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Neil O’Connell

@neiloconnell.bsky.social
413 followers 755 following 79 posts

Physio, Professor, BBQer. Editor @cochrane. Views are my own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Brunel University/ Cochrane Interested in trustworthy evidence: entrust-pe.org

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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
INSPECT-SR has been endorsed for use by Cochrane, who co-developed the tool: www.cochrane.org/about-us/new...
cochrane.org
New tool helps researchers spot problematic trials before they distort evidence | Cochrane
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
The Cochrane Collaboration @cochrane.org · 24/09/2026
INSPECT-SR – a tool for assessing the trustworthiness of randomized controlled trials – has been published today in @bmj.com, giving researchers a structured way to identify problematic studies before they're included in systematic reviews. 🔗 www.cochrane.org/about-us/new... #ResearchIntegrity
“Systematic reviews are only as credible as the studies they include.” — phrased as a Cochrane senior research integrity editor; a magnifying glass rests on stacked papers in the background to emphasize careful scrutiny of research.
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Jack Wilkinson @jdwilko.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The integrity of evidence synthesis is threatened by problematic randomised controlled trials. These may be fraudulent, or subject to critical errors. INSPECT-SR is a tool to assess trustworthiness of RCTs - out today: www.bmj.com/content/394/...
bmj.com
INSPECT-SR tool for assessing trustworthiness of randomised controlled trials
The integrity of evidence synthesis is threatened by problematic randomised controlled trials, where there are serious concerns about the trustworthiness of the data or findings. Such concerns could b...
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
The Journal of Pain @thejournalofpain.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Review: A scoping review of 175 studies led by Drs. Bond, @neiloconnell.bsky.social et al. found emerging evidence of altered sensory, motor and body perception processing in chronic pelvic pain, but major gaps remain FREE:https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(26)00161-6/fulltext
jpain.org
https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(26)00161-6/fulltext
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
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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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
I, a human, wrote and drew this cartoon with my human body and sent it to human art printers who printed it with their human hands and you a human (?) can now buy a ltd edition print of it in my shop! Link in bio
[Scene is a kitchen, a person is boiling some peas on the hob]

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PERSON 1:
Oh dear! 

PERSON 2:
What is it babe?

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PERSON 1:
I am so overwhelmed with cooking these peas...

PERSON 2:
You mean you’re not using AI peas?

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PERSON 1:
AI peas?

PERSON 2:
They’re peas with AI!

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PERSON 2:
AI powered peas harness the potential of your peas

PERSON 1:
What

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PERSON 2 [Now in voice-over as hi tech meaningless graphics play]:

Taking your peas to the next level with new AI features powering your peas

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PERSON 2 [V/O over increasingly ridiculous graphics]:
Each pea has AI in a way we haven’t quite worked out yet but it’s fine

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PERSON 2:
Putting  AI to work for your peas and connecting every corner of your peas
 
PERSON 1:
Peas don’t have corners 

PERSON 2:
It does not matter!

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PERSON 2:
Our game-changing PEA-AI gives you the freedom to get the peas done 

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PERSON 2:
From opening the bag of peas
to boiling the peas
to eating the peas

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PERSON 2:
to spending millions on adding AI to the peas and then having to work out what that means

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PERSON 1:
Is it necessary to - 

PERSON 2 [grabbing her buy the cardigan]:
THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI, JANET

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[Advert ending image showing the product, a bag of peas, with its slogan]

PEA-I AI PEAS WITH AI

Just ‘peas’ for God’s sake buy the AI peas


[Ends]
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Rebecca Sear @rebeccasear.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
"If the research community truly wants healthy, trustworthy research, it must start by creating healthier, more trustworthy research environments. Because - although this may represent a significant shift in perspective for many - the bad barrel makes bad apples"
publicationethics.org
Guest editorial: Research culture and its impact on integrity
Renata Veselska examines how personal accountability can be shaped by the institutional context. The editorial highlights key factors needed to foster supportive, integrity-driven research cultures.
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
www.linkedin.com/posts/neil-o...
linkedin.com
Join us for the first International Association for the Study of Pain MESISIG contribution to the Pain Research Forum Journal Club series where I will be discussing the new ISHOOS consensus… | Neil O&...
Join us for the first International Association for the Study of Pain MESISIG contribution to the Pain Research Forum Journal Club series where I will be discussing the new ISHOOS consensus recommenda...
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) @iasp.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Neil O’Connell, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), will address the critical issue of scientific rigor and reproducibility in pain research in his #2026WorldCongressonPain Plenary Lecture. Register to attend sessions from the world's leading experts on pain: bit.ly/4e0fErL
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
WEBINAR ALERT! Our next IASP Global Year Webinar is on 27th May 8 am EDT. Identification and Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain: From Evidence to Best Practice. Great speakers and registration is free! perc.iasp-pain.org/products/ide... @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social
perc.iasp-pain.org
International Association for the Study of Pain: Identification and Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain: From Evidence to Best Practice.
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
WEBINAR ALERT! Our next IASP Global Year Webinar is on 27th May 8 am EDT. Identification and Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain: From Evidence to Best Practice. Great speakers and registration is free! perc.iasp-pain.org/products/ide... @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social
perc.iasp-pain.org
International Association for the Study of Pain: Identification and Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain: From Evidence to Best Practice.
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
NHS Research Scotland Pain Network @nrs-pain.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
We welcome you to Dundee on the 4th of December to learn about the latest pain research in Scotland and to hear from our keynote speakers Annina B Schmid @anninaschmid.bsky.social and Neil O'Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social Call for abstracts and registration will open in August! #painresearch
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Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Too many students are convinced by their own universities, by some of their teachers and professors, and by the AI companies themselves that ‘using ai to study is getting ahead of the game’ But the process they seek to get ahead of is the point.
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Erick Turner @eturnermd1.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
BMJ Open article: "Substantial undisclosed financial COIs were identified among the top 10 earners in high-impact psychiatry journals." bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...
bmjopen.bmj.com
Undisclosed financial conflicts of interest among physician-authors in leading US psychiatry journals: a cross-sectional study
Objective To assess the prevalence and magnitude of undisclosed financial conflicts of interest (COIs) among physician-authors in high-impact US-based psychiatry journals. Design Cross-sectional stud...
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Pain Research Forum @painresforum.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Did you know @iasp.bsky.social’s #GlobalYear2026 is about neuropathic pain? Listen to the newest episode of Pain Exchange, featuring President Andrew Rice, @lampertlab.bsky.social, and @neiloconnell.bsky.social speaking about the goals of the campaign and more bit.ly/49S5XsZ
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Mark A. Hanson @hansonmark.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
We've got ISSUES. Literally. We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do? arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563 A 🧵 1/n
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International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) @iasp.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The 2026 IASP Global Year will focus on neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain affects millions worldwide and can cause serious disability and reduced quality of life. IASP’s 2026 Global Year explores its challenges and best practices in diagnosis and treatment. #GlobalYear2026 bit.ly/49eE3Y1
Global Year 2026
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
The Cochrane Collaboration @cochrane.org · 19/01/2026
There is no clear evidence that cannabis-based medicines provide pain relief for chronic neuropathic pain, an updated Cochrane review finds. Read more here: www.cochrane.org/about-us/new...
Image with Cochrane logo and text stating no clear evidence that cannabis-based medicines relieve chronic nerve pain. Below, a person in a white blouse, holding a brown pill bottle, stands beside green plants.
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Richard Riley (R²) @richarddriley.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
** NEW PAPER in BMJ ** "AMSTAR-PF: a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews of prognostic factor studies" Allows the quality of prognostic factor reviews to be examined. Brilliantly led by Michael L Henry. www.bmj.com/content/391/...
bmj.com
AMSTAR-PF: a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews of prognostic factor studies
The ability to predict the onset or natural history of an illness, or how people may respond to a treatment, guides clinical decision making. These predictions are commonly based on prognostic factors...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
@campbellreviews.bsky.social @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Did you ask Santa for a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews of prognostic factor studies? The new AMSTAR-PF tool is now published in @bmj.com www.bmj.com/content/391/... Excellent work from Michael Henry @UNISA driving this project. @cochranesmg.bsky.social @jbiebhc.bsky.social
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
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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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Dorothy Bishop @deevybee.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Noteworthy that of the 2 institutional representatives, one thought there weren’t enough cases for an independent agency, other worried they’d be overwhelmed
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Nice summary of advances in pain research in 2025 just out in Lancet Neurology: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... Great to see ENTRUST-PE get a solid nod! entrust-pe.org
thelancet.com
Advances in pain research in 2025 illuminate the complexities of neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain affects about 9% of adults and is driven by a variety of conditions, most notably diabetic neuropathy.1 The bio-psycho-social burden of neuropathic pain is key to recognising chronic ...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
As an accompaniment to this new perspective piece on measuring harms in pain research, the recording of our webinar "Assessing harms in pain research" is now available. @iasp.bsky.social @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social @britishpainsoc.bsky.social perc.iasp-pain.org/methodology-...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Our recent and excellent @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social webinar "Optimising Openness and Transparency in Pain Research" is now free to view here perc.iasp-pain.org/methodology-...
perc.iasp-pain.org
International Association for the Study of Pain: Methodology, Evidence Synthesis, And Implementation (MESISIG)
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
New systematic review focused on amputation for complex regional pain syndrome and briliantly led by @yannickgilanyi.bsky.social from UNSW and Neura sciencedirect.com/science/arti... HT @iasp.bsky.social @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social @britishpainsoc.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social @usasp.bsky.social
sciencedirect.com
Amputation for complex regional pain syndrome: a systematic review
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disabling pain condition, usually confined to a single limb. Amputation of the affected limb is sometimes p…
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
The British Pain Society @britishpainsoc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
🚨 BPS Endorses the ENTRUST-PE Framework The British Pain Society is proud to endorse ENTRUST-PE – a framework boosting the trustworthiness, transparency, and rigor of pain research. 🔗Read more: m.entrust-pe.org
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Methods, Evidence Synthesis and Implementation SIG @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
youtu.be/_zephafiitk?...
youtu.be
What's the point of pain? | BBC Ideas
YouTube video by BBC Ideas
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Great to see the OPTIMETH framework for optimising clinical trials in CRPS, brilliantly led by Keith Smart from @ucddublin.bsky.social now out in @painreports.bsky.social journals.lww.com/painrpts/ful... @britishpainsoc.bsky.social @efic.bsky.social @iasp.bsky.social @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social
journals.lww.com
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Methods, Evidence Synthesis and Implementation SIG @iasp-mesisig.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
MESISIG is now on BlueSky. We've migrated who we follow 9as far as possible) from X but do please follow us back. We promise all things methodology and pain research!
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Sense about Science @senseaboutsci.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Registration and reporting will become mandatory for all clinical trials next year. It's good to see many trial sponsors already delivering on this, but with clear @hralatest.bsky.social guidance, no excuse for anyone not to be transparent about results #AllTrials www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and...
hra.nhs.uk
Guidance on changes to the clinical trials regulations
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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
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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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
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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Reposted by Neil O’Connell
Peer Community In @peercommunityin.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
📣 Save the date for the 12th PCI webinar on September 18, 2025, at 4 PM CET!! Dorothy Bishop (@deevybee.bsky.social) will present "Editors matter: How negligent publishers subvert quality control in scientific publishing ". For more details and registration, visit:
peercommunityin.org
PCI Webinar Series - Peer Community In
The PCI webinar series is a series of seminars on research practices, publication practices, evaluation, scientific integrity, meta-research, organised by Peer Community In
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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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Massi(e)h Moayedi — مسیح مویدی @massih.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
The ENTRUST-Pain Evidence (Entrust-PE) is an important initiative to ensure that pain science is of high quality. Framework published in J Pain. Endorsed by @iasp.bsky.social & @efic.bsky.social. More here: m.entrust-pe.org #pain
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The Journal of Pain @thejournalofpain.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
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: www.jpain.org/article/S152...
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eraneuron.bsky.social @eraneuron.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Led by Prof. Neil O’Connell and funded by ERA-Net NEURON, ENTRUST-PE brought together an international network to co-create a new framework for trustworthy pain research. Learn more: entrust-pe.org #ENTRUSTPE #ChronicPain #ResearchIntegrity #EquityInResearch #PainResearch #NEURON #SuccessStory #RRI
neuron-eranet.eu
ENTRUST-PE: A New Framework for Trustworthy Pain Research - ERA-NET NEURON
NEURON’s Role and Reflections from the First Networking Call The success of ENTRUST-PE also reflects the value of ERA-Net NEURON’s strategic focus on networking and community building. The Networking ...
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JAMA @jama.com · 10/08/2025
📌 The SPIRIT 2025 statement updates the guidelines for randomized trial protocols to enhance their completeness, transparency, and consistency, benefiting stakeholders involved in clinical research. ja.ma/4fzMVZS
Figure.  SPIRIT 2025 Diagram of the Schedule of Enrollment, Interventions, and Assessments
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Nick Sheppard @nickshepp.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Excellent, insightful conversation on the What the REF podcast between @simonhettrick.bsky.social and Marcus Munafo (@ukrepro.bsky.social) covering REF, open and transparent research and research culture (also rowing) youtu.be/uHRQjNqY6CY
youtu.be
Ep3. What the REF are our research incentives?
YouTube video by Hidden REF
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
An expression of concern for an RCT 2 years after we raised concerns around the trustworthiness of the data. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40709807/ this trial influences guidelines www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Group-Based Task-Oriented Exercises Aimed at Managing Kinesiophobia Improved Disability in Chronic Low Back Pain - PubMed
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Group-Based Task-Oriented Exercises Aimed at Managing Kinesiophobia Improved Disability in Chronic Low Back Pain
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Be angry
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Johannes Gierschner @gierschner.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
👉Predatory Conference Check List 👈 ...based on my experience in detecting difficult cases, I did my own list for our group, as I was missing some points in those available... anyway, I'm happy to get suggestions etc. #researchintegrity #PredatoryConference download: www.uv.es/jogiers/pdf/...
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Pain Research Forum @painresforum.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Have you wanted to understand what is meant by “trustworthy” research? Attend this #webinar TODAY to hear from @davidhosch.bsky.social, @neiloconnell.bsky.social, @jdwilko.bsky.social, @nadiasoliman.bsky.social, @lesleyuttley.bsky.social bit.ly/4kSQjjy
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Nice piece from Nadia Soliman and Michael Ferraro in MJA Insight on the state of the evidence for the management of neuropathic pain: insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/28/neur...
insightplus.mja.com.au
Neuropathic pain: our best treatments still fall short - InSight+
Despite a large body of new evidence, our best treatments for neuropathic pain continue to provide only modest benefits. Neuropathic pain is a common and disabling condition caused by injury or diseas...
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Neil O’Connell @neiloconnell.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
A Call for Reckoning and Reform in Interventional Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation Research www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
A Call for Reckoning and Reform in Interventional Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation Research
Published in Journal of Pain Research (Vol. 18, No. , 2025)
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