Rita Morf

Work at ZHAW

Position

PhD student / Research Assistant

Focus

Persistent (chronic) pain, Stress, Activity Patterns, Multimodal pain management, Pain neuroscience

Teaching

• Teacher in the BSc course
• Accompanying teacher Bachelor thesis

Education and Continuing education

Education

• Master of Science / Physiotherapy
  ZHAW Winterthur
  09 / 2017 - 07 / 2020
• Bachelor of Science / Physiotherapy
  ZHAW Winterthur
  09 / 2012 - 07 / 2016

Network

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0009-0002-0989-527X

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

• Morf, R., Kernwein, C., Jaeger, J., Reicherzer, L., Degenfellner, J., & Hotz-Boendermaker, S. (2025). Prognostic value of activity patterns and stress measures for persistent pain and disability in acute neck pain : a 3-month follow-up study. Frontiers in Pain Research, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2025.1686389
• Morf, R., Reicherzer, L., Degenfellner, J., Hasenbring, M., Erat, A., & Hotz-Boendermaker, S. (2025). Frequencies of persistence, activity pacing, fear avoidance and general stress in acute neck pain. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 23(100308). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2025.100308
• Hotz Boendermaker, S., Surbeck, U., Morf, R., & Pfeiffer, F. (2024). Persistence, not avoidance, is associated with low back pain : an observational cohort study. European Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.4728
• Luomajoki, H., Morf, R., & Weiss, T. (2023). Die Größe der Placebo-Effekte in klinischen Studien : Konsequenzen für die Praxis. MSK – Muskuloskelettale Physiotherapie, 27(5), 279–284. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2161-2821

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

Hotz Boendermaker, S., Surbeck, U., Morf, R., & Pfeiffer, F. (2023, September). Overactivity, not avoidance behavior, is associated with persistent low back pain : an observational cohort study. 13th Congress of the European Pain Federation (EFIC), Budapest, Hungary, 20-22 September 2023. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-30152

Other publications

• Morf, R., Reicherzer, L., Degenfellner, J., Hasenbring, M., Erat, A., & Hotz Boendermaker, S. (2025, April 25). Frequencies of persistence, activity pacing, avoidance behaviour and general stress in acute neck pain. 14th Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC, Lyon, France, 24-26 April 2025.
• Morf, R., Reicherzer, L., Degenfellner, J., Ernst, M., Pfeiffer, F., Luomajoki, H., Hasenbring, M., & Hotz-Boendermaker, S. (2024). Study protocol: Activity patterns and stress – prognostic factors for pain persistence and disability in acute neck pain. A one year prospective inception cohort study. OSF. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DFY2J
• Morf, R., Reicherzer, L., Degenfellner, J., Ernst, M., Pfeiffer, F., Luomajoki, H., Hasenbring, M., & Hotz Boendermaker, S. (2024, July 5). Study protocol: Activity patterns and stress – a one year inception cohort study in people with acute neck pain. IFOMPT 2024, Basel, Switzerland, 4-6 July 2024. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-34915

Publications before appointment at the ZHAW

• Morf, Rita; Pfeiffer, Fabian, 2022. Verhaltensänderung bei chronischen Schmerzen : eine Medaille mit zwei Seiten. pt Zeitschrift für Physiotherapeuten . 74(1), S. 23-28.
• Morf, Rita; Pfeiffer, Fabian; Hotz Boendermaker, Sabina; Meichtry, André; Luomajoki, Hannu, 2021. Prediction and trend of tactile acuity, pain and disability in acute LBP : a six-month prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 22(666).
• Luomajoki, Hannu; Morf, Rita, 2020. Placeboeffekte in wissenschaftlichen Studien. Der Schmerzpatient. 3(4), S. 166-170.

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