Geoff Dover, PhD

Geoff Dover is a Certified Athletic Therapist and a Certified Athletic Trainer. After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph he completed his Athletic Therapy training at Sheridan College. He then earned his masters degree and PhD at the University of Florida. For the last three years Dr. Dover was the director of the Graduate Athletic Training program at the University of Florida before starting his position here at Concordia in 2008.

Education

PhD (University of Florida), MS (University of Florida), Dip SIM (Sheridan College), BSc (Human Kinetics, University of Guelph).

Research interests

My research interests include implementing a novel biopsychosocial model that considers the potentially interactive roles played by psychological and functional risk factors in the development of chronic pain. Chronic pain is a prevalent, disabling, and costly problem for our society. Clinical outcomes following treatment of musculoskeletal  disorders are often unfavourable and, as a result, unresolved chronic pain represents a significant source of disability. My research attempts to determine the risk factors that lead to increased pain perception and decreased function in a variety of populations.

The Athletic Therapy Research Laboratory

Our lab attempts to answer why some people feel more pain than others and how this increase in pain affects recovery and function. We study injured athletes as well as the general population. In addition, we specialize in measuring pain related fear measures such as pain catastrophizing and fear avoidance. 

Selected publications

Patlan I*, Gamelin G*, Khalaj K*, Castonguay T*, Dover G. Athlete Fear Avoidance, depression, and Anxiety are associated with acute concussion symptoms in athletes. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(8), 2024. 

Rosenstein B, Montpetit C, Vaillancourt N, Dover G, Khalini-Mahani N, Weiss C, Papula LA, Melek A, Fortin M. Effect of aquatic exercise versus standard care on paraspinal and gluteal muscles morphology in individuals with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2023, 24, 977. 

The effects of combined motor control and isolated extensor strengthening versus general exercise on paraspinal muscle morphology, composition, and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Fortin M, Rye M, Roussac A*, Montpetit C, Burdick J, Naghdi N, Rosenstien B, Bertrand C, Macedo LG, Elliott JM, Dover G, DeMont R, Weber MH, Pepin V. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(18), 2023. 

Castonguay T*, Dover G. Infrared Thermography – a novel tool for monitoring fracture healing: a critically appraised topic with evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2023, 32(7): 834-839. 

Tito N*, Porter E*, Castonguay T*, Dover GC. Longitudinal validation of a specific measure of fear avoidance in athletes: Predicting time from injury to return to sports competition. Journal of Pain Research, 2023, 16:1103-1114. 

Nudo S*, Jimenez-Garcia JA, Dover G. Efficacy of topical versus oral analgesic medication compared to a placebo in injured athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2023, 33(10), 1884-1900. 

Castonguay T*, Roberts M, Dover GC. Warming up with a dynamic moment of inertia bat can increase swing speed in competitive baseball players. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 32(1), 2023.  

Fortin M, Wolfe D, Dover GC, Boily M. The effect of phasic versus combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation using the StimaWELL 120MTRS system on multifidus muscle morphology and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1) 2022.

Monticone M, Dover GC, Massidda M, Giordano A, Franchignoni F. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Athlete Fear Avoidance Questionnaire in Italian university athletes with musculoskeletal injuries. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 2022, 45(3): 223-229. 

Hindle M*, Aldinger K*, Dover GC. The influence of chronic pain and catastrophizing on patient outcomes in an athletic therapy setting. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2022, 31(1): 60-68. 

Berger Lebel F*, DeMont R, Eberman L, Dover GC. Patient outcomes significantly improve when receiving treatment by Athletic Therapy students. Journal of Athletic Training, 2022, 57(4): 360-370. 

Ericksen S*, Dover GC, DeMont R. Psychological Interventions can reduce injury risk in athletes: A critically appraised topic. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2022, 31(2): 224-229. 

Kakon G*, Mohamadi AK*, Levtova N, Maurice-Ventouris M, Benoit E, Chouchou F, Darlington PJ, Dover GC. Elevated heart rate and pain during a cold pressor test correlates to pain catastrophizing. Accepted in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

Fortin M, Rye M*, Roussac A*, Naghdi N, Macedo LG, Dover GC, Elliot JM, Demont R, Weber MH, Pepin V. The effects of combined motor control and isolated extensor strengthening versus general exercise on paraspinal muscle morphology and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial protocol. Accepted in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Hindle M*, Aldinger K*, Dover GC. The influence of chronic pain and catastrophizing on patient outcomes in an athletic therapy setting. Accepted in Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.

Berger Lebel F*, DeMont R, Eberman L, Dover GC. Patient outcomes significantly improve when receiving treatment by Athletic Therapy students. Accepted in Journal of Athletic Training. Epub May 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33975356/

Lentini, M*, Scalia J*, Berger Lebel F*, Touma F, Jhajj A, Darlington PJ, Dover GC. Catastrophizing in athletes correlates with pain and cardiovascular changes during a painful cold pressor test. Journal of Athletic Training, 2021, 56(5):473-483.

Miller MB*, Roumanis MJ*, Kakinami L, Dover GC. Chronic pain patients’ kinesiophobia and catastrophizing are associated with activity intensity at different times of the day. Journal of Pain research, May 2020, 13:273-284.

Di Lemme S*, Sanderson J, Celebrini RG, Dover GC. A comprehensive nonoperative rehabilitation program including blood flow restriction for a talus fracture in a professional hockey player: A case report. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training 2020, 25(3):121-130.