Personal profile
Research Interests
Joint injuries and chronic musculoskeletal pain
Current research focus:
- Interplay between chronic pain and sleep
- Osteoarthritis
- Knee injuries
- Analgesic use in relation to injuries and musculoskeletal pain
Ongoing cohorts, projects and randomized controlled trials:
- Understanding the relationship between physiological sleep assessed using ear EEG and (chronic) pain
- Digitally delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT‑I) for patients with chronic pain and insomnia - The Back2Sleep Trial (RCT).
- Melatonin for Chronic Back Pain - The MOCHA trial (RCT).
- A Cognitive Functional Therapy+ Pathway Versus an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Pathway for Patients With Severe Chronic Low Back Pain - The CONFeTTI Trial (RCT).
- A randomized trial of heavy resistance training for patients with symptomatic knee joint hypermobility - The HIPErKnee trial (RCT).
- Knee Arthroscopy Cohort Southern Denmark - The KACS cohort.
Curriculum
JBT is employed as Professor of Musculoskeletal Health and is head of the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy at the Dept. of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics. He is also affiliated to the Research Unit of General Practice at the Dept. of Public Health, and The Pain Research Group at The Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (Odense University Hospital). He has a background in Sports Science and Health (MSc) and defended his PhD in 2011.
JBT is head of the PhD program in ‘Physical activity and Musculoskeletal Health’ at SDU and have supervised 10 PhD students and more than 40 MSc thesis of which about half has resulted in peer-reviewed publications. He holds several competitive grants from Independent Research Fund Denmark and has been Associate Editor for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2018-2021). In addition, he perform ad-hoc reviews of grants and for scientific journals including for top journals such as BMJ, NEJM, JAMA, Ann Intern Med, Ann Rheum Dis, Osteoarthritis & Cartilage and British Journal of Sports Medicine.
JBT in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-bloch-thorlund-bb41b272/
JBT on twitter: @jbthorlund
Link to list of publications in PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Thorlund+JB
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Research output
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Longitudinal associations between BMI changes and musculoskeletal pain in older European males and females
Brown, A. A., Lykkegaard, J., Thorlund, J. B., Möller, S., Søndergaard, J. & Ahrenfeldt, L. J., 8. Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Journal of Obesity. 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Melatonin for Chronic Back Pain (The Mocha Trial) – A Randomized, Double Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Kilic, K., Bruun-Plesner, K., Vægter, H. B., Hartvigsen, J., Søndergaard, J., Kidmose, P., Koes, B. W. & Thorlund, J. B., Nov 2026, p. 17. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference without publisher/journal › Conference abstract for conference › Research › peer-review
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Progressive resistance training following multiple anterior cruciate ligament graft failures in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a case report
Vejlin, M., Andersen, S. B., Thorlund, J. B. & Liaghat, B., 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference without publisher/journal › Poster › Research › peer-review
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Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP). Melatonin for Chronic Back Pain (The MOCHA Trial): A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
Kilic, K., Vægter, H. B., Thorlund, J. B., Bruun-Plesner, K., Vach, W., Hartvigsen, J., Koes, B., Kidmose, P., Søndergaard, J. & Mohamad, N. N., 2026, 21 p.Research output: Other contribution › Net publication - Internet publication › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile23 Downloads (Pure) -
Time to wake up to the potential benefits of targeting sleep in osteoarthritis management
Hall, M., Ferreira, P., Eyles, J., Hawker, G., Smith, S. S., Egorova-Brumley, N., McCurry, S. M., Thorlund, J. B. & Klyne, D. M., 22. Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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Exercise for knee osteoarthritis pain: High-value care
Thorlund, J. B. (Guest lecturer)
2024Activity: Talks and presentations › Conference presentations
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Forbrug af receptpligtig smertestillende medicin før og efter træning og patientuddannelse til patienter med knæ- og hofteartrose
Thorlund, J. B. (Guest lecturer)
2024Activity: Talks and presentations › Conference presentations
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Behandling af unge patienter med meniskskader – Nyeste viden
Thorlund, J. B. (Guest lecturer)
2023Activity: Talks and presentations › Guest lectures, external teaching and course activities at other universities
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Current Evidence for Management of Osteoarthritis
Thorlund, J. B. (Guest lecturer)
2023Activity: Talks and presentations › Conference presentations
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Exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis pain
Thorlund, J. B. (Guest lecturer)
2023Activity: Talks and presentations › Conference presentations
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The Associations between Body Mass Index, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Use and Musculoskeletal Complaints
Brown, A. A. (PhD student), Lykkegaard, J. (Co-supervisor), Thorlund, J. B. (Co-supervisor) & Ahrenfeldt, L. J. (Principal supervisor)
01/02/2025 → 31/01/2028
Project: PhD Project
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Sov godt med kroniske smerter
Vægter, H. B. (Project participant), Kilic, K. (PhD student), Stage Olsen, M. L. (PhD student), Jespersen, J. (Project participant) & Thorlund, J. B. (Co-supervisor)
02/01/2023 → 31/12/2027
Project: Research
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REDO: REDucing Opioid use for osteoarthritis – the role of exercise therapy and patient education (REDO)
Johansson, M. (Co-PI), Thorlund, J. B. (Co-PI), Pottegård, A. (Project participant), Søndergaard, J. (Project participant), Englund, M. (Project participant), Grønne, D. T. (Project participant), Roos, E. M. (Project participant) & Skou, S. T. (Project participant)
01/04/2020 → 31/12/2023
Project: Research
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DREAM: A randomized controlled trial of meniscal tear treatment in young adults
Skou, S. T. (PI) & Thorlund, J. B. (Co-PI)
01/08/2016 → 31/12/2022
Project: Research
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RATE: The effect of targeted exercise on kneemuscle function in patients with persistent hamstring deficiency following ACL reconstruction – study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Bregenhof, B. (Project manager), Jørgensen, U. (Coordinator), Jensen, C. (Coordinator), Aagaard, P. (Coordinator), Nissen, N. (Coordinator), Creaby, M. W. (Coordinator), Thorlund, J. B. (Coordinator), Torfing, T. (Coordinator) & Holsgaard-Larsen, A. (Head coordinator)
01/01/2017 → 01/01/2022
Project: Research
File
Datasets
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Data from: Large regional differences in incidence of arthroscopic meniscal procedures in the public and private sector in Denmark
Hare, K. B. (Creator), Vinther, J. H. (Creator), Lohmander, L. S. (Creator) & Thorlund, J. B. (Creator), Dryad Digital Repository, 20. Jan 2015
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.fq268, https://zenodo.org/record/4946182
Dataset
Press/Media
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Young Adults With Knee Injuries May Not Need Surgery
19/02/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Der mangler anbefalet behandling til hypermobile led og knæsmerter
16/12/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Der mangler anbefalet behandling til hypermobile led og knæsmerter
13/12/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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DREAMing of better care for meniscus tears, with Drs Jonas Thorlund and Søren Skou
19/08/2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Prizes
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Guy G. Simoneu Excellence in Research Award for the paper ‘The Effect of Progressive Exercise on Knee Muscle Strength and Function in Participants with Persistent Hamstring Deficit Following ACL Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial’ (Co-author)
Thorlund, J. B. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
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Theo van Rens Best Best Paper Award
Thorlund, J. B. (Recipient), 28. Apr 2022
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
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Named world expert in ‘Meniscus’ by Expertscape.com
Thorlund, J. B. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
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Faculty1000 abstract prize
Thorlund, J. B. (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
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Elite Research Travel Grant
Thorlund, J. B. (Recipient), 2010
Prize: Prizes, scholarships, distinctions
Teaching & Supervision
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Exercise as Prevention and Treatment for Chronic Disease
Bricca, A. & Sandal, L. F. 01/11/2025 → …
Course: Teaching