Marie Kierkegaard

About me
Publications
Grants
CV
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About me

I am an associate professor (docent) in physiotherapy, and I have a joint appointment as a senior lecturer at Karolinska Institutet and physiotherapist with specialist competence in neurology at the Center of Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Stockholm Health Services, Region Stockholm. I defended my thesis in 2010 titled: Disability and physical exercise in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1. Since then, I have combined research with teaching and clinical work. I now belong to the research group Health services research in neurological conditions.

Research

My research area is functioning, disability and health, including effects of
physical exercise, in people with neurological and neuromuscular disorders.
An on-going project is to study the effects of high-intensity resistance
training in people with MS with disease-related fatigue. In addition to
studying the effects of diseases on health, function, activity and
participation in society, I also study the use and satisfaction with health
care in people with neurological/neuromuscular disease. An example of this is
the ongoing research project “To live with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS): health-related quality of life, and use and satisfaction with care
during the course of the disease”.

Articles

Journal article: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS. 2025;100:106511
High-intensity resistance training in people with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue - experiences from a randomized controlled trial: Brief title: Experiences of high-intensity resistance training in people with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue.
Tolvanen L; Christenson A; Kierkegaard M
Article: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2025;47(2):398-405
Preventing falls in multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study on user requirements for a self-management programme
Meijer U; Flink M; Tuvemo Johnson S; Kierkegaard M; Gottberg K; Ytterberg C
Article: BMJ OPEN. 2025;15(1):e089217
Effectiveness of Fewer Falls, an online group-based self-management fall prevention programme for people with multiple sclerosis: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Johnson ST; Flink M; Gottberg K; Peterson EW; Meijer U; Bylinder J; Kierkegaard M; Ytterberg C
Article: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY. 2024;95(11):jnnp-2024-333595-1020
Trajectories of self-reported fatigue following initiation of multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy
Englund S; Frisell T; Qu Y; Gandhi K; Hulten A; Kierkegaard M; Piehl F; Longinetti E
Article: HEALTH EXPECTATIONS. 2024;27(4):e14154
Development of Fewer Falls in MS-An Online, Theory-Based, Fall Prevention Self-Management Programme for People With Multiple Sclerosis
Johnson ST; Ytterberg C; Peterson E; Johansson S; Kierkegaard M; Gottberg K; Flink M
Article: PHYSIOTHERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE. 2024;40(4):714-726
The effect of neck-specific exercise and prescribed physical activity on headache and dizziness in individuals with cervical radiculopathy: Further analyses of a randomized study with a 1-year follow-up
Svensson J; Peolsson A; Hermansen A; Cross JJ; Abbott A; Cleland JA; Kierkegaard M; Halvorsen M; Dedering A
Article: MILITARY MEDICINE. 2024;189(3-4):e674-e682
High Physical Exposure During Female Recruits' Basic Military Training in Sweden-A Descriptive Study
Kierkegaard M; Tegern M; Halvarsson A; Broman L; Larsson H
Article: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS. 2023;70:104481
Predictors of patient-reported fatigue symptom severity in a nationwide multiple sclerosis cohort
Englund S; Kierkegaard M; Burman J; Fink K; Fogdell-Hahn A; Gunnarsson M; Hillert J; Langer-Gould A; Lycke J; Nilsson P; Salzer J; Svenningsson A; Mellergard J; Olsson T; Longinetti E; Frisell T; Piehl F
Article: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS. 2022;68:104106
High-intensity resistance training in people with multiple sclerosis experiencing fatigue: A randomised controlled trial
Englund S; Piehl F; Kierkegaard M
Article: BMJ OPEN. 2022;12(7):e061325
Online self-management fall prevention intervention for people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility study protocol of a parallel group randomised trial
Kierkegaard M; Peterson E; Tuvemo Johnson S; Gottberg K; Johansson S; Elf M; Flink M; Ytterberg C
Article: MILITARY MEDICINE. 2022;188(7-8):2318-2324
Test-Retest Reliability and Translation of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol Questionnaire Used in the Swedish Armed Forces
Kierkegaard M; Tegern M; Broman L; Halvarsson A; Larsson H
Article: FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH. 2022;10:827645
A Call to Use the Multicomponent Exercise Tai Chi to Improve Recovery From COVID-19 and Long COVID
Castro JP; Kierkegaard M; Zeitelhofer M
Article: JOURNAL OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES. 2021;8(6):1079-1088
Healthcare Utilisation and Satisfaction with Care in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - An Observational Study
Kierkegaard M; Gottberg K; Johansson S; Littorin S; Sandstedt P; Ytterberg C; Holmqvist LW
Article: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2021;43(17):2403-2410
Experiences of next of kin to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using invasive ventilation via tracheostomy
Gottberg K; Ytterberg C; Sandstedt P; Johansson S; Kierkegaard M
Article: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2021;43(11):1600-1604
Cross-cultural adaptation and inter-rater reliability of the Swedish version of the Chelsea critical care assessment tool (CPAX-Swe) in critically ill patients
Holdar U; Eriksson F; Siesage K; Corner EJ; Ledstrom V; Svensson-Raskh A; Kierkegaard M
Article: PHYSICAL THERAPY. 2021;101(5):pzab045
Test-Retest Reliability of the Mini-BESTest in People With Mild to Moderate Multiple Sclerosis
Wallin A; Kierkegaard M; Franzen E; Johansson S
Article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN. 2021;25(5):1162-1172
Mechanisms of recovery after neck-specific or general exercises in patients with cervical radiculopathy
Liew BXW; Peolsson A; Falla D; Cleland JA; Scutari M; Kierkegaard M; Dedering A
Article: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2021;11(1):1669
Differential effects on blood and cerebrospinal fluid immune protein markers and kynurenine pathway metabolites from aerobic physical exercise in healthy subjects
Isung J; Granqvist M; Trepci A; Huang J; Schwieler L; Kierkegaard M; Erhardt S; Jokinen J; Piehl F
Journal article: CEPHALALGIA REPORTS. 2021;4:25158163211020447
A pilot study of the feasibility of a Swedish multimodal group intervention for severe migraine—The migraine patient school
Helmerson B; Sundholm A; Hedborg K; Waldenlind E; Kierkegaard M; Remahl AIMN
Article: PM&R. 2020;12(1):64-72
What Biopsychosocial Factors are Associated With Work Ability in Conservatively Managed Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy? A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Abbott A; Allard M; Kierkegaard M; Peolsson A; Dedering A
Article: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS. 2019;35:203-208
Construct validity and test-retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Acceptance of Chronic Health Conditions Scale
Wallin A; Forslin M; Johansson S; Kierkegaard M
Article: ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROLOGY. 2019;6(8):1487-1497
Analysis of the functional capacity outcome measures for myotonic dystrophy
Jimenez-Moreno AC; Nikolenko N; Kierkegaard M; Blain AP; Newman J; Massey C; Moat D; Sodhi J; Atalaia A; Gorman GS; Turner C; Lochmueller H
Journal article: NEUROLOGY: CLINICAL PRACTICE. 2018;8(6):507-520
Consensus-based care recommendations for adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Ashizawa T; Gagnon C; Groh WJ; Gutmann L; Johnson NE; Meola G; Moxley RIII; Pandya S; Rogers MT; Simpson E; Angeard N; Bassez G; Berggren KN; Bhakta D; Bozzali M; Broderick A; Byrne JLB; Campbell C; Cup E; Day JW; De Mattia E; Duboc D; Duong T; Eichinger K; Ekstrom A-B; van Engelen B; Esparis B; Eymard B; Ferschl M; Gadalla SM; Gallais B; Goodglick T; Heatwole C; Hilbert J; Holland V; Kierkegaard M; Koopman WJ; Lane K; Maas D; Mankodi A; Mathews KD; Monckton DG; Moser D; Nazarian S; Nguyen L; Nopoulos P; Petty R; Phetteplace J; Puymirat J; Raman S; Richer L; Roma E; Sampson J; Sansone V; Schoser B; Sterling L; Statland J; Subramony SH; Tian C; Trujillo C; Tomaselli G; Turner C; Venance S; Verma A; White M; Winblad S
Article: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING. 2018;27(23-24):4321-4330
Caregiver experience, health-related quality of life and life satisfaction among informal caregivers to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A cross-sectional study
Sandstedt P; Littorin S; Widsell GC; Johansson S; Gottberg K; Ytterberg C; Olsson M; Holmqvist LW; Kierkegaard M
Article: ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION. 2018;99(12):2447-2456
The Effects of Neck-Specific Training Versus Prescribed Physical Activity on Pain and Disability in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Dedering A; Peolsson A; Cleland JA; Halvorsen M; Svensson MA; Kierkegaard M
Article: JOURNAL OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES. 2018;5(4):439-449
Disability and Contextual Factors in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - A Three-Year Observational Study.
Sandstedt P; Littorin S; Johansson S; Gottberg K; Ytterberg C; Kierkegaard M
Article: AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION. 2018;19(7-8):528-537
The Swedish motor neuron disease quality registry
Longinetti E; Wallin AR; Samuelsson K; Press R; Zachau A; Ronnevi L-O; Kierkegaard M; Andersen PM; Hillert J; Fang F; Ingre C
Article: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY. 2018;265(7):1698-1705
A 9-year follow-up study of quantitative muscle strength changes in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Gagnon C; Petitclerc E; Kierkegaard M; Mathieu J; Duchesne E; Hebert LJ
Article: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE. 2018;50(3):269-277
RESPONSIVENESS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED OUTCOME MEASURES FOR MOBILITY, BALANCE, MUSCLE STRENGTH AND MANUAL DEXTERITY IN ADULTS WITH MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY TYPE 1
Kierkegaard M; Petitclerc E; Hebert LJ; Mathie J; Gagnon C
Article: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. 2017;12(1):1325673-9
A qualitative study of cognitive behavioural therapy in multiple sclerosis: experiences of psychotherapists
Ytterberg C; Chruzander C; Backenroth G; Kierkegaard M; Ahlstrom G; Gottberg K
Journal article: NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. 2017;27:s180
P.275 Getting ready for clinical trials in myotonic dystrophy type 1 with the validation of functional outcome measures
Jimenez-Moreno A; Nikolenko N; Moat D; Mayhew A; Massey C; Gorman G; Newman J; Kierkegaard M; Atalaia A; Turner C; Lochmüller H
Article: NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. 2017;27(2):153-158
Is one trial enough for repeated testing? Same-day assessments of walking, mobility and fine hand use in people with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Kierkegaard M; Petitclerc E; Hebert LJ; Gagnon C
Article: WORLD JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDICS. 2017;8(1):68-76
Reliability and concurrent validity of postural asymmetry measurement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Prowse A; Aslaksen B; Kierkegaard M; Furness J; Gerdhem P; Abbott A
Article: JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. 2016;370:269-273
Predictors of health-related quality of life in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Sandstedt P; Johansson S; Ytterberg C; Ingre C; Holmqvist LW; Kierkegaard M
Article: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE. 2016;48(10):872-879
THE SWEDISH VERSION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS SCALE FOR PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: TRANSLATION, CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES
Forslin M; Kottorp A; Kierkegaard M; Johansson S
Article: JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES. 2016;362:251-257
High-intensity resistance training in multiple sclerosis - An exploratory study of effects on immune markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and on mood, fatigue, health-related quality of life, muscle strength, walking and cognition
Kierkegaard M; Lundberg IE; Olsson T; Johansson S; Ygberg S; Opava C; Holmqvist LW; Piehl F
Article: BMC NEUROLOGY. 2016;16:32
Variations in and predictors of the occurrence of depressive symptoms and mood symptoms in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal two-year study
Johansson S; Gottberg K; Kierkegaard M; Ytterberg C
Article: MEDICINE. 2015;94(24):e999
Dimensions Underlying Measures of Disability, Personal Factors, and Health Status in Cervical Radiculopathy A Cross-Sectional Study
Halvorsen M; Kierkegaard M; Harms-Ringdahl K; Peolsson A; Dedering A
Journal article: PHYSIOTHERAPY. 2015;101:e747
High-intensity resistance training in multiple sclerosis—an exploratory study
Kierkegaard M; Lundberg I; Olsson T; Opava C; Piehl F; Holmqvist LW
Article: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2013;35(21):1798-1807
Effects of hand-training in persons with myotonic dystrophy type 1-a randomised controlled cross-over pilot study
Aldehag A; Jonsson H; Lindblad J; Kottorp A; Ansved T; Kierkegaard M
Article: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2012;18(5):639-646
The relationship between walking, manual dexterity, cognition and activity/participation in persons with multiple sclerosis
Kierkegaard M; Einarsson U; Gottberg K; von Koch L; Holmqvist LW
Article: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE. 2011;43(8):695-702
FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTS OF A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME IN ADULTS WITH MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY TYPE 1: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT STUDY
Kierkegaard M; Harms-Ringdahl K; Edstrom L; Holmqvist LW; Tollback A
Article: DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION. 2011;33(19-20):1826-1836
Functioning and disability in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Kierkegaard M; Harms-Ringdahl K; Holmqvist LW; Tollback A
Article: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE. 2009;41(7):512-520
PERCEIVED FUNCTIONING AND DISABILITY IN ADULTS WITH MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY TYPE 1: A SURVEY ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING, DISABILITY AND HEALTH
Kierkegaard M; Harms-Ringdahl K; Holmqvist LW; Tollback A
Article: NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. 2007;17(11-12):943-949
Reliability and feasibility of the six minute walk test in subjects with myotonic dystrophy
Kierkegaard M; Tollback A
Journal article: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY. 2005;7(1):2-6
Inter-and intra-rater reliability of the B. Lindmark Motor Assessment
Kierkegaard M; Tollback A
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All other publications

Review: CLINICAL REHABILITATION. 2023;37(2):162-176
Self-management of falls in people with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review
Tuvemo Johnson S; Flink M; Peterson E; Gottberg K; Elf M; Johansson S; Kierkegaard M; Ytterberg C
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2022;28(3_SUPPL):405-406
High-intensity resistance training in fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis - a randomized controlled trial
Englund S; Piehl F; Kierkegaard M
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2021;27(2_SUPPL):256-257
Predictors of self-reported fatigue in a large real world multiple sclerosis cohort
Englund S; Kierkegaard M; Longinetti E; Frisell T; Piehl F
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2020;26(3_SUPPL):198-199
Test-retest reliability of the mini-bestest in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis
Wallin A; Kierkegaard M; Franzen E; Johansson S
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2019;25:825-826
Construct validity and test-retest reliability of the Swedish version of the acceptance of chronic health conditions scale
Wallin A; Forslin M; Johansson S; Kierkegaard M
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2019;25:193
Relation of fatigue to clinical and patient-reported disease measures in MS - baseline results from the CombatMS Study
Englund S; Kierkegaard M; Frisell T; Piehl F
Conference publication: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL. 2019;25:638
Is the Swedish checklist individual strength a valid and responsive measure of fatigue?
Wessberg S; Kierkegaard M
Conference publication: CEPHALALGIA. 2019;39:332
Migraine patient school (MPS) - A structured multimodal educational programme for patients with high frequency and chronic migraine
Ackelman BH; Sundholm A; Kierkegaard M; Hedborg K; Waldenlind E; Ingela A; Remahl MN
Other: JOURNAL OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES. 2018;5(4):523-537
Report of the third outcome measures in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (OMMYD-3) international workshop Paris, France, June 8, 2015.
Gagnon C; Heatwole C; Hébert LJ; Hogrel J-Y; Laberge L; Leone M; Meola G; Richer L; Sansone V; Kierkegaard M
Review: DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY. 2017;59(3):291-296
Participation restriction in childhood phenotype of myotonic dystrophy type 1: a systematic retrospective chart review
Gagnon C; Kierkegaard M; Blackburn C; Chrestian N; Lavoie M; Bouchard M-F; Mathieu J
Meeting abstract: NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. 2012;22(9-10):895-896
Effects of a physical exercise programme in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1-A one-year follow-up study
Kierkegaard M; Holmqvist LW
Doctoral thesis: 2010
Disability and physical exercise in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Kierkegaard M
Meeting abstract: NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. 2008;18(9-10):744
Perceived functioning and disability in subjects with myotonic dystrophy
Kierkegaard KME; Tollback A; Edstrom L

Grants

A self-management program to prevent falls in people with multiple sclerosis - a randomized controlled trial
Swedish Research Council
1 January 2024 - 31 January 2026
A self-management program to prevent falls in people with multiple sclerosis - a randomized controlled trial
Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
1 January 2024 - 31 December 2026
A self-management program to prevent falls in ambulatory and non-ambulatory community dwelling people with multiple sclerosis
Swedish Research Council
1 January 2021 - 31 December 2023
A self-management program to prevent falls in ambulatory and non-ambulatory community dwelling people with multiple sclerosis
Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022
To live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): health-related quality of life, and use and satisfaction with care during the course of the disease
Swedish Research Council
1 January 2015 - 31 December 2017

Employments

Senior Lecturer/Physcial Therapist, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2020-

Degrees and Education

Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2019
Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 2010
Master Of Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet, 1998

About me

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