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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 364 1086
Email
debbie.snell@otago.ac.nz
Position
Research Professor
Department
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine (Christchurch)
Research summary
Neuropsychological rehabilitation

Research

Based at the Burwood Hospital Campus, Deborah co-ordinates clinical trials and oversees data collection by the COBRA team, for people undergoing hip and knee replacements in Canterbury.

She is a registered clinical psychologist and has worked in the area of neuropsychological rehabilitation for many years. She leads the Concussion Clinic at the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service at Burwood Hospital and locums for the QRS Concussion Service in Auckland once a month.

She enjoys collaboration with research colleagues around New Zealand and internationally and is the treasurer for both the NZ Rehabilitation Association and the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (Canterbury Branch).

She is focused on ensuring clinical relevance is maintained in her research activities and enjoys the dual role of working both as a practising clinician and as a health researcher.

Publications

Snell, D., Williman, J., Faulkner, J., Silverberg, N. D., Theadom, A., Surgenor, L., & Siegert, R. (2026). Factors associated with variability in recovery after mild traumatic brain injury among adults referred to outpatient concussion clinics. Brain Impairment, 27(3), IB26011. doi: 10.1071/ib26011 Journal - Research Article

Miller, R., Dunn, J. A., O'Beirne, G. A., Whitney, S. L., & Snell, D. (2026). Mild traumatic brain injury recovery: A qualitative study of noise sensitivity, vestibular issues and anxiety interactions. Brain Impairment, 27(3), IB25095. doi: 10.1071/ib25095 Journal - Research Article

Spriggs, N., Henley, S., Kabaliuk, N., Stitt, D., Heward-Swale, A. G., Xu, C., … Anderson, T., Snell, D., … Draper, N. (2026). The association between tackle technique and head acceleration events in a cross-section of adolescent female rugby players. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.08.200 Journal - Research Article

Griffiths, G. S., Lennox Thompson, B., Snell, D. L., & Dunn, J. A. (2026). A patient-informed framework for complex regional pain syndrome care delivery: A mixed-methods study. Disability & Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2710824 Journal - Research Article

Mangan, K., Henley, S., Spriggs, N., Hamlin, M. J., Kabaliuk, N., Stitt, D., … Anderson, T., … Snell, D., … Draper, N. (2026). The effect of anthropometrics and maturity status on youth rugby head impact biomechanics. Journal of Biomechanics, 205, 113403. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2026.113403 Journal - Research Article

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