-related outcomes. INTRODUCTION: Family-based interventions are common practice in the treatment of childhood obesity. Research suggests that direct parental involvement can improve child weight-related outcomes. However, challenges remain in assessing the effects of family-based interventions on child weight and weight-related behavior due to the lack of quality programs and diversity of treatment strategies. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review included systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of family-based behavioral interventions in children aged =18 who were classified as overweight and/or obese, and which reported child weight related outcomes, such as body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumferences. METHODS: Seven databases were searched from 1990 to May 2016 to identify English language publications. Reference lists of included reviews and relevant registers were also searched for additional reviews. All included systematic reviews were critically appraised by two reviewers independently. Data extracted included characteristics of included systematic reviews and weight-related outcomes reported. Data synthesis involved categorizing the interventions into seven categories and presented findings in narrative and tabular format. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: The umbrella review included 14 systematic reviews (low to moderate methodological quality), published between 2004 and 2015, including 47 independent trials ranging from one month to seven years follow-up conducted in more than 16 countries. The majority of reviews (93%) reported weight outcomes of children aged six to 13 years. All reviews except one indicated that family-based interventions were successful in improving child weight and/or weight-related behavior. Five reviews highlighted that parent-only interventions had similar (n¿=¿4) or greater (n¿=¿1) effectiveness compared to parent-child interventions. Effective interventions employed parent-targeted strategies, including nutrition and physical activity education sessions, positive parenting skills, role modelling and child behavior management to encourage positive healthy eating/exercise behaviors in children and/or whole family. CONCLUSIONS: Family-based interventions targeting parents, alone or with their child, are effective for child weight management. Due to the lack of high quality evidence, especially in emerging parent-only interventions, further research is warranted. Health practitioners can work with parents as agents of change and focus on fostering positive parenting skills, such as monitoring, reinforcement, role modelling, and providing a nurturing environment, in order to support health behaviors in their children. Future research needs to explore whether parent-only interventions are more cost-effective compared to parent-child interventions, and to include larger populations, longer intervention duration and follow-up.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Brain K, Burrows TL, Rollo ME, Chai LK, Clarke ED, Hayes C, et al., 'A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic noncancer pain', Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 32 198-225 (2019) [C1] Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions on participant reported pain severity and intensity in populations with chronic pain. Me... [more] Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions on participant reported pain severity and intensity in populations with chronic pain. Methods: Eight databases were systematically searched for studies that included adult populations with a chronic pain condition, a nutrition intervention and a measure of pain. Where possible, data were pooled using meta-analysis. Seventy-one studies were included, with 23 being eligible for meta-analysis. Results: Studies were categorised into four groups: (i) altered overall diet with 12 of 16 studies finding a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (ii) altered specific nutrients with two of five studies reporting a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (iii) supplement-based interventions with 11 of 46 studies showing a significant reduction in pain; and (iv) fasting therapy with one of four studies reporting a significant reduction in pain. The meta-analysis found that, overall, nutrition interventions had a significant effect on pain reduction with studies testing an altered overall diet or just one nutrient having the greatest effect. Conclusions: This review highlights the importance and effectiveness of nutrition interventions for people who experience chronic pain.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Hayes C, Brain K, Rollo M, Burrows T, Hodson F, Collins C, 'Population Characteristics in a Tertiary Pain Service Cohort Experiencing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: Weight Status, Comorbidities, and Patient Goals', Healthcare, 5 1-13 (2017) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2014 |
Pursey KM, Stanwell PT, Callister RJ, Brain K, Collins CE, Burrows TL, 'Neural responses to visual food cues according to weight status: a systematic review of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies', Frontiers in Nutrition, 1 1-11 (2014) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
Show 14 more journal articles |
Conference (8 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 |
Kocanda L, Collins R, Kocanda G, Katyk K, Hodson F, Lieschke G, Brain K, 'Nutrition interventions for women experiencing chronic pelvic pain: a scoping review', Canberra, ACT (2023)
|
||||
2019 |
Brain K, Bruggink L, Collins C, 'Nutritional considerations for pain management in vulnerable populations.', The Gold Coast (2019)
|
||||
2018 |
Brain K, Burrows T, Rollo M, Chai LK, Hayes C, Hodson F, Collins C, 'A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic non-cancer pain.', A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF NUTRITION INTERVENTIONS FOR CHRONIC NON-CANCER PAIN, Sydney (2018)
|
||||
Show 5 more conferences |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 1 |
---|---|
Total funding | $4,200 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20191 grants / $4,200
School of Health Sciences 2019 Strategic Pilot Grant Scheme$4,200
Funding body: 2019 School Health Science - Strategic Pilot Grant
Funding body | 2019 School Health Science - Strategic Pilot Grant |
---|---|
Scheme | The University of Newcastle |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Dr Katherine Brain
Positions
Associate Lecturer
School of Health Sciences
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Casual Customer Service Assistant
Student Central
Academic Division
Casual Web Learn Tutor Nursing & Midwifery
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Casual Academic
School of Health Sciences
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
katherine.brain@newcastle.edu.au | |
Links |
Twitter Research Networks Research Networks |