Staff profile

Dr Matthew Armstrong joined Durham University in 2024. He is a exercise physiologist whose research focuses on improving health outcomes for people living with chronic respiratory disease, with a particular emphasis on physical activity. His work centres on developing and evaluating interventions that enhance physical activity, optimise symptom management, and support psychological wellbeing within respiratory rehabilitation. He completed his PhD in 2021, investigating the integration of physical activity counselling into pulmonary rehabilitation. This research examined how behavioural interventions can translate improvements in exercise capacity into meaningful and sustained increases in physical activity, particularly in severe groups. His work contributes to the growing evidence base supporting more comprehensive, patient-centred models of care. 

Dr Armstrong's current programme of research includes leading work on BreathTec, which focuses on innovation in respiratory care and the use of technology to support self-management of breathlessness, physical activity and mental health. Alongside this, he is actively engaged in community-based initiatives targeting breathlessness and physical activity, aiming to improve support and enable individuals to better manage their condition within their community in everyday life.  

His research is driven by a commitment to helping people with chronic respiratory conditions regain independence in activities of daily living and improve quality of life. He has a strong interest in the integration of behaviour change, community delivery models, and digital innovation within rehabilitation pathways. 

Dr Armstrong is an active member of the European Respiratory Society and a British Thoracic Society Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Advisory group member. 

Research Interests

Dr Armstrong's research interests are focused upon the area of chronic respiratory disease, physical activity and self-management. This includes: 

• Breathlessness and inactivity in the community 
• Digital tools for promoting physical activity and symptom management 
• Exercise training in chronic respiratory diseases 
• Inequalities and health 

Esteem Indicators

2026: Guest Editor Collection: Discover Respiratory Physiology 

2025 - Present: British Thoracic Society Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) Member 

2025 - Present: Editorial Board Member: BMC Pulmonary Medicine 

Publication Information

ResearchGate Papers here

Scopus Profile here

Google Scholar Profile here

PhD Supervision

Dr Matthew Armstrong welcomes expressions of interest from potential PhD students. 

Conference Paper

• Implementing digital respiratory technologies: a CONNECT CRC systematic scoping review
  
  Hui, I. C., Önal Aral, A., Simons, S. O., Kolekar, S., Figueiredo, C., Condon, K., Roberts, N., Sreter, K. B., Mckeough, Z., Salim, H., Gawlik-Lipinski, A., Gonsard, A., Vanoverschelde, A., Armstrong, M., Kohlbrenner, D., Paixão, C., Stafler, P., Papadopoulou, E., Mohammad, M., … Chan, A. H. Y. (2025). Implementing digital respiratory technologies: a CONNECT CRC systematic scoping review. European Respiratory Journal [Conference abstract], 66(69), Article OA2352. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2025.oa2352
• A digital self-management programme (BreathTec) compared to standard care PR to support mental health in patients with a chronic respiratory disease: A retrospective analysis.
  
  Armstrong, M., & Heslop Marshall, K. (2025). A digital self-management programme (BreathTec) compared to standard care PR to support mental health in patients with a chronic respiratory disease: A retrospective analysis. European Respiratory Journal [Conference abstract], 66(69), Article PA3885. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2025.pa3885
• Written educational resources in pulmonary rehabilitation: Insights from pulmonary rehabilitation education consortium (PREC) patient and public involvement.
  
  Clifton, H., Loughran, K. J., Barker, R. E., Armstrong, M., Pritchard, A., Graham, L., Williams, S., Sgroi, E., Branney, J., Welch, L., & Roberts, N. J. (2025). Written educational resources in pulmonary rehabilitation: Insights from pulmonary rehabilitation education consortium (PREC) patient and public involvement. European Respiratory Journal [Conference abstract], 66(69), Article PA2770. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2025.pa2770

Journal Article

• Modernisation of chronic respiratory disease management: The integration of wearable technology
  
  Armstrong, M. (2026). Modernisation of chronic respiratory disease management: The integration of wearable technology. Chronic Respiratory Disease, 23, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731261454686
• Ventilation differences in the menstrual cycle: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  
  Rattley, C. A., Ansdell, P., Burgess, L., Felton, M., Dewhurst, S., Armstrong, M., & Neal, R. (2025). Ventilation differences in the menstrual cycle: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 337, Article 104468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2025.104468
• The effect of intensity on metabolic and ventilatory responses to steady-state exercise in women across the adult lifecycle
  
  Rattley, C. A., Ansdell, P., Armstrong, M., Felton, M., Dewhurst, S., Yendole, K., & Neal, R. A. (2025). The effect of intensity on metabolic and ventilatory responses to steady-state exercise in women across the adult lifecycle. European Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-05981-1
• Aerobic capacity and cardiopulmonary variables are not different between premenopausal, late premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women
  
  Rattley, C. A., Ansdell, P., Armstrong, M., Felton, M., Dewhurst, S., Yendole, K., & Neal, R. A. (2025). Aerobic capacity and cardiopulmonary variables are not different between premenopausal, late premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women. Physiological Reports, 13(15), Article e70503. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70503
• Implementing digital respiratory technologies for people with respiratory conditions: A protocol for a scoping review
  
  Hui, C. Y., Condon, K., Kolekar, S., Roberts, N., Sreter, K. B., Simons, S. O., Figueiredo, C., McKeough, Z., Salim, H., Gawlik-Lipinski, A., Gonsard, A., Aral, A. Ö., Vanoverschelde, A., Armstrong, M., Kohlbrenner, D., Paixão, C., Stafler, P., Papadopoulou, E., Rabe, A. P., … Chan, A. H. Y. (2024). Implementing digital respiratory technologies for people with respiratory conditions: A protocol for a scoping review. PLoS ONE, 19(12), Article e0314914. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314914
• Personalised Health Behaviour Support Programme in Adults With Post‐COVID Syndrome: A Randomised, Controlled Pilot Feasibility Trial
  
  Armstrong, M., Owen, R., Van Niekerk, K. S., & Saynor, Z. L. (2024). Personalised Health Behaviour Support Programme in Adults With Post‐COVID Syndrome: A Randomised, Controlled Pilot Feasibility Trial. Health Expectations, 27(5), Article e70079. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70079
• Topographical Distribution of Neuroanatomical Abnormalities Following COVID-19 Invasion: A Systematic Literature Review
  
  Kiyak, C., Ijezie, O. A., Ackah, J. A., Armstrong, M., Cowen, J., Cetinkaya, D., Burianová, H., & Akudjedu, T. N. (2024). Topographical Distribution of Neuroanatomical Abnormalities Following COVID-19 Invasion: A Systematic Literature Review. Clinical Neuroradiology, 34(1), 13-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-023-01344-5
• Cognitive behavioural therapy combined with physical activity behavioural modification strategies during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD
  
  Armstrong, M., Hume, E., McNeillie, L., Chambers, F., Wakenshaw, L., Burns, G., Heslop Marshall, K., & Vogiatzis, I. (2023). Cognitive behavioural therapy combined with physical activity behavioural modification strategies during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD. ERJ Open Research, 9(5), Article 00074-2023. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00074-2023
• European Respiratory Society International Congress 2021: Highlights from the Respiratory clinical care and physiology assembly
  
  Gille, T., Sivapalan, P., Kaltsakas, G., Kolekar, S. B., Armstrong, M., Tuffnell, R., Evans, R. A., Vagheggini, G., Degani-Costa, L. H., Vicente, C., Das, N., Poberezhets, V., Rolland-Debord, C., Bayat, S., Vogiatzis, I., Franssen, F. M. E., Pinnock, H., & Vanfleteren, L. E. (2022). European Respiratory Society International Congress 2021: Highlights from the Respiratory clinical care and physiology assembly. ERJ Open Research, 8(2), Article 00710-2021. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00710-2021
• Inspiratory muscle training for improving inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  
  Manifield, J., Winnard, A., Hume, E., Armstrong, M., Baker, K., Adams, N., Vogiatzis, I., & Barry, G. (2021). Inspiratory muscle training for improving inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Age and Ageing, 50(3), 716-724. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaa221
• Behavioural modification interventions alongside pulmonary rehabilitation improve COPD patients’ experiences of physical activity
  
  Armstrong, M., Hume, E., McNeillie, L., Chambers, F., Wakenshaw, L., Burns, G., Marshall, K. H., & Vogiatzis, I. (2021). Behavioural modification interventions alongside pulmonary rehabilitation improve COPD patients’ experiences of physical activity. Respiratory Medicine, 180, Article 106353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106353
• Effect of interval compared to continuous exercise training on physiological responses in patients with chronic respiratory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  
  Alexiou, C., Ward, L., Hume, E., Armstrong, M., Wilkinson, M., & Vogiatzis, I. (2021). Effect of interval compared to continuous exercise training on physiological responses in patients with chronic respiratory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Chronic Respiratory Disease, 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731211041506
• Increasing physical activity in people with COPD
  
  Armstrong, M. (2020). Increasing physical activity in people with COPD. Practice Nursing, 31(11), 461-466. https://doi.org/10.12968/pnur.2020.31.11.461
• Impact of COVID-19 shielding on physical activity and quality of life in patients with COPD
  
  Hume, E., Armstrong, M., Manifield, J., McNeillie, L., Chambers, F., Wakenshaw, L., Burns, G., Heslop Marshall, K., & Vogiatzis, I. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 shielding on physical activity and quality of life in patients with COPD. Breathe, 16(3), Article 200231. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.0231-2020
• Effect of portable non-invasive ventilation on exercise tolerance in COPD: One size does not fit all
  
  Chynkiamis, N., Armstrong, M., Hume, E., Alexiou, C., Snow, L., Lane, N. D., Hartley, T., Bourke, S. C., & Vogiatzis, I. (2020). Effect of portable non-invasive ventilation on exercise tolerance in COPD: One size does not fit all. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 277, Article 103436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2020.103436
• Use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  
  Armstrong, M., Winnard, A., Chynkiamis, N., Boyle, S., Burtin, C., & Vogiatzis, I. (2019). Use of pedometers as a tool to promote daily physical activity levels in patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Respiratory Review, 28(154), Article 190039. https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0039-2019
• Hemodynamic effects of portable non-invasive ventilation in healthy men
  
  Chynkiamis, N., Armstrong, M., Manifield, J., Hume, E., Reilly, C., Aliverti, A., O’Doherty, A. F., & Vogiatzis, I. (2019). Hemodynamic effects of portable non-invasive ventilation in healthy men. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 268, Article 103248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2019.06.005
• Personalized exercise training in chronic lung diseases
  
  Armstrong, M., & Vogiatzis, I. (2019). Personalized exercise training in chronic lung diseases. Respirology, 24(9), 854-862. https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.13639
• Intermittent Use of Portable NIV Increases Exercise Tolerance in COPD: A Randomised, Cross-Over Trial
  
  Vogiatzis, I., Chynkiamis, N., Armstrong, M., Lane, N. D., Hartley, T., Gray, W. K., & Bourke, S. C. (2019). Intermittent Use of Portable NIV Increases Exercise Tolerance in COPD: A Randomised, Cross-Over Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(1), Article 94. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8010094

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

• Valuing and Integrating PPIE in Research: Recommendations for researchers
  
  Welch, L., Williams, S., Sgroi, E., Barker, R., Pritchard, A., Graham, L., Loughran, K., Armstrong, M., Clifton, H., & Roberts, N. (2025, February 16). Valuing and Integrating PPIE in Research: Recommendations for researchers [BMJ: Evidence-Based Nursing].