Investigating neuropsychological presurgical predictors of treatment response following treatment for knee osteoarthritis

About the Project

Project Overview:

The GENESIS project is a multidisciplinary investigation into treatment outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis and a leading global cause of disability. Across the lifespan, symptomatic knee OA affects approximately 47% of women and 40% of men. Current treatment strategies, ranging from physiotherapy and pharmacological approaches to surgical interventions, are limited by significant variability in patient response, particularly in cases of mild-to-moderate OA where joint replacement is not yet possible or appropriate. This creates a critical need for precision in predicting individual outcomes and guiding treatment decisions.

In this context, genicular artery embolisation (GAE), a novel and minimally invasive interventional radiology technique, has emerged as a promising treatment designed to disrupt neoangiogenesis, a process believed to contribute to joint degeneration and pain. However, like other treatments including total knee replacement (TKR), a notable subset of patients experience poor outcomes despite technically successful procedures. This inconsistency underscores the importance of moving beyond a solely pathophysiological model of pain and incorporating neuroscientific, psychological, and clinical data to better understand inter-patient variability.

This PhD project offers an exciting opportunity to conduct secondary data analysis on a rich, existing dataset collected from approximately 120 patients enrolled in the GENESIS study. The dataset includes a comprehensive array of neuroscientific (e.g., neuroimaging, central sensitisation), psychological (e.g., mood, expectations), and clinical (e.g., pain severity, functional impairment) measures.

The primary aim of this project is to identify predictive markers—both biological and psychosocial—that are associated with differential treatment outcomes. This includes responders vs non-responders to GAE and other interventions. Through advanced statistical modelling and machine learning techniques, the successful applicant will examine which baseline features are most informative in forecasting treatment trajectories. Findings from this research have the potential to guide personalised treatment planning, enabling earlier and more targeted interventions to disrupt the chronic pain cycle.

The ideal candidate will have a background in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field, with experience or interest in quantitative analysis. The data-driven nature of the project would mean that confidence with packages such as Matlab or R are desired. Training will be signposted to provide these skills if required, as the use of these tools will be a requirement for the analysis of large datasets. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to clinically meaningful, data-driven advancements in the management of chronic pain in OA.

University of Reading:

The University of Reading, located west of London, England, is ranked at 172 globally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. 98% of research at the University is of international standing (REF 2021, combining the University’s world leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised submissions). The University’s main Whiteknights Campus is set in 130 hectares of beautiful, award-winning parkland, less than a 30-minute train ride to London Paddington and is approximately 30 miles from London Heathrow airport.

During your PhD at the University of Reading, you will expand your research knowledge and skills, receiving supervision and training in a number of different forms. You will be embedded within the Centre of Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, a vibrant neuroscientific community, providing a variety of training and support mechanisms for our early career researchers. As well as analytical and scientific skills, we can also provide dedicated training in important transferable skills that will support your career aspirations. If you need to develop your academic English skills before you start your studies, then the University has an excellent International Study and Language Institute which can help with this.

Eligibility:

• Applicants should have a good bachelor’s degree (minimum of a UK Upper Second (2:1) or equivalent) and a master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience or a strongly-related discipline.
• International applicants will also need to meet the University’s English Language requirements. We offer pre-sessional English courses that can help with meeting these requirements.

The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community.

How to apply:

Submit an application for a PhD in Psychology via our online application system. Applicants should also provide a brief personal statement outlining their ambitions, intentions and passion for undertaking a PhD on this project.

Funding Notes

We welcome applications from self-funded students worldwide for this project.

If you are applying to an international funding scheme, we encourage you to get in contact as we may be able to support you in your application.

References

Further information:
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences PhD webpage
Centre for Integrative Neuroscience & Neurodynamics webpage
Published methodological protocol for the GENESIS project
Enquiries:
Dr. Rich Harrison, email: rich.harrison@reading.ac.uk

• Little, M., O’Grady, A., Briggs, J., Gibson M., Speirs, A., Al-Rekabi, A., Yoong, P., Ariyanayagam, T., Davies, N., Tayton, E., Tavares, S., MacGill, S., McLaren, C., Harrison, R. (2024). Genicular Artery embolisation in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee (GENESIS) Using Permanent Microspheres: Long-Term Results. Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology, 47(12),1750-1762. Doi: 10.1007/s00270-024-03752-7.
• Little, M.W., Harrison R., MacGill, S., Speirs, A., Briggs, J.H., Tayton, E., Davies, N.L.C., Hausen, H.S., McCann, C., Levine, L.L., Sharma, R.A., Gibson, M. (2023). Genicular Artery Embolisation in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee (GENESIS 2): Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomised Sham-Controlled Trial. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, 46, 1276-1282.
• Harrison, R., Salomons, T.V., Gandhi, W., MacGill, S., McLaren, C., Little, M. (under review). The role of pain catastrophising in osteoarthritic knee pain following genicular arterial embolisation. Pre-print available here
• Harrison, R., van Reekum, C.M, Adams, G., Gandhi W., Salomons, T.V. (2025). Stable individual differences in habituation and sensitization to prolonged painful stimulation are underpinned by activity in the hippocampus, amygdala and sensorimotor cortices. Pain.