Organization & Structure

The scientific organization of the research in the CIM is divided in three Pillars, which are designed to form a translational trajectory from clinical research to implementation and dissemination of the innovative and effective interventions. Pillar I Epidemiology and clinical research, Pillar II Applied artificial intelligence research, and Pillar III Personalized interventions and models of care.


Pillar I

Leader Bjørnar Berg

Main objectives To understand mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal disorders; To develop and improve prognostic models relevant for musculoskeletal health; To validate prognostic models in samples including participants from other countries; To compare the performance of prognostic models developed by traditional statistical methods and  machine learning approaches

Overarching research questions #1 What are the underlying mechanisms of persistent musculoskeletal disorders? #2 Why do patients respond differently to clinical treatments? #3 What are the characteristics (sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, environmental) of individuals who develop persistent musculoskeletal disorders, individuals with good/poor prognosis, and individuals with good response to prevention strategies and treatments? #4 What are valid prognostic factors for different musculoskeletal health outcomes?

Data and methods We will use existing data from data sources in Norway and other Scandinavian countries, i.e. large population-based cohorts, health surveys, national registries and clinical studies.

Projects AID-Spine, Co-occurrent project, Bridge builder project

Pillar II

Leader Hårek Haugerud

Main objectives To apply artificial intelligence research to develop tools, processes, and services with the aim to improve effectiveness of musculoskeletal management in clinical care, work and education

Projects AID-Spine, Co-occurrent project, Bridge builder project

Pillar III

Leader Marianne Bakke Johnsen

Main objectives To develop and evaluate clinical care, work and health education interventions and to implement interventions based on existing knowledge and new knowledge from Pillar I and Pillar II

Projects HEYoung Study, HEYoung Intervention Study

Pillar IV

Leader Per Koren Solvang

Main objectives To apply high-quality qualitative methods in the study of musculoskeletal disorders and their treatment

Projects HEYoung Intervention Study, Bridge builder project, AID-Spine



Pillar Leaders

Bjørnar Berg

Leader Pillar I

Hårek Haugerud

Leader Pillar II

Marianne Bakke Johnsen

Leader Pillar III

Per Koren Solvang

Leader Pillar IV