Dr Matthew Bursnall

School of Medicine and Population Health

Medical Statistician, Research Fellow

Matthew Bursnall
Profile picture of Matthew Bursnall
m.bursnall@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0889
Barber House

Full contact details

Dr Matthew Bursnall
School of Medicine and Population Health
Barber House
Sheffield
S10 2HQ
Profile

I joined the CTRU in 2018, having previously worked as a statistician in the Department for Education and as an econometrician at the National Institute for Economic and Social Research. I mainly work on the statistical design and analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) but am also involved in observational studies and quantitative social research. Most of my experience has been in the areas of mental health and wellbeing of adults and children, Rare diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Stem Cell therapy.

Qualifications

PhD in Statistics, University of Sheffield 2001
MSc in Statistics, University of Sheffield 1995
BSc in Mathematics, University of Sheffield 1994

Research interests

I have an interest in the following research:

  • Design and analysis methods for trials for rare diseases
  • Sample size estimation for studies with clustering in a single arm
  • Assumptions for the inter-class correlation coefficient in cluster trials in the absence of previous evidence
  • Unbiased estimation of treatment effects in step-up trials where group-based treatment intensity is increased depending on a post-randomisation interim outcome.
  • Simulating trials using Causal analysis within a Target Trial Framework
     

Current projects

I am currently involved in the delivery of the following projects as part of the statistical team

Changing Clinical Practice for Rare Diseases Through Innovative Trial Designs

 A double blinded placebo control study of Mesenchymal Intravenous Stromal cell Infusions in children with recessive dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. This is a collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

 The trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety profile of Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (aHSCT) vs ‘highly effective’ Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) – Ocrelizumab, Alemtuzumab, Cladribine and Ofatumumab. This is a collaboration with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

 A randomised CONtrolled trial of Tailored Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for older people with treatment resistant Generalised Anxiety Disorder. This is a collaboration with University College London.

 RadiO fRequency ablatION for haemorrhoids (ORION). A Pragmatic multicentre patient-/assessor-blind parallel-group individual participant randomised (1:1 allocation) randomised controlled trial. This is a collaboration with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

 The project is working to re-design services and deliver improved outcomes for people living with Crohn’s and Colitis.  This is a collaboration with Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

Recent projects

  • ESEE Steps - Enhancing Social-Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years
  • ISOCIALISE - Investigating SOcial Competence and Isolation in children with Autism taking part in Lego®-based therapy clubs In School Environments
  • PRIEST - Pre-hospital Pandemic Respiratory Infection Emergency System Triage
  • VTEAM - Venous Thromboembolism Assessment Model Study
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Horner D, Rex S, Reynard C, Bursnall M, Bradburn M, de Wit K, Goodacre S & Hunt BJ (2023) . BMJ Open, 13(2).
  • Gould RL, Thompson BJ, Rawlinson C, Kumar P, White D, Serfaty MA, Graham CD, McCracken LM, Bursnall M, Bradburn M , Young T et al (2022) . BMC Neurology, 22(1).
  • Bywater T, Berry V, Blower S, Bursnall M, Cox E, Mason-Jones A, McGilloway S, McKendrick K, Mitchell S, Pickett K , Richardson G et al (2022) . PLoS ONE, 17(4).
  • Bursnall M, Thomas BD, Berntsson H, Strong E, Brayne M & Hind D (2022) . Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health, 9(3), 251-262.
  • Thomas B, Goodacre S, Lee E, Sutton L, Bursnall M, Loban A, Waterhouse S, Simmonds R, Biggs K, Marincowitz C , Schutter J et al (2021) . Emergency Medicine Journal, 38(8), 587-593.
  • Butcher B & Bursnall M (2013) . National Institute Economic Review, 225, F4-F14.

Conference proceedings

  • Martin RJ, Bursnall MC & Stillman EC (2001) (pp 225-239)

All publications

Journal articles

  • Gould RL, Thompson BJ, Rawlinson CV, Bursnall M, Bradburn M, Keetharuth AD, Young T, Lawrence V, White DA, Howard RJ , Serfaty MA et al (2025) . Health Technol Assess, 29(51), 1-28.
  • Bageta ML, Lopez-Balboa P, Bursnall M, Glover R, Hutchence K, Papaioannou D, Biggs K, Julious S, Wilson I, Tappenden P , Turton E et al (2025) . EClinicalMedicine.
  • Kingsley E, Biggs K, Solaiman K, Packham A, Nekooi R, Bursnall M, McKendrick K, Cooper CL & Wright B (2025) . Research Methods in Medicine & Health Sciences, 6(2), 49-63.
  • Rawlinson C, Gould RL, McDermott CJ, Thompson B, Weeks K, Gossage-Worrall R, Serfaty MA, Graham CD, McCracken L, White D , Howard RJ et al (2024) . The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 17.
  • Gould RL, McDermott CJ, Thompson BJ, Rawlinson CV, Bursnall M, Bradburn M, Kumar P, Turton EJ, White DA, Serfaty MA , Graham CD et al (2024) . The Lancet.
  • Keetharuth AD, Gould R, McDermott C, Thompson B, Rawlinson C, Bradburn M, Bursnall M, Kumar P, Turton E, Tappenden P , White D et al (2024) . European Journal of Neurology, 31(8).
  • Horner DE, Davis S, Pandor A, Shulver H, Goodacre S, Hind D, Rex S, Gillett M, Bursnall M, Griffin X , Holland M et al (2024) . Health Technology Assessment, 28(20).
  • Brittain G, Petrie J, Duffy KEM, Glover R, Hullock K, Papaioannou D, Roldan E, Beecher C, Bursnall M, Ciccarelli O , Coles AJ et al (2024) . BMJ Open, 14(2).
  • Wright B, Kingsley E, Cooper C, Biggs K, Bursnall M, Wang H-I, Chater T, Coates E, Teare MD, McKendrick K , Gomez de la Cuesta G et al (2023) . Public Health Research, 11(12).
  • Gould RL, Rawlinson C, Thompson B, Weeks K, Gossage-Worrall R, Cantrill H, Serfaty MA, Graham CD, McCracken LM, White D , Howard RJ et al (2023) . Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9.
  • Sheldon EM, Bursnall M, Hawkins R, Roman SC, Randall K, Winsor G, WAKEMAN R, Hind D & Lobo AJ (2023) . Gastroenterology, 164(6).
  • Wright B, Kingsley E, Cooper C, Biggs K, Bursnall M, Wang H-I, Chater T, Coates E, Teare MD, McKendrick K , Gomez de la Cuesta G et al (2023) . Autism, 27(8), 2281-2294.
  • Horner D, Rex S, Reynard C, Bursnall M, Bradburn M, de Wit K, Goodacre S & Hunt BJ (2023) . BMJ Open, 13(2).
  • Sheldon E, Roman S, Bursnall M, Hawkins R, Lobo A, Hind D, Randall K, Wakeman R & Ainley R (2023) . Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 17(Supplement_1), i431-i432.
  • Girling C, Lee MJ, Vimalchandran D, Jayne DJ, Stancliffe S, Wailoo A, Bradburn M, Hind D, Bursnall M, Robinson LK & Brown SR (2023) . Techniques in Coloproctology, 27(2), 117-124.
  • Gould RL, Thompson BJ, Rawlinson C, Kumar P, White D, Serfaty MA, Graham CD, McCracken LM, Bursnall M, Bradburn M , Young T et al (2022) . BMC Neurology, 22(1).
  • Bywater T, Berry V, Blower S, Bursnall M, Cox E, Mason-Jones A, McGilloway S, McKendrick K, Mitchell S, Pickett K , Richardson G et al (2022) . PLoS ONE, 17(4).
  • Anders J, Foliano F, Bursnall M, Dorsett R, Hudson N, Runge J & Speckesser S (2022) . Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 15(4), 748-779.
  • Bursnall M, Thomas BD, Berntsson H, Strong E, Brayne M & Hind D (2022) . Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health, 9(3), 251-262.
  • Wang H-I, Wright BD, Bursnall M, Cooper C, Kingsley E, Le Couteur A, Teare D, Biggs K, McKendrick K, de la Cuesta GG , Chater T et al (2022) . BMJ Open, 12(1).
  • Blower SL, Berry VL, Bursnall MC, Cohen J, Gridley N, Loban A, Mandefield L, Mason-Jones AJ, McGilloway S, McKendrick KL , Mitchell SB et al (2021) . Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(8), 1933-1949.
  • Thomas B, Goodacre S, Lee E, Sutton L, Bursnall M, Loban A, Waterhouse S, Simmonds R, Biggs K, Marincowitz C , Schutter J et al (2021) . Emergency Medicine Journal, 38(8), 587-593.
  • Wyld L, Reed MWR, Collins K, Burton M, Lifford K, Edwards A, Ward S, Holmes G, Morgan J, Bradburn M , Walters SJ et al (2021) . British Journal of Surgery, 108(5), 499-510.
  • Stevens R, Bursnall M, Chadwick C, Davies H, Flowers M, Blundell C & Davies M (2020) . Foot and Ankle International, 41(1), 31-36.
  • Butcher B & Bursnall M (2013) . National Institute Economic Review, 225, F4-F14.
  • Martin RJ, Bursnall MC & Stillman EC (1999) . Statistics and Computing, 9(3), 229-237.
  • Bywater T, Berry V, Blower S, Bursnall M, Cox E, Mason-Jones A, McGilloway S, McKendrick K, Mitchell S, Pickett K , Richardson G et al () . Public Health Research, 10(8), 1-162.

Conference proceedings

  • Ezaydi N, McCormick S, Bursnall M, Sheldon E, Ainley R, Hind D & Lobo A (2024) . Poster Presentations (pp A61.2-A62)
  • Totton N, Sheldon E, Ezaydi N, Bursnall M, Hind D, Wakeman R & Lobo A (2024) . Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Vol. 18(Supplement 1) (pp I837-I837). Stockholm, Sweden, 21 February 2024 - 21 February 2024.
  • Sheldon E, Bursnall M, Ainley R, Roman S, Randall K, Hind D & Lobo A (2023) . Poster presentations (pp A224-A225)
  • Martin RJ, Bursnall MC & Stillman EC (2001) (pp 225-239)

Digital content

  • Bursnall MC SAP changing mindsets EEF.
  • Bursnall M Embedding Formative Assessment SAP.

Scholarly editions

  • Bursnall M, Nafilyan V & Speckesser S An analysis of the duration and achievement of apprenticeships in England.

Preprints

  • Goodacre S, Thomas B, Sutton L, Bursnall M, Lee E, Bradburn M, Loban A, Waterhouse S, Simmonds R, Biggs K , Marincowitz C et al (2020) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Biggs K, Thomas B, Goodacre S, Lee E, Sutton L, Bursnall M, Loban A, Waterhouse S, Simmonds R, Marincowitz C , Schutter J et al (2020) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Professional activities and memberships

I am the independent statistician on the Data Monitoring Committee or Trial Steering Committees for three trials:

  • TBI Sertraline - A multi-centre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of sertraline in preventing depression in adults following a traumatic brain injury.
  • iACT4CARERS –A randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of internet-delivered self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for family carers of people with dementia.
  • PROSPECT - A multi-centre, two-arm Phase III single-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the clinical cost-effectiveness of targeted psychological therapy for suicidal male prisoners by enhancing access to therapies.