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Michael Ferraro

@mcferraro.bsky.social
71 followers 102 following 12 posts

Doctoral candidate, NeuRA & UNSW Medicine

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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Retracted studies keep getting cited — even after retraction. We evaluated whether we could improve journal policies to prevent citation of retracted research across top anaesthetics and pain journals. Full text: associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epub/10....
associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
An audit and feedback intervention to reduce inappropriate citation of retracted anaesthetic and pain medicine publications
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JAMA @jama.com · 15/06/2026
Low back pain is defined as pain located below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, with or without leg pain and is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting people of all ages. Learn more in this Review: ja.ma/3SbmHVN
JAMA Review on Low Back Pain, published June 15, 2026. Figure 1 illustrates lumbar spine anatomy with posterior, lateral, and superior views, labeling vertebrae, muscles, nerves, and disks. Section B details pathophysiology with diagrams of lumbar radiculopathy (compressed nerve root, sciatic nerve pain) and spinal stenosis (disk protrusion, enlarged facet joint).
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Out today in @annalsofim.bsky.social doi.org/10.7326/ANNA... Our systematic review of 11 RCTs found bisphosphonates may reduce short-term pain but increase risk for AEs. Results limited by substantial, unexplained heterogeneity, introduced by inclusion of terminated trial data.
doi.org
Efficacy and Safety of Bisphosphonates for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 0, No 0
Background: Clinical guidelines recommend bisphosphonates for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) despite limited evidence of efficacy. Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of bisphosphonat...
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1... INSPECT-SR: A tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials.
medrxiv.org
INSPECT-SR: a tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials
The integrity of evidence synthesis is threatened by problematic randomised controlled trials (RCTs). These are RCTs where there are serious concerns about the trustworthiness of the data or findings....
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
To do no harm, we must first “know harms” Our new perspective piece on the challenge of measuring and reporting adverse events in interventions for pain is now available in @painthejournal.bsky.social dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pa... @iasp.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social @britishpainsoc.bsky.social
dx.doi.org
To do no harm, we must first “know harms”. The challenge of ... : PAIN
An abstract is unavailable.
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James McAuley @james-mcauley.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Is medical practice ahead of the evidence?
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
@efic.bsky.social @britishpainsoc.bsky.social @auspainsoc.bsky.social
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Out today 🚨 Our Cochrane review of 67 RCTs finds no clear evidence of benefit for ketamine or other NMDA antagonists for chronic pain. IV ketamine associated with risk of psychotomimetic effects, nausea, and vomiting. doi.org/10.1002/1465...
doi.org
Ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists for chronic pain - Ferraro, MC - 2025 | Cochrane Library
Select your preferred language for Cochrane reviews and other content. Sections without translation will be in English.
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The Medical Journal of Australia @mja.com.au · 24/07/2025
Despite a large body of new evidence, our best treatments for neuropathic pain continue to provide only modest benefits, write Michael Ferraro and Dr Nadia Soliman buff.ly/F5irUsl
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
One-Page Patient Fact Sheets for Low Back Pain in Primary Care url:https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2836549?utm_source=bluesky&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=072425
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The Medical Journal of Australia @mja.com.au · 21/07/2025
Despite a large body of new evidence, our best treatments for neuropathic pain continue to provide only modest benefits, write Michael Ferraro and Dr Nadia Soliman buff.ly/F5irUsl
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Florian Naudet @floriannaudet.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
🥁 This week, we submitted to BMC medicine our stage 2 registered report "Efficacy and safety of esketamine for ‘treatment-resistant depression’: registered report for a systematic review with an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials". 🧵
medrxiv.org
Efficacy and safety of esketamine for treatment resistant depression: registered report for a Systematic Review with an Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Contr...
Background In 2019, the FDA and EMA approved intranasal esketamine for treatment resistant depression (TRD). The current study re–evaluated its efficacy and safety. Methods This registered report pres...
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JAMA Network Open @jamanetworkopen.com · 17/07/2025
RCT: Among patients with low back pain, a nondirective information sheet listing treatment options improved patient-reported preparedness for decision-making more than a directive advice sheet. ja.ma/4nUr96z
Visual Abstract
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hjhansford.bsky.social @hjhansford.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
One-Page Patient Fact Sheets for Low Back Pain in Primary Care Fact sheets do better than regular advice to support shared decision making! jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
One-Page Patient Fact Sheets for Low Back Pain in Primary Care
This randomized clinical trial compares the effects of 1-page fact sheets that adopt either an information-listing approach or a direct advice approach on management of low back pain to prepare patien...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Delighted that the editors of 15 Pain and Anaesthesiology have chosen to endorse and amplify the ENTRUST-PE framework. More info here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/entrus... @iasp.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social @britishpainsoc.bsky.social @ukrio.bsky.social @coarassessment.bsky.social
linkedin.com
ENTRUST-PE: endorsement by senior editors of 15 Pain and Anaesthesiology Journals
We are beyond delighted that the ENTRUST-PE framework has been endorsed by the Editors in Chief of 15 International Pain and Anaesthesiology journals. Those editors are copublishing, across the journa...
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PAIN @painthejournal.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
#PAIN joins with other editors of pain-related journals to affirm our editorial commitment to trust and integrity in science. Read our joint statement at bit.ly/4lj3b3b
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The Journal of Pain @thejournalofpain.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Editorial: The editors-in-chief from @thejournalofpain.bsky.social & other pain/anesthesia journals come together to align and strengthen initiatives to enhance research integrity, trust, and impact across our field. Full: doi.org/10.1016/j.jp...
doi.org
Redirecting
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Karen Davis @karenddavis.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Editorial commitment to trust and integrity in science: implications for pain and anesthesiology research journals.lww.com/pain/fulltex...
journals.lww.com
Editorial commitment to trust and integrity in science:... : PAIN
An abstract is unavailable.
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Journal of Clinical Epidemiology @jclinepi.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Assessing the feasibility and impact of clinical trial trustworthiness checks via an application to Cochrane Reviews: Stage 2 of the INSPECT-SR project - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology www.jclinepi.com/article/S089...
jclinepi.com
Assessing the feasibility and impact of clinical trial trustworthiness checks via an application to Cochrane Reviews: Stage 2 of the INSPECT-SR project
The aim of the INSPECT-SR project is to develop a tool to identify problematic RCTs in systematic reviews. In Stage 1 of the project, a list of potential trustworthiness checks was created. The checks...
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Jennifer Byrne @jabyrnesci.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
International #ResearchIntegrity conference taking place in beautiful Sydney Australia on 16-18 November 2025 🐨 🌏 Great speakers including @elisabethbik.bsky.social @jdwilko.bsky.social @jasonchin.bsky.social For more info contact @simongandevia.bsky.social 🧪
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Simon Gandevia @simongandevia.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
International Research Integrity Conference. I am arranging this in Sydney in November 16-18th 2025. researchintegrityconf.com Note the excellent speaker list. Contact me!
researchintegrityconf.com
International Research Integrity Conference | 17-18 November 2025, Sydney, Australia
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
www.bmj.com/content/389/... "Evidence from 68 systematic reviews with conclusions distorted by retracted trials was used in 157 guideline documents."
bmj.com
Investigating the impact of trial retractions on the healthcare evidence ecosystem (VITALITY Study I): retrospective cohort study
Objective To investigate the impact of retracted trials on the production and use of healthcare evidence in the evidence ecosystem. Design Retrospective cohort study based on forward citation searchi...
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Updated @iasp.bsky.social NeuPSIG systematic review & guideline for treatment of neuropathic pain now published in @thelancetneuro.bsky.social. A privilege to contribute to this project, brilliantly led by @nadiasoliman.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/S147...
doi.org
Redirecting
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Inclusion of Retracted Studies in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Interventions jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Inclusion of Retracted Studies in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Interventions
This systematic review and meta-analysis identifies reports of systematic reviews that included retracted studies in their meta-analyses, and assesses the impact of these retracted studies on the resu...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
File under “Never take the company’s word for it” www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
thelancet.com
Misleading marketing claims fuel tapentadol prescriptions
German drugmaker Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked. Madlen Davies, Hristio Boytchev, and Rafael Cabrera report.
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
@iasp.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
What are the benefits and harms of antidepressants for low back pain and spine‐related leg pain? Find out in our Cochrane review, published today: doi.org/10.1002/1465...
doi.org
Antidepressants for low back pain and spine‐related leg pain - Ferraro, MC - 2025 | Cochrane Library
Select your preferred language for Cochrane reviews and other content. Sections without translation will be in English.
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Fantastic to make the front cover of @journalofpain with the featured article “Enhancing the trustworthiness of pain research: A call to action” www.jpain.org/article/S152... It’s open access so get downloading!
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Nick Chartres, PhD @nickchartres.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Great article on the launch of our new Center to End Corporate Harm at @ucsf-prhe.bsky.social by @lizagross.bsky.social Through empirical investigations, our work will aim to prevent the leading risk factor for death and disease globally. bit.ly/434MfqU
bit.ly
Lethal Greed: How Corporate Manipulation of Science and Regulation Makes People Sick - Inside Climate News
Scientists launch a new research center to study what they say is now a leading disease risk factor: corporations.
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Building trust in pain research - a webinar describing the ENTRUST-PE project, March 7th: europeanpainfederation.eu/efic-webinars/
europeanpainfederation.eu
Webinars
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EQUATOR Network @equatornetwork.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Need help on reporting your factorial trial? Then this new paper in the @bmj.com provides lots of great advice and examples. www.bmj.com/content/388/... #transparency #RCTs
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Florian Naudet @floriannaudet.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
« Incomplete reporting of adverse events in duloxetine trials: a meta-research survey of randomized controlled trials versus placebo » with a great group of colleagues including JC Roy and P Rolland who were great chiefs resident in Rennes Iniversity hospital.. new paper in @jclinepi.bsky.social.
jclinepi.com
Incomplete reporting of adverse events in duloxetine trials: a meta-research survey of randomized controlled trials versus placebo
Relying on published data alone might be insufficient for meta-analyses to be reliable and trustworthy since selective outcome reporting is common, especially for adverse events. We investigated the e...
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Nick Chartres, PhD @nickchartres.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Today we launched The Center to End Corporate Harm, which will illuminate and counteract corporate influence on #science, the regulatory & #policy process leading to improved #health & health equity. Read about the strategic aims of the Center in the blog 👇
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
New @IASP_MESISIG webinar alert. Join us on January 29, 2025 Wed 2:30 PM EST to learn about Enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity In Pain Research. We have excellent speakers and it will be a great session. Register here: www.pathlms.com/iasp/webinar...
pathlms.com
Enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity In Pain Research | IASP
This webinar is being produced by the International Association for the Study of Pain's Methodology, Evidence Synthesis, and...
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
There has been a lot of discussion around how to assess trustworthiness of research studies (including investigation of fraud). Some thoughts on this below, to appear in @jclinepi.bsky.social - with @davidit.bsky.social : www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
How should we assess trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials?
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Nice write up of our study applying potential trustworthiness checks to RCTs in 50 Cochrane Reviews in Nature by @richvn.bsky.social : www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Giant study finds untrustworthy trials pollute gold-standard medical reviews
Two-year collaboration aims to create tools to help counter the tide of flawed research.
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Nick Chartres, PhD @nickchartres.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Our world first systematic review of the health harms of #microplastics was published today. We concluded that microplastics are “suspected” to harm human #reproductive, #digestive, and #respiratory health, with a suggested link to colon and lung #cancer. www.thenewlede.org/2024/12/bewa...
thenewlede.org
Beware the air you breathe - more evidence links microplastics to health problems
By Carey Gillam People diagnosed with infertility and certain cancers may have to blame the very air they breathe, according to a new report that adds to evidence that tiny plastic particles in air p...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Evidence or Marketing? Check out our comment (no letter to the editor option for JAMA Network Open) about this problematic industry funded review of spinal cord stimulation. With @mcferraro.bsky.social and @adriantraeger jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Spinal Cord Stimulation vs Medical Management for Chronic Back and Leg Pain
This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy associated with conventional and novel spinal cord stimulation therapies compared with conventional medical management.
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
How can we reduce the spread of retracted pain research? Our Journal of Pain commentary proposes a potential solution: doi.org/10.1016/j.jpai… @nadiasoliman.bsky.social
doi.org
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Are you interested in enhancing the trustworthiness of research in pain (or health generally). Our ENTRUST-PE White Paper is a good long read on this osf.io/preprints/os...
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
How can we reduce the spread of retracted pain research? Our Journal of Pain commentary proposes a potential solution: doi.org/10.1016/j.jpai… @nadiasoliman.bsky.social
doi.org
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Nick Chartres, PhD @nickchartres.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Please join my talk tomorrow, 26/11 at 12pm AEST 'Using Internal Industry Documents to Address the 21st Century Vector of Disease; Corporate Influence (#chemicals, #tobacco, #UPFs) on Science, Health & Democracy' at The University of Sydney. uni-sydney.zoom.us/j/89245914291 Meeting ID: 892 4591 4291
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Michael Ferraro @mcferraro.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Privileged to have contributed to this project—please share widely. Amazing leadership from @neiloconnell.bsky.social
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Wonderfully led by @neiloconnell.bsky.social - let's enhance the trustworthiness of pain research: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Enhancing the trustworthiness of pain research: A call to action.
The personal, social and economic burden of chronic pain is enormous. Tremendous research efforts are being directed toward understanding, preventing,…
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Florian Naudet @floriannaudet.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Super happy to share HERE our new analysis paper in @bmj.com "Fragile promise of psychedelics in psychiatry" with Cédric Lemarchand,Raphaël Chopin,Morgane Paul, Alain Braillon, Lisa Cosgrove, @ioanaacristea.bsky.social , @eikofried.bsky.social and @eturnermd1.bsky.social. www.bmj.com/content/387/...
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