* Professore ordinario in Riabilitazione dei Disturbi Muscolo-Scheletrici presso la Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), Responsabile della Ricerca del Dipartimento Economia Aziendale, Sanità e Sociale (DEASS) e Direttore del Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (2rLab)
* Dottorato di Ricerca (PhD) conseguito presso la Queen Margaret University di Edimburgo
* Già docente del modulo sul distretto cervicale presso il Master in Riabilitazione dei Disordini Muscolo-Scheletrici dell’Università degli Studi di Genova
* Fisioterapista OMPT
Marco Barbero è fisioterapista, Professore ordinario in Riabilitazione dei Disturbi Muscolo-Scheletrici presso la Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (SUPSI), dove ricopre il ruolo di Responsabile della Ricerca del Dipartimento Economia Aziendale, Sanità e Sociale (DEASS), dirige il Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (2rLab) ed è membro della Direzione Ricerca e Innovazione.
Laureato in Fisioterapia presso l’Università degli Studi di Milano nel 1999, ha conseguito nel 2005 il Master in Riabilitazione dei Disordini Muscolo-Scheletrici presso l’Università degli Studi di Genova e nel 2016 il Dottorato di Ricerca (PhD) presso la Queen Margaret University di Edimburgo, con un progetto dedicato ai trigger point miofasciali.
La sua attività scientifica è focalizzata sulla valutazione e sul trattamento del dolore muscolo-scheletrico, sulla fisioterapia basata sulle evidenze, sulla terapia manuale, sulla neurofisiologia del dolore e sulla ricerca clinica applicata alla riabilitazione. Coordina numerosi progetti di ricerca nazionali e internazionali e collabora con università e centri di ricerca in Europa.
Autore di oltre 170 pubblicazioni scientifiche su riviste internazionali peer-reviewed, è tra i ricercatori italiani più autorevoli nell’ambito della fisioterapia muscolo-scheletrica. È inoltre Editor-in-Chief della rivista internazionale Archives of Physiotherapy e svolge attività di revisione scientifica per numerose riviste del settore.
Parallelamente all’attività accademica e di ricerca, mantiene un costante impegno nella pratica clinica e nella formazione post-laurea di fisioterapisti e professionisti sanitari, partecipando come relatore e docente a master universitari e corsi specialistici in Italia e all’estero.
Nel corso della sua carriera ha ricoperto incarichi di docenza presso il Master in Riabilitazione dei Disordini Muscolo-Scheletrici dell’Università degli Studi di Genova e continua a collaborare con numerose istituzioni accademiche internazionali. È inoltre membro del Consiglio Direttivo della Società Italiana di Fisioterapia (SIF).
PRINCIPALI PUBBLICAZIONI
2026
- Pain Distribution and its Association With Neuropathic Pain Features and Assumed Central Sensitization in Acute Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study
De-La-Rosa-Castilla F, Anarte-Lazo E, Falla D, Bernal-Utrera C, Rodríguez-Blanco C, Barbero M.
Clinical Journal of Pain. 2026 Apr 23. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000001394. - Headache, not neck pain, primarily influences the extent of pain in the neck region in symptomatic office workers. Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluations
Marchenko M, Domingues L, Barbero M, Cescon C, Falla D, Ernst MJ; NEXpro collaboration group.
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2026;42(5):689-699.
2025
- Diffusion tensor imaging of white matter integrity and pain-related outcomes in chronic nonspecific neck pain
Chaikla R, Wantanajittikul K, Barbero M, Falla D, Sremakaew M, Uthaikhup S.
Scientific Reports. 2025;15(1):41383. - Brain metabolic alterations in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain assessed using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Chaikla R, Kothan S, Barbero M, Falla D, Sremakaew M, Uthaikhup S.
Scientific Reports. 2025;15(1):40485. - Upper trapezius muscle stiffness among musicians with and without playing-related musculoskeletal disorders: a cross-sectional study
Cruder C, Schönhofer P, Schneebeli A, Vercelli S, Barbero M.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025;26(1):870. - Validation of a Novel Device for Assessing Neck Muscle Strength
Arvanitidis M, Mak HHK, Martinez-Valdes E, Barbero M, Falla D.
Archives of Physiotherapy. 2025;15:148-157. - Spatial distribution of pain in complex regional pain syndrome
Drummond PD, Rossen-Abercromby M, Quartermaine A, Ye D, Barbero M, Finch PM.
Pain. 2025;166(10):2342-2354.. - The Convergent Validity of Pain Drawings and Anatomic Checklists in Individuals With Chronic Pain
Fung J, Evans DW, Falla D, Barbero M.
Clinical Journal of Pain. 2025;41(7):e1290. - Risk factors associated with the development and persistence of pain in adolescents: an international Delphi study
Folli A, Falla D, Miró J, Ickmans K, Barbero M.
Pain Reports. 2025;10(2):e1260. - Effects of neck-exercise and health promotion on headache outcomes in office workers: secondary analysis of the NEXpro stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Ernst MJ, Meichtry A, Luedtke K; NEXpro collaboration group; Falla D.
The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2025;26(1):30. - Cost-utility and cost-benefit analysis of a multi-component intervention (NEXpro) for neck-related symptoms in Swiss office workers
Brunner B, Aegerter AM, Johnston V, Volken T, Deforth M, Sjøgaard G, Elfering A, Melloh M; NEXpro Collaboration Group.
BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):160.
2024
- The association between neuropathic pain features and central sensitization with acute headache associated to a whiplash injury
Anarte-Lazo E, Barbero M, Bernal-Utrera C, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Falla D.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2024;74:103212. - A decade of growth: preserving the original meaning of research for physiotherapists
Barbero M, Guccione A, Paci M.
Archives of Physiotherapy. 2024;14:80-82. - Reporting the Location and Extent of Pain in Adolescents: A Test-Retest Reliability Study
Folli A, Falla D, Cescon C, Vanoni F, Soldini E, Barbero M.
Pain Physician. 2024;27(5):E637-E643. - Changes in Multiple Aspects of Pain Outcomes After Rehabilitation: Analysis of Pain Data in a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of Adding Sensorimotor Training to Manual Therapy and Exercise for Chronic Neck Pain
Uthaikhup S, Sremakaew M, Treleaven J, Jull G, Barbero M, Falla D, Cescon C.
Clinical Journal of Pain. 2024;40(4):212-220. - Reliability of the Pen-on-Paper Pain Drawing Analysis Using Different Scanning Procedures
Barbero M, Cescon C, Schneebeli A, Falla D, Landolfi G, Derboni M, Giuffrida V, Rizzoli AE, Maino P, Koetsier E.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2024;67(2):e129-e136.
2023
- Do metrics derived from self-reported and clinician-reported pain drawings agree for individuals with chronic low back pain?
Barbero M, Piff M, Evans D, Falla D.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2023;68:102871. - Cervical musculoskeletal impairments and pressure pain sensitivity in office workers with headache
Ernst MJ, Sax N, Meichtry A, Aegerter AM, Luomajoki H, Lüdtke K, Gallina A, Falla D; NEXpro collaboration group.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2023;66:102816. - Factors predicting the transition from acute to persistent pain in people with ‘sciatica’: the FORECAST longitudinal prognostic factor cohort study protocol
Schmid AB, Ridgway L, Hailey L, Tachrount M, Probert F, Martin KR, Scott W, Crombez G, Price C, Robinson C, Koushesh S, Ather S, Tampin B, Barbero M, Nanz D, Clare S, Fairbank J, Baskozos G.
BMJ Open. 2023;13(4):e072832. - Determining the level of cervical radiculopathy: Agreement between visual inspection of pain drawings and magnetic resonance imaging
Marco B, Evans D, Symonds N, Peolsson A, Coppieters MW, Jull G, Löfgren H, Zsigmond P, Falla D.
Pain Practice. 2023;23(1):32-40.
2022
- Inter-rater reliability, discriminatory and predictive validity of neck movement control tests in office workers with headache and/or neck pain
Ernst MJ, Klaus S, Lüdtke K, Gallina A, Falla D; NEXpro collaboration group.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2022;62:102685. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102685. - Estimating Risk of Chronic Pain and Disability Following Musculoskeletal Trauma in the United Kingdom
Evans DW, Rushton A, Middlebrook N, Bishop J, Barbero M, Patel J, Falla D.
JAMA Network Open. 2022;5(8):e2228870. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.28870. - Pain Extent Is Not Associated with Sensory-Associated Symptoms, Cognitive or Psychological Variables in COVID-19 Survivors Suffering from Post-COVID Pain
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Fuensalida-Novo S, Ortega-Santiago R, Valera-Calero JA, Cescon C, Derboni M, Giuffrida V, Barbero M.
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(15):4633. doi:10.3390/jcm11154633. - Digital pain extent is associated with pain intensity but not with pain-related cognitions and disability in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study
Luque-Suarez A, Falla D, Barbero M, Pineda-Galan C, Marco D, Giuffrida V, Martinez-Calderon J.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23(1):727. doi:10.1186/s12891-022-05700-3. - Does Pain Extent Predict Ongoing Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders?
Alalawi A, Evans DW, Liew B, Peolsson A, Heneghan N, Rushton A, Peterson G, Barbero M, Falla D.
Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(3):555. doi:10.3390/jcm11030555.
2021
- Five Recommendations to Address the Limitations of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Cook CE, Wright A, Wittstein J, Barbero M, Tousignant-Laflamme Y.
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;51(12):562-565. - Digital pain drawings are a useful and reliable tool for assessing patients with temporomandibular disorders
Pitance L, De Longhi B, Gerard E, Cayrol T, Roussel N, Cescon C, Falla D, Barbero M.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2021;48(7):798-808. - Patterns of pain location in music students: a cluster analysis
Cruder C, Barbero M, Soldini E, Gleeson N.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2021;22(1):184.
2020
- Clinical Significance and Diagnostic Value of Pain Extent Extracted from Pain Drawings: A Scoping Review
Barbero M, Navarro-Santana MJ, Palacios-Ceña M, Ortega-Santiago R, Cescon C, Falla D, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C.
Diagnostics. 2020;10(8):604.
2019
- Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points: evaluation and treatment in patients with musculoskeletal pain
Barbero M, Schneebeli A, Koetsier E, Maino P.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care. 2019;13(3):270-276. - Variability of the helical axis during active cervical movements in people with chronic neck pain
Alsultan F, Cescon C, De Nunzio AM, Barbero M, Heneghan NR, Rushton A, Falla D.
Clinical Biomechanics. 2019;62:50-57.
2017
- Can parameters of the helical axis be measured reliably during active cervical movements?
Barbero M, Falla D, Clijsen R, Ghirlanda F, Schneebeli A, Ernst MJ, Cescon C.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2017;27:150-154. - Pain extent is associated with pain intensity but not with widespread pressure or thermal pain sensitivity in women with fibromyalgia syndrome
Barbero M, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Palacios-Ceña M, Cescon C, Falla D.
Clinical Rheumatology. 2017;36(6):1427-1432. - Topographical Distribution of EMG Activity in the Upper Trapezius Muscle in People With Myofascial Trigger Points
Barbero M, Falla D, Cescon C.
Clinical Journal of Pain. 2017;33(5):473-474.
2016
- The Location of Peak Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity During Submaximal Contractions is not Associated With the Location of Myofascial Trigger Points: New Insights Revealed by High-density Surface EMG
Barbero M, Falla D, Mafodda L, Cescon C, Gatti R.
Clinical Journal of Pain. 2016;32(12):1044-1052.
2015
- Test-retest reliability of pain extent and pain location using a novel method for pain drawing analysis
Barbero M, Moresi F, Leoni D, Gatti R, Egloff M, Falla D.
European Journal of Pain. 2015;19(8):1129-1138.
2014
- Methodological analysis of finite helical axis behavior in cervical kinematics
Cescon C, Cattrysse E, Barbero M.
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2014;24(5):628-635.
2013
- Myofascial trigger points and innervation zone locations in upper trapezius muscles
Barbero M, Cescon C, Tettamanti A, Leggero V, Macmillan F, Coutts F, Gatti R.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2013;14:179. - Bilateral and multiple cavitation sounds during upper cervical thrust manipulation
Dunning J, Mourad F, Barbero M, Leoni D, Cescon C, Butts R.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2013;14:24.
2012
- Intra-rater reliability of an experienced physiotherapist in locating myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle
Barbero M, Bertoli P, Cescon C, Macmillan F, Coutts F, Gatti R.
Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2012;20(4):171-177.
Profilo scientifico
Docenti dei Corsi ECM Fisio Kinesis
